Since the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) appointed Dale DeGray as the team’s general manager, the longtime former GM of the Owen Sound Attack continues to wheel and deal.
DeGray’s first move was to trade captain, and NHL Tampa Bay Lightning second round draft pick, Ethan Czata to the Guelph Storm for forward Carter Lewandowski, defenceman Zach Naish and four draft picks.
“Over the course of his time with the IceDogs, Ethan has been a role model. Only having spoken with him several times since my arrival in Niagara, Czata will be a very difficult player to replace both in the locker room and on the ice. He’s very well respected by his peers and hockey executives throughout the league, and he will be missed in Dog Country,” said DeGray.
“We wish nothing but the best and continued success in Guelph.”
DeGray dealt with the Storm in his latest move sending soon to be NHL drafted forward Ryan Roobroeck to Guelph.
In return the IceDogs received forwards Wil McFadden and Layne Gallacher, along with a fifth-round pick in 2027, a third-round pick in 2029 and a fourth-round pick in 2030.
“Wil is an offensive threat at even strength and on the power play,” DeGray said. “He’s a proven leader and someone we expect to be a go-to player for our hockey club this season.”
DeGray likes Gallacher all-around game.
“Layne had a very solid rookie season. He’s a fast, hard-working, engaged player who checks a lot of boxes and plays a reliable 200-foot game.”
DeGray also sent a fifth round pick in 2030 to Flint for blueliner Christian Colosimo, dealt a ninth round pick in 2028 to his former club in Owen Sound for forward Jared Langdon and also sent the rights to Caden Bell – who played for the Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL) St. Catharines Falcons last season – to the Attack for defenseman Blake Munnings.
Before the recent OHL Priority Selection Draft DeGray also rounded out his scouting staff:
Sean LaFortune Director of Player Personnel
Brian Teakle Director of Scouting
Greg Cappellaro SCTA/USA Scout
Dave Robertson Hockey Ontario East Scout
Jim Rauth Alliance Scout
Mike Battah OMHA Scout
Noah Acciaccaferri U18 Scout
Cappellario and Robertson are the only holdovers from former GM Frank Evola’s staff.
The IceDogs selected defenseman Max Lappan with their first round, ninth overall pick.
The 6’1” 225-pound, Livonia Michigan native, Lappan scored 157 points in 113 games last season with Detroit Honeybaked.
“He played huge minutes — power play, penalty kill, five-on-five, short-handed,” explained DeGray “He did it all and, once I got to speak to him, I’m going to be honest with you, we talked more about his siblings than we did hockey.
“To me, that was a huge factor; he was that grounded and that family oriented, that hockey was almost secondary, and he’s an unbelievable hockey player.”
Niagara opens its 2026-27 season Friday September 18 in Brantford, before welcoming the Brampton Steelheads a night later in their home opener.
DeGray is expected to name the IceDogs next head coach in the coming days.
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.
