2026-27 Season Preview: Niagara IceDogs
The Niagara IceDogs enter the 2026-27 season looking to take another step forward after finishing last year with a 32-30-4-2 record, good for seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Niagara returned to the postseason but saw its run come to an end in the opening round, falling to the Barrie Colts in five games.
There will be a much different look around Dog Country this season following plenty of change both on and off the ice. The IceDogs underwent significant roster turnover over the summer, including moving two of their biggest offensive pieces, Ethan Czata and Ryan Roobroeck, to the Guelph Storm. In return, however, Niagara added several new faces while continuing to build around a young group that will have opportunities to take on larger roles.
The organization also enters a new chapter under General Manager Dale DeGray and Head Coach Jake Grimes. DeGray took over hockey operations earlier this offseason after a lengthy tenure with the Owen Sound Attack, while Grimes brings plenty of OHL experience behind the bench, including being part of Saginaw’s 2024 Memorial Cup championship.
Starting Six:
* The Starting Six does not represent a projected lineup, but instead highlights six key players to watch entering the 2026-27 season.
FORWARD | Ryerson Edgar
2025-26: 64 GP, 23G, 26A, 49 PTS
Coming off an impressive rookie season, Ryerson Edgar will be counted on to take another step and become one of Niagara’s leaders this year. The 2025 10th overall pick made an immediate impression last year, recording a hat trick and an assist in just his second OHL game before going on to finish the season with 49 points in 64 contests. Edgar also recently represented Canada at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording three goals and five points in five games. Eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, the University of Michigan commit brings a strong work ethic to an IceDogs group that will look to him to lead in several different areas this season.
FORWARD | Noah Read
2025-26: 60 GP, 11G, 11A, 22 PTS
Noah Read returns for his first full season with the IceDogs after being acquired from the London Knights early in the year. After settling into his new surroundings, Read recorded 20 points over 50 games with the IceDogs. A third-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old brings another year of experience to Niagara’s forward group and will have an opportunity to take on a larger role following the team’s offseason turnover.
FORWARD | Wil McFadden
2025-26: 62 GP, 11G, 30A, 41 PTS
Wil McFadden joins the IceDogs after spending the first three seasons of his OHL career with the Guelph Storm. Acquired by Niagara during the offseason, the 19-year-old is coming off a career-best season that saw him record 41 points in 62 games. McFadden will be looked to as one of the team’s go-to players offensively, bringing experience and playmaking ability to this new-look forward group.
DEFENCEMAN | Blake Barnes
2025-26: 46 GP, 1G, 9A, 10 PTS
Blake Barnes enters his second OHL season with plenty of confidence after making an impression as a rookie with the IceDogs. Joining Niagara as a free agent in October, Barnes quickly worked his way into the lineup and went on to record 10 points in 46 games from the blue line. Committed to Boston University for the 2027-28 season, Barnes will look to build on that experience and take another step as part of Niagara’s defence corps this year.
DEFENCEMAN | Liam Spencer
2025-26: 60 GP, 2G, 7A, 9 PTS
Liam Spencer returns to Niagara for his overage season as one of the more experienced players on the IceDogs’ blue line. After appearing in 60 games last season, the 20-year-old will be counted on for more than just his play on the ice. Once he returns to the lineup, Spencer will be an important presence both on the blue line and in the dressing room for Niagara.
GOALTENDER | Vlad Yermolenko
2025-26: 45 GP, 3.50 GAA, .896 SV%
Vlad Yarmolenko returns between the pipes after taking on a significant workload during his first OHL season. Selected by Niagara in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Yarmolenko appeared in 45 regular-season games as a rookie before getting the start in all five of the IceDogs’ playoff contests. Ranked 17th among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Belarusian netminder now enters his second season with plenty of experience to build on as Niagara’s returning starter.
Breakout Watch:
2025-26 (Ayr Centennials): 45 GP, 17G, 29A, 46 PTS
Carter Lewandowski is one of the new faces joining Niagara after being acquired from the Guelph Storm during the offseason. Originally selected in the second round of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, Lewandowski spent most of last season with the Ayr Centennials, recording 46 points in 45 games while also making his OHL debut and appearing in six games with Guelph. His strong season also earned him a spot in the GOHL Top Prospects Game as part of the OHL’s Connor McDavid Top Prospects event.
“After playing a full year in the GOHL and a handful of games with Guelph, we are looking for Carter to use his size and his overall hockey sense and skill to add to this group of youngsters.” – General Manager, Dale DeGray
Layne Gallacher – C
2025-26: 53 GP, 10G, 20A, 30 PTS
Layne Gallacher is another offseason addition who will have an opportunity to take on a larger role with the IceDogs. Acquired from Guelph, Gallacher is coming off a strong rookie season that saw him record 30 points in 53 games while splitting time between the Brantford Bulldogs and Storm. He also participated in the OHL’s Connor McDavid Top Prospects event.
“Layne had a solid campaign as a first-year OHL player last season, splitting his time in Brantford and Guelph. Layne is a complete 200-foot player who has a nose for the net.” – General Manager, Dale DeGray
Connor Haffner – G
2025-26 (Burlington Cougars): 26 GP, 2.95 GAA, .917 SV%
Connor Haffner will be one of the young goaltenders to watch as he looks to make the jump to the OHL this season. Originally selected by Niagara in the fifth round of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, the 16-year-old impressed with the Burlington Cougars last year, posting a 14-6-5 record, a 2.95 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage across 26 games. At 6-foot-4, Haffner brings plenty of size and athleticism to the position and will have an opportunity to push for starts in the IceDogs’ crease.
“A tall, lanky goalie who had an outstanding season last year in Burlington of the OJHL. We are looking for Connor to come in and push his way to getting as many starts as he can. His size and athleticism should promote him to become a number one goalie in the OHL.” – General Manager, Dale DeGray
Futures Watch:
Get to know the next wave of IceDogs’ talent by revisiting Niagara’s 2026 draft class and new additions in our Futures Watch feature.
The Outlook:
The IceDogs enter the season with plenty of opportunity throughout their lineup as they look to establish what this new group can be. With several younger players stepping into bigger roles, Niagara’s success could depend on how quickly those pieces adjust and begin contributing consistently.
There is plenty of potential to work with, particularly after several players gained valuable OHL experience last season. The challenge will be turning that potential into results and finding the consistency needed to compete night in and night out.
And maybe more than anything, this season feels like a chance for the IceDogs to finally establish what they want this group to be. After returning to the postseason last year, the goal will be to stay in that conversation while continuing to develop their young core and build a positive identity they can carry forward.
Opening Night:
Friday, September 18th
Niagara IceDogs at Brantford Bulldogs | 7:00 p.m.
Fans can catch all the action live on FloHockey.
