OHL 20 in 20 Season Preview: Niagara IceDogs

Category: ArticleSeptember 19, 2016

After a run to the OHL Championship Series last spring, the Niagara IceDogs return with an eager young group under new head coach Dave Bell.

After coming just wins away from a championship last spring, the Niagara IceDogs are back at the drawing board, devising another plan to capture the coveted OHL title that has narrowly eluded them in both 2012 and 2016.

After claiming a pair of Eastern Conference crowns over the past five seasons, the Dogs enter a new era in the Garden City, returning with a younger group on the ice and a different look behind the bench.

Long-time OHL assistant Dave Bell takes the reins as head coach and oversaw a highly competitive training camp as new faces competed for jobs.

“That’s the bright spot, the really exciting part,” said IceDogs Director of Player Personnel Joey Burke. “With so many guys moving on, there was a real drive and hunger at our camp to get noticed and earn a spot. We were left with some extremely difficult decisions and this stands out as one of the most competitive camps that we’ve ever had.”

Big names in Brendan Perlini, Josh Ho-Sang, Jordan Maletta and Vince Dunn give way to another breed of IceDogs led by 19-year-old Chicago Blackhawks prospect Graham Knott, Tampa Bay Lightning draftee Chris Paquette and the sophomore duo of Ben Jones and Hayden Davis.

Chris Paquette (@chris_paquette9) plays the same game as cousin Cedric. #NHLDraft

No. 148: https://t.co/VCEzDpBTR6 pic.twitter.com/wZpE58zskI

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 25, 2016

While Knott and Paquette will be looked to as go-to guys offensively and overage defencemen Aaron Haydon and Ryan Mantha will lead from behind, the team is particularly excited about a youth movement that is in full swing.

“We have a really solid group of 99-born players led by Jones and Davis,” said Burke. “Those two guys have done everything that’s been asked of them and have never once complained despite the circumstances as young guys on a very competitive team last season. Their positive attitude through it all really shone through and we’re really excited to see them develop together.”

New additions in 2016 CHL Import Draft selections Pavel Demin and Ondrej Machala are also 99-born talents, joining 2015 picks Cal Davis and Cameron Bisson along with local Jr. B scorer Danial Singer and 2016 fourth round pick Oliver Castleman as youth up front.

2016 first round (12th overall) pick Akil Thomas will also be one to keep tabs on. The native of Brandon, Florida recorded 72 points (33-39–72) over 56 games with the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midgets last season.

Behind 20-year-olds Haydon and Mantha, Niagara’s blue line will be a product of fierce pre-season competition as a number of names battled for a wealth of available minutes.

Hayden Davis joins offseason commitments Liam Ham, Drew Hunter and 16-year-old Justin MacPherson as a youth quartet on the back end while a mix of 18 and 19-year-olds in Willy Lochead, Austin Clapham and Johnathon Schaefer round out the defence corps.

In goal, 18-year-old Stephen Dhillon will have his time to shine this season after seeing limited time in the crease over the past two years. The Buffalo, NY, native is attending training camp with the Detroit Red Wings this week.

“Steve has a great work ethic and has a great rapport with goaltending coach Ryan Ludzik,” said Burke. “He’s very focused on his game and it’s going to be his job to run with this season. He did a great job in a backup role last season and we fully expect that he’ll be able to handle more responsibility moving forward.”

The IceDogs are pleased to announce that Dave Bell has been selected as the fourth head coach in franchise history. https://t.co/3Y7BP0Zk1D

— Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) May 27, 2016

While his job as the head coach of one of the youngest teams in the OHL won’t be an easy one, Dave Bell is looking forward to the challenge.

The Wiarton native played under Brian Kilrea with the Ottawa 67’s from 1994-98 before a 12-year coaching career that has seen him serve stints as an assistant in Owen Sound, Barrie and Sudbury as well as two seasons in the American Hockey League.

“It’s a fresh slate,” he told Bill Potrecz of the St. Catharines Standard. “A brand new piece of paper where there are 13 guys who don’t know what happened here last year. It’s not change for them, it’s just brand new. They don’t know anything else from this organization.”

With so many young players, Bell wants to convey the message that trust and responsibility in Niagara is earned and not given.

“It’s a privilege to play in the league,” he said. “I’m not giving it to you. I slugged it out for 12 years to get this job. The word earn is going to be used a lot this year. I don’t owe you a favour, I don’t owe you anything. Nothing is given to you.”

While such drastic turnover is tough on any team, the IceDogs and the litter of new pups in Niagara will do their best to grind out some tough points and strive to have a playoff presence in the Eastern Conference.

2015-16 Record: 35-26-4-3 (3rd Central Division)
Head Coach: Dave Bell (1st season)
Key additions: Akil Thomas, Pavel Demin, Ondrej Machala, Cameron Bisson, Ryan Smith, Oliver Castleman, Liam Ham, Justin MacPherson, Danial Singer, Drew Hunter, Joshua Dame, Matthew Philip, Jack Wieringa, Austin Clapham
Notable graduates: Alex Nedeljkovic, Brendan Perlini, Josh Ho-Sang, Vince Dunn, Jordan Maletta, Josh Wesley, Stephen Harper, Anthony DiFruscia, Pavel Jenys, Blake Siebenaler, Aleksandar Mikulovich, Tyler Boston, Matt Gillard
Leading scorer: Graham Knott* (68 GP, 12-30–42)
Leading scorer (defencemen): Ryan Mantha* (65 GP, 5-20–25)
Leading scorer (rookie): Ben Jones (61 GP, 5-4–9)
Leading goaltender: Stephen Dhillon* (24 GP, 11-6-2-2, 2.69 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO)
Fast Fact: Rookie winger Ondrej Machala scored the game winning goal to lead the Czech Republic to its first gold medal in the history of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this past summer.
#OHLOpeningWeek schedule: Fri. Sept. 23 at NB (7:00pm)