IceDogs off to their first (4-0) start in franchise history. Photo Credit: IceDogs.net
Ben Boudreau might not go as far as calling the start to the Niagara IceDogs, Ontario Hockey League (OHL)season a dream, but it’s certainly been a surreal one.
The IceDogs are off to their first (4-0) start in franchise history, are the only undefeated team in the entire Canadian Hockey League (CHL) (60 teams across Canada) and just defeated the top ranked major junior team in Canada, the Brampton Steelheads, 7-3 Sunday at home.
Oh, and did I mention Winnipeg Jets draft pick and IceDogs forward Kevin He was just named OHL player of the week after notching the hat-trick and six points in Sunday’s victory.
What made the win even more impressive over Brampton was the fact the Steelheads scored just 18 seconds into the game. Last season, and in years past, that goal would have deflated the Dogs’ – not so in 2024.
The team has trailed in three of their four victories thus far.
“Look back to the start of the season and we’ve had different players step up every single night, and that’s why we’ve been preaching the team concept first, and so far it’s worked out,” Boudreau said.
He now leads the team with 11 points on the season.
“Kevin is on another level right now,” said Boudreau. “He’s been a difference maker in every single game”
Before being sent back to Niagara, He recorded an assist in the lone preseason game he appeared in for the Winnipeg Jets.
Veteran goaltender Owen Flores has been a rock between the pipes for Niagara, registering all four wins and sporting the league’s fourth best goals against average at 2.33, and third best save percentage at .935.
Flores was even involved in an old school goalie fight during Sunday’s win. The ordeal has now gone viral on social media channels, and Boudreau feels it’s another sign just how close-knit his team is.
“I was proud of Flores for sticking up for his teammates,” Boudreau explained. “Maybe I change my mind if its a one goal game but at that time, that showed the team commitment to each other, and we all played for one another. So I don’t look at it as just a goalie fight, I look at it as a team coming together., and playing for one another. It was great to see.”
And while Flores is carrying the team on the backend, and He at forward, fellow forward and NHL drafted player Andrei Loshko (Seattle Kraken) is second in team scoring with seven points on the campaign, followed by rookies and Niagara’s top-two drafted players in 2024 Braidy Wassilyn and Max Crete with five and four points respectively.
The IceDogs hope to carry on their perfect season with two home games this upcoming weekend, Friday vs. Owen Sound and Saturday vs. North Bay. Both are 7 pm starts at Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines.
Five of Niagara’s next six games are on home ice.
For more information visit niagaraicedogs.net
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
