Seventeen games into their 68-game Ontario Hockey League schedule, and the Niagara IceDogs sit in first place in the Central Division standings with a (10-5-2) record.
Niagara is also second in the OHL Eastern Conference eight points behind the Brantford Bulldogs who have yet to lose in regulation time sitting at (13-0-4) on the season.
The IceDogs now feature four NHL drafted players after a recent trade that saw general manager Frank Evola acquire St. Catharines native Noah Read – a third round pick of the Anaheim Ducks. Read picked up his first point in a Niagara uniform with an assist in Niagara’s 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa.
Captain Kevin He (Winnipeg Jets) leads the IceDogs in scoring with 21 points in just 15 games played,
Projected 2026 first round NHL pick Ryan Roobroeck is second in scoring with 18 points.
Roobroeck was also among the first players named to the Team CHL Roster for 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge coming up later this month from Calgary.
“Ryan Lin, Ryan Roobroeck, and Xavier Villeneuve bring the kind of skill, intensity, and excitement fans will see at this year’s CHL USA Prospects Challenge,” said Dan MacKenzie, CHL President. “They’ve already proven themselves as standouts in their leagues and on the international stage, and now they’ll set the tone for an electric showcase in Calgary and Lethbridge against their greatest rivals – the United States.”
“The first three prospects named to Team CHL – Ryan Lin (Vancouver, WHL), Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara, OHL), and Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL) – are established impact players in their respective leagues, each capable of delivering the kind of sensational plays that influence the outcome of a game,” stated Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “There are many more exceptional CHL prospects who will be selected to this roster in consultation with the 32 NHL clubs, ensuring fans witness a true best-on-best showcase of elite junior talent.”
Vancouver Canucks draft pick Riley Patterson, also a recent acquisition by Evola, is third at 17 points, with 2025 Tampa Bay Lightning second round draft pick tied for fourth with 12 points.
Evola’s next move may involve dealing for a defenseman.
Czech native Ben Reisnecker is Niagara’s top-scoring blueliner with eight points.
In goal, the tandem of Vladislav Yermolenko and Charlie Robertson have been strong, both posting winning records, save-percentage of over .900, and a shutout apiece.
Meanwhile, IceDogs rookie forward Ryerson Edgar and Head Athletic Therapist David Pandolfi are currently representing Canada at the U17 World Hockey Challenge in Nova Scotia.
Brantford’s Jake O’Brien leads scorers on the season with 33 points. O’Brien’s Bulldogs teammate Marek Vanacker is tops in goals with 15.
In the west, the Windsor Spitfires lead the way with a (14-3-2) record as former Niagara IceDogs Joey Costanzo sports the OHL’s best goals against average at 1.81, the most wins with 11 and shutouts with three.
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.
