Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part I

[Sam14]

Gotta love Czata though, that was the correct safe pick in that spot imo.

It wasn’t so much the “correct safe pick in that spot” as it was the “only pick John Walters would allow Darren to make at #5”. Czata was projected early 2nd round by most maybe late 1st by a couple of teams. However, if you are unaware, player agent / North York Ranger connected John Walters has for the most part dictated who the IceDogs draft in the majority of rounds over the past 3 drafts. Walter’s IceDogs’ draft (and trade) list is long!

If you had watched all of the IceDogs games over the last season plus (as most on here have), you would know Czata’s play last year was disappointing for a 5th overall selection and so was his first 10 games to start this season. This post is in no way meant to be negative towards Czata because, give him credit, in the last 4 games his overall play has improved greatly! The hope for IceDog fans would be, that is the direction he is trending towards, but that still needs to proven over the course of an entire season. I’m hoping it is!

 

[Sam14]

Even before the 3rd, Barrie looked the better team. IceDogs 1/7 on the power play, Barrie 2/2. Lots of issues for the coaching staff to go over, better to get it all out in 1 game. Barrie is a top team. Onto the next vs Sudbury.

You and coach on the same page.

 

[Sam14]

Any word on Paris and Assurdorian

From their Billet parents:
Assodorian (upper body) 2-3 weeks
Paris (lower body) 3 more weeks

I do know the injuries but probably not my place to indicate. I can tell you Alex is not a concussion, as some fans have speculated.

 

[knowescape]

To me the East has Tiers:

Tier 1: Barrie Oshawa Brampton Brantford
Tier 2: Kingston Niagara Sudbury
Tier 3: Ottawa North Bay
Tier 4 Peterborough

Then today should be a good test for Niagara. Firstly, it will be a good bounce-back game after playing badly against Barrie. Secondly, Sudbury should be a beatable team with a day's rest, and it being at home.

 

[Countyview]

From their Billet parents:
Assodorian (upper body) 2-3 weeks
Paris (lower body) 3 more weeks

I do know the injuries but probably not my place to indicate. I can tell you Alex is not a concussion, as some fans have speculated.

That’s a breech of trust by the billet families to comment on their players injuries and inappropriate to pass that information on to a public forum. That information should come from the team or the player themselves.

 

[knowescape]

That’s a breech of trust by the billet families to comment on their players injuries and inappropriate to pass that information on to a public forum. That information should come from the team or the player themselves.

Sounds like the descriptions and timelines were sufficiently sanitized and vague to have avoided any sedition. I'm sure if the team were managing media relations effectively, they would make a similar comment.

 

[dogs777]

That’s a breech of trust by the billet families to comment on their players injuries and inappropriate to pass that information on to a public forum. That information should come from the team or the player themselves.

If you are around the arena enough and know the right people you can find stuff out without talking to billets I knew the injuries the day after they happened but not the timeline

 

[knowescape]

If you are around the arena enough and know the right people you can find stuff out without talking to billets I knew the injuries the day after they happened but not the timeline

The informal network has always been more timely than the official communication. I never understood why a company wouldn't be more transparent in such matters. When you communicate well and in a timely manner, you become the official source of truth. When you fail to comment or withhold information regularly, people tend to forage for themselves or speculate wildly.

 

[Sam14]

That’s a breech of trust by the billet families to comment on their players injuries and inappropriate to pass that information on to a public forum. That information should come from the team or the player themselves.

Just an FYI coaches, billet parents and the players only share information that can be shared publicly.

 

[Sam14]

The informal network has always been more timely than the official communication. I never understood why a company wouldn't be more transparent in such matters. When you communicate well and in a timely manner, you become the official source of truth. When you fail to comment or withhold information regularly, people tend to forage for themselves or speculate wildly.

The one the stands out the most to me was Cam Peters' injury. It was so secretive for so long, no one knew what it was or for how long he woud be out for.

Then, one day as I was walking out of the rink I ran into Cam and asked him "What's your injury? Are you expecting to be back soon" He answered, "My back. Took a viscious cross-check. Probably won't be back this year."
Well, that was easy!

Oh the other one was K.Maksimov's injury. IceDogs wouldn't tell anyone but he was walking around the rink during the playoffs freely offering that information

 

[dogs777]

The informal network has always been more timely than the official communication. I never understood why a company wouldn't be more transparent in such matters. When you communicate well and in a timely manner, you become the official source of truth. When you fail to comment or withhold information regularly, people tend to forage for themselves or speculate wildly.

It’s been this way Pretty much since the team got here except for a year or two where they had an actual “injury report” because it was sponsored but even that didn’t always give you much of anything

 

[Sam14]

The John Walters Effect: For IceDog fans wondering who he is.

Walters is a consultant / player agent with Will Sports Group, who represents some notable names (e.g., Colby Barlow, Tristian Bertucci, Jett Luchanko, Beckett Sennecke, Ben Danford, Jacob and Gabriel Frasca, … Carter Verhaeghe, Tyler Seguin,… ).

His connection to the IceDogs stems primarily from Walters’ relationship with IceDogs Head Scout Adam Henrich, who in 2021 was hired by North York Rangers to be their new Manager of Hockey Operations. The same club John Walter’s son Julian played his u14 (2022), u15 (2023) and u16 (2024) AAA seasons with.

After Darren purchased the IceDogs, he immediately hired his friend Adam Henrich and the close relationship between the three of them was immediate and evident at the OHL Priority Drafts and the vast number of players coming and going in Niagara (a large percentage of the IceDogs’ roster are John Walters clients).

Here is a look back at the last three IceDogs’ OHL Drafts and John Walters’ influence on the players selected:

The first draft (2022) was odd because the “smoke screen” was that the IceDogs old HS scout, coach and Bill Burke Sr were conducting the draft, but that was not the case. Although advised by the IceDogs in the room, not to draft Sam Dickinson 1st (and draft Lucas Karmiris instead who was willing to report), the plan was already set in motion, by DD, to draft Dickinson and trade him to London. Round 2 was Kevin He (John Walters’ client). Had He not missed a large portion of his u16 season due to injury, Kevin was projecting to be a top 10 pick in 2022. One of the best picks they have ever made at the draft. After those two picks, that is when the Niagara draft gets “weird”. They begin to draft unrankedf players and coincidently many were North York Ranger players (e.g., Oscar Wu, Qiushi Han, Luis Valencia, Michael Yu, …), which led to allegations, an investigation, but didn’t get much further than that in public at least.

In draft two (2023), player recruitment a major concern for this organization, Walters’ influence was very much evident, especially with the IceDogs controversial selection of Ethan Czata with the 5th overall pick; Walters was also the reason for the selections of Artem Frolov and Ivan Galiyanov.

In draft three (2024), Walters once again had a major hand in who the IceDogs selected and where they were selected. First, without Walters, no way do the IceDogs get Braidy Wassilyn with the 4th overall pick! Included in that Walters package deal were: 3rd rd G M.Humphries, 3rd rd D N.Frasca, and 6th rd F C.Hotles (all signed with the IceDogs).

 

[dogs777]

The John Walters Effect: For IceDog fans wonder who he is.

Walters is a consultant / player agent with Will Sports Group, who represents some notable names (e.g., Colby Barlow, Tristian Bertucci, Jett Luchanko, Beckett Sennecke, Ben Danford, Jacob and Gabriel Frasca, … Carter Verhaeghe, Tyler Seguin,… ).

His connection to the IceDogs stems primarily from Walters’ relationship with IceDogs Head Scout Adam Henrich, who in 2021 was hired by North York Rangers to be their new Manager of Hockey Operations. The same club John Walter’s son Julian played his u14 (2022), u15 (2023) and u16 (2024) AAA seasons with.

After Darren purchased the IceDogs, he immediately hired his friend Adam Henrich and the close relationship between the three of them was immediate and evident at the OHL Priority Drafts and the vast number of players coming and going in Niagara (too many to post, but know that a very large percentage of the IceDogs’ roster are John Walters clients).

Here is a look back at the last three IceDogs’ OHL Drafts and John Walters’ influence on the players selected:

The first draft (2022) was odd because the “smoke screen” was that the IceDogs old HS scout, coach and Bill Burke Sr were conducting the draft, but that was not the case. Although advised by the IceDogs in the room, not to draft Sam Dickinson 1st (and draft Lucas Karmiris instead who was willing to report), the plan was already set in motion to draft Dickinson and trade him to London. Round 2 was Kevin He (John Walters’ client). Had He not missed a large portion of his u16 season due to injury, Kevin was projecting to be a top 10 pick in 2022. One of the best picks they have ever made at the draft. After those two picks, that is when the Niagara draft gets “weird”. They begin to draft unranked players and coincidently they were North York Ranger players (e.g., Oscar Wu, Qiushi Han, Luis Valencia, Oscar Wu, …), which led to allegations, an investigation, but didn’t get much further than that in public at least.

In draft two (2023), player recruitment a major concern for this organization, Walters’ influence was very much evident, especially with the IceDogs controversial selection of Ethan Czata with the 5th overall pick; Walters was also the reason for the selections of Artem Frolov and Ivan Galiyanov.

In draft three (2024), Walter once again had a major hand in who the IceDogs selected and where they were selected. First, without Walters, no way do the IceDogs get Braidy Wassilyn with the 4th overall pick! Included in that package deal were: 3rd rd G M.Humphries, 3rd rd D N.Frasca, and 6th rd F C.Hotles (all signed with the IceDogs).

Well his “Effect” has led to some good draft picks IMO but if he was the one to get them to take frolov im surprised he didn’t try and say something before moving him that would’ve stopped it any idea who he’s got for the upcoming draft?

 

[Sam14]

Well his “Effect” has led to some good draft picks IMO but if he was the one to get them to take frolov im surprised he didn’t try and say something before moving him that would’ve stopped it any idea who he’s got for the upcoming draft?

Absolutely, IceDogs have benefited from good players as I indicated, however, the flip side of this relationship is that the IceDogs have been limited in drafting best player available in various rounds.
Bertucci is Walters’ client also and he pulled Frolov into a deal, Artem did not want to be part of the deal nor did some of those in hockey ops. There were some bad feeling regarding the trade.

Well, the likely number one pick in 2025 draft is North York Rangers’ Camryn Warren. Stud!

 

[IceDogs452]

Absolutely, IceDogs have benefited from good player as I indicated, however, the flip side of this relationship is that the IceDogs have been limited in drafting best player available in various rounds.
Bertucci is Walters’ client also ane he pulled Frolov into a deal, Artem did not want to be part of the deal nor did some of those in hockey ops. There were some bad feeling regarding the trade.

Well, the likely number one pick in 2025 draft is North York Rangers’ Camryn Warren. Stud!

Will be interesting to see where the North Stars big 3 end up next year. Partridge Raynor Oikawa look like legit 1st-2nd round picks.

 

[Sam14]

Will be interesting to see where the North Stars big 3 end up next year. Partridge Raynor Oikawa look like legit 1st-2nd round picks.

The 08s draft will have some really strong players in the Top 40. Unfortunately, the IceDogs traded away their 2025 2nd in the Frolov deal, so DD has to figure out a way to acquire a 2025 2nd before the 2025 OHL Draft, to pair up with their 1st rounder,

Perhaps, if the IceDogs draft in around 6 to 8 overall, John Walters (and Henrich) can get North York Ranger Camyrn Warren to that spot for the IceDogs 1st selection, in the same way, he got his client Colby Barlow to slide to 8th overall in the 2021 OHL Draft, for his brother Greg Walters at Owen Sound.

 

[frontsfan67]

That’s a breech of trust by the billet families to comment on their players injuries and inappropriate to pass that information on to a public forum. That information should come from the team or the player themselves.

A lot of things said in general on here are from billet families or people close to organizations. A lot of talk goes on that gets out even though it shouldn’t probably.

Sam14 shouldn’t have mentioned his source imo as it could fall back on that family if true. They all talk regardless of if they admit it or not and are very proud of “their boys.” I got no problem with them doing that but sam threw them under the bus.

 

[Sam14]

A lot of things said in general on here are from billet families or people close to organizations. A lot of talk goes on that gets out even though it shouldn’t probably.

Sam14 shouldn’t have mentioned his source imo as it could fall back on that family if true. They all talk regardless of if they admit it or not and are very proud of “their boys.” I got no problem with them doing that but sam threw them under the bus.

Just FYI. The nature of the injury is what some fans are probably unaware of but not the length. Ben has already mentioned on air a couple of time now that they would be without those players for a period of time. This is no big secret to anyone. The good news was that the length was much less than many were speculating so they had no problem sharing it.

 

[frontsfan67]

Just FYI. The nature of the injury is what some fans are probably unaware of but not the length. Ben has already mentioned on air a couple of time now that they would be without those players for a period of time. This is no big secret to anyone

Still I wouldn’t be mentioning who you got the information from regardless. Never know- it could fall back on them if someone from the organization found out.

 

[Sam14]

Still I wouldn’t be mentioning who you got the information from regardless. Never know- it could fall back on them if someone from the organization found out.

Disagree. The good news was that the length was much less than many were speculating so they had no problem sharing it. Fans were speculating much much longer and more severe than in actuality

 

[the dog]

That’s a breech of trust by the billet families to comment on their players injuries and inappropriate to pass that information on to a public forum. That information should come from the team or the player themselves.

Don't know what big secret is on injuries the nhl always post them and approximate time missing

 

[Countyview]

Disagree. The good news was that the length was much less than many were speculating so they had no problem sharing it. Fans were speculating much much longer and more severe than in actuality

I think you’re missing the point. I’m sure everyone is pleased the injury is not as severe as feared but it’s not your information or the billets to share that with the public. It’s the player or teams prerogative to pass that on. It would make me wonder what else are my billets telling people about me. There is an expectation of privacy in a billet/player relationship. You broke that confidence.

 

[IceDogs452]

Glad to get the win but man I am worried every time Virgilio and Cheynowski are on the ice together. They briefly switched in the 3rd to have Brauti with Wycisk and Van Vliet with Virgilio which I liked. NVV had some brutal giveaways at the end of the second and in the third too. Anyways 2 points.

 

[three dog night]

He the game winner has the Icedogs shade Sudbury 4 to 3 in overtime before 3,189 fans at the Meridian Centre. Next game at home against Erie on Thursday night at seven.

 

[bigsportsfan]

That’s a breech of trust by the billet families to comment on their players injuries and inappropriate to pass that information on to a public forum. That information should come from the team or the player themselves.

I would normally agree with you but in the IceDogs' case, they never say anything about injuries. As a paying fan, I think I have a right to know how long players might be out. They don't need to tell me what the injury is, just how long they will be sidelined. So if the team won't release this information, I am thankful others will.