Niagara IceDogs - Feed

TWO ICEDOGS NAMED TO NHLCS FINAL DRAFT RANKINGS

Denice Pepe — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:02:53 +0000

NIAGARA, ONT — Niagara IceDogs players Ryan Roobroeck and Vladislav Yermolenko have been named in the NHL Central Scouting North American Final Draft rankings. Roobroeck was listed 28th overall for North American Skaters, where Yermolenko was listed as 17th overall for North American Goaltenders. Roobroeck is the ninth-ranked OHL player on the list, with Yermolenko as the fifth-ranked OHL goaltender on the list. Roobroeck, whose season ended early with a lower-body injury, still put up a strong performance for the IceDogs. Roobroeck’s impressive third campaign with the IceDogs saw him finish second in points (58), Second in scoring (30G), and third in assists (28A) in just 49 games played. Of his 30 goals, Roobroeck leads the way with ten power-play goals. The IceDogs selected Roobroeck second overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, and he is poised for success at the next level. The 6’4” Forward from London, Ont, has made a name for himself as a highly skilled 2026 NHL Draft prospect known as a "natural goal scorer" with an elite, heavy shot and power. Roobroeck projects as a top-line power forward with excellent offensive vision and a refined, high-volume shooting ability. NHL Central Scouting also recognized IceDogs rookie goaltender, Vladislav Yermolenko. The Belurusian was selected in the second round (87th overall) in the 2025 OHL Import Draft. The rookie netminder posted an impressive first OHL season, playing 45 regular-season games and earning the start in five OHL Playoff games. Yermolenko has a 3.50 GAA, 0.896 SV%, and has marked one shutout. Known for his hockey IQ and puck-handling, every move Yermolenko has made in the crease was calculated and explosive, making impressive saves night in and night out. These rankings feature the best skaters and goalies playing in North America, who are eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, New York. The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is set to start on Friday, June 26, and continue into Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Buffalo, New York.

IceDogs Announce Mutual Parting of Ways with General Manager Frank Evola

Denice Pepe — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:30:59 +0000

NIAGARA, ONT – The Niagara IceDogs announced today that the club and General Manager Frank Evola have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately. The news comes following Evola’s desire to pursue other professional opportunities. Both parties agreed that stepping away was the best course of action. This transition has been made with the full awareness of the Ontario Hockey League. “We are grateful for his time with the organization. We wish him the best of luck on the next chapter of his career,” says Darren DeDobbelaer, Owner and Governor of the IceDogs. A new General Manager for the Niagara IceDogs will be announced in the near future.

-30-

Patterson Assigned to the Abbotsford Canucks

Denice Pepe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:45:06 +0000

ST CATHARINES, ONT - Following the conclusion of the Niagara IceDogs season, the Vancouver Canucks have assigned IceDogs star forward Riley Patterson to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, for the remainder of the season. Patterson is coming off his best OHL season to date, notching his first 40-goal campaign and totaling 84 points. This was Patterson’s first year with the IceDogs after spending the previous two seasons playing for the Barrie Colts. Patterson led the IceDogs in goals, assists, and points, finishing 10th in the OHL in points and third in goals. Patterson also led the team in the playoffs with eight points (4G, 4A) in their five-game series against the Colts. Patterson was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and signed his Entry-Level Contract this past September. Patterson is set to make his AHL debut with the Abbotsford Canucks, who have four games remaining in the 2025-26 season. Patterson finished off his junior hockey career with 205 points in 192 games. Best of luck in Abbotsford, Riley!

IceDogs Captain Ethan Czata Reassigned to Syracuse Crunch

Denice Pepe — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:11:55 +0000

ST CATHARINES, ONT - The Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned IceDogs captain Ethan Czata to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. Czata, 18, joins the Crunch, who sit in eighth place in the AHL and have five games remaining in the 2025-26 season, and was drafted in the second round (56th overall) in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft by the Lightning. In July of 2025, Czata signed his Entry-Level Contract with Tampa. The re-assignment comes following Czata’s first season as the IceDogs captain, where he recorded 53 points in 63 games, reaching 25 goals for the first time in his OHL career. In the IceDogs' first-round playoff series, Czata had one goal in three games.

Homegrown Leader Grayson Tiller Embraces Final OHL Season with IceDogs

Denice Pepe — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:22:48 +0000

IceDogs and Co. Donate $1000 to Humane Society

Denice Pepe — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:52:44 +0000

Join Us for our Playoff Watch Party at Parkway Social

Denice Pepe — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:01:05 +0000

Playoff hockey is here — and there’s no better place to catch the action than with us.

Join us for our Official Niagara IceDogs Watch Party at Parkway Social as we Let 'Em Out and kick off the IceDogs Playoffs!

📅 Thursday, March 26 | 7:00 PM (Game 1) 📅 Saturday, March 28 | 7:30 PM (Game 2)

Parkway Social

327 Ontario St, St. Catharines

We’re bringing the energy, and we want YOU there to rally behind the team, show your spirit, and cheer loudly with fellow fans.

What Dog Country can expect:

Playoff t-shirts available for purchase

Intermission trivia hosted by Rod Mawhood, the voice of Niagara

Playoff ticket giveaways

A fun, high-energy game day atmosphere

Let’s pack Parkway Social and show what IceDogs fans are all about as we push into the playoffs.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Go Dogs Go!

Questions? Please reach out to info@niagaraicedogs.net.

IceDogs OA’s Shine in Final Regular-Season Game

Denice Pepe — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:42:58 +0000

By Nathan Mielke ST CATHARINES, ONT -- The Niagara IceDogs won a barnburner in overtime against the Erie Otters to win the final game of the regular season with big nights from all three overagers. The IceDogs entered the game coming off an overtime win the previous night over their first-round opponent, the Barrie Colts. The overtime winner came courtesy of rookie sensation Ryerson Edgar. Sunday's game against Erie was the overagers’ night for the IceDogs, where the team was honouring its three overagers in the final regular season game of their OHL careers. The overagers being honoured were goalie Charlie Robertson, defenceman Grayson Tiller, and defenceman Jakub Chromiak. The IceDogs looked to ride the momentum from Saturday's win into Sunday's game, but Otters forward Michael Dec was the one who started the scoring. With the IceDogs down one, Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson took it upon himself to tie the game. Patterson’s unassisted goal was his 39th of the season. Still in the first period, Ivan Galliyanov gave the IceDogs the lead on a curl and drag shot, and picking up an assist was overager Jakub Chromiak. In the second frame, Michael Dec scored first again to even the game at two. Just under a minute later, Chromiak scored his 12th of the season to restore the one-goal lead in his final regular-season game. The IceDogs took the one-goal lead into the third period, but just 41 seconds into the final period, Otters forward Andrew Kuzma scored to tie the game. Once again, Patterson responded, this time with his 40th goal of the season to finish the season in third in OHL goal scoring. Yet again, the one-goal lead would not last as the Otters bit back with a goal by Ulysses Lombardi to tie the game and shortly after a goal by Tyler Cooper to take the 5-4 lead. Luckily for the IceDogs, being down one goal in this game had not been a problem for either team. The IceDogs would continue mounting pressure until the Otters cracked when rookie Judd Knauft buried his second goal of the season. IceDogs overager Grayson Tiller picked up an assist on the tying goal to put the cherry on top of his final OHL regular-season game. This goal marked the fifth time a one-goal lead had been squandered in the game, and it would force overtime, where the IceDogs were looking for more overager magic. With just over a minute left in overtime, IceDogs overager goalie Charlie Robertson jumped on a loose puck and played it up to Patterson to spring a two-on-one for the IceDogs. Patterson found captain Ethan Czata in front, who buried the overtime-winning goal, earning Robertson his first assist of the season and his final OHL win. Jakub Chromiak, Grayson Tiller, and Charlie Robertson were honoured one final time by being named the three stars of the game after all picking up points to put a bow on their final regular seasons in the OHL. The IceDogs now shift their focus to preparing for their first-round series against the Barrie Colts. The series starts in Barrie on Thursday, March 26, and returns to Niagara for Game 3 on Tuesday, March 31. Get your tickets here: https://blocktickets.xyz/venue/niagara-icedogs-hockey-club

Series HQ: Barrie vs. Niagara

Denice Pepe — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:09:54 +0000

Barrie and Niagara meet in a tight OHL playoff rematch, with five one-goal games this season setting up a physical first-round battle.

Kick Off Playoffs with your Niagara IceDogs & Bones at Audi Niagara

Denice Pepe — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:25:44 +0000

Dog Country, get ready to celebrate the start of the OHL Playoffs with your Niagara IceDogs!

Join us on Tuesday, March 24, from 5:00–6:00 PM at Audi Niagara for a special Meet & Greet featuring select IceDogs players and everyone’s favourite mascot, Bones.

This is your chance to get up close with the team as they gear up for an exciting playoff run. Fans will have the opportunity to: Meet IceDogs players and Bones Get autographs and photo ops with members of the Team

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just looking for a fun family outing, this is the perfect way to kick off playoff season and show your support for your Niagara IceDogs.

Don’t miss out — we’ll see you at Audi Niagara on March 24!