The nine teams that make up ‘junior’ hockey across Niagara all enjoyed some time off over the holidays.
The only team back in action before the calendar turns to 2026 is the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
After trading their captain, and Winnipeg Jets draft pick, Kevin He to the Flint Firebirds on Sunday, the IceDogs opened their post-Christmas schedule with a pair of 4-3 victories over the Brampton Steelheads.
Niagara sits in sixth place in the OHL Eastern Conference standings with a (16-15-3) record.
IceDogs General Manager Frank Evola spoke to the media after Monday’s win.
“There’s not a day I don’t try and improve our hockey team,” said Evola. “I have a plan in my head and our coaching staff is doing a great job. Everyday, we continue to work.”
Tampa Bay Lightning 2025 second-round draft pick Ethan Czata has been named team captain.
The IceDogs host the Oshawa Generals in their annual New Year’s Eve game. Puck drop is set for 6 pm and tickets are available at niagaraicedogs.net
Meantime, the Niagara Falls Canucks of the OJHL (Ontario Junior Hockey League) enter the new year with a record of (10-22-2) good for tenth place in the 12-team West Conference. The Toronto Patriots are the top team in the league with 64 points.
For more information visit niagarafallscanucks.com
In the Greater Ontario Hockey League, five teams from the region return to action this upcoming weekend.
The St. Catharines Falcons sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, eight points back of Cambridge, with a record of (25-2-2).
The Fort Erie Meteors are the hottest team in the GOHL winners of 11 in a row, are eight points behind the Falcons, while the Pelham Panthers continue to impress – winners of six straight – just four points behind Fort ERIE, followed by the Port Colborne Sailors (20-12-0) and Welland Jr. Canadians (4-26-2).
Keep in mind as well, both St. Catharines (69) and Fort Erie (league low 64) have given up fewer goals than Cambridge (72).
Visit gohl.ca for more information.
The Grimsby Peach Kings (20-6-1) always impress in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) but another Niagara team is in the conversation this season as the Niagara Riverhawks sit just three points behind Grimsby in the standings.
Dundas sits alone on top with 51 points.
For more information visit thepjhl.ca
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.
