Christmas Catch Up Pt. 2

This holiday season, we’ve reconnected with a few old friends, and former IceDogs, who spent their entire careers donning the IceDogs logo. Andrew Agozzino, who captained the team from 2009-2012, and Freddie Hamilton were both key members of the IceDogs’ 2011/2012 team that captured the organization’s first Eastern Conference Championship title (2011), and set the tone for the success that the organization hopes to continue.

While recounting some stand-out memories from their time with the team, both Hamilton and Agozzino couldn’t rave enough about the atmosphere that the fans provided within the arena. At that time, the IceDogs were playing out of the Jack Gatecliff Arena – which they played in until 2014. It was the atmosphere in the Jack that made playing for the IceDogs all the more exciting, as Hamilton noted. “A lot of teams, I’ve heard from other guys, hated playing there (the Jack) with our fans. It was so much fun”. Further to the environment the fans created in the arena, the way IceDogs fans rallied together during the many playoff runs Hamilton and Agozzino took part in made playing for the organization all the more special. Hamilton also mentioned that he could still remember those moments vividly. “I still remember when we made those playoff runs at the Jack. The place was bumping, it was so loud”.

For Agozzino, it was the support of the fans during the 2011/2012 OHL Championship run that helped to make his final season in the OHL all the more special. “The way the city came together and supported us was really amazing. Seeing the city so excited was a huge motivator for the team the entire season”. To him, that final year will always be one that sticks out in his memory.

Aside from the incredible support of their fans, Agozzino and Hamilton couldn’t help but mention the support of all those involved with the Niagara IceDogs as playing a major factor when thinking back on their time in the Niagara region. Agozzino and Hamilton felt very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to meet so many great people, from teammates to coaches, trainers, staff, and fans. Agozzino exclaimed that his time with the IceDogs, and in the Niagara community is still one of the highlights of his hockey career. According to Freddie Hamilton, “Niagara (is) a great place to play – we all had a lot of fun playing there”.

*Andrew Agozzino, a former captain of the Niagara IceDogs, is currently playing for the Chicago Wolves (AHL)

*Freddie Hamilton is currently playing for the Calgary Flames (NHL)