Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

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Here are his Owen Sound Stats to date
8GP 5G - 1A - 6 PTS +3

I would not make too much out of the point production yet as 5 of 6 points came in two games last week.
But as good as it was for Wray to get more opportunity elsewhere, it would be a nice luxury to have kept Wray as the 13th forward. Injury happens, Wray would be a useful centre while Assadourian is out.
 
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At the commencement of this season, there were numerous pessimists, not only on this thread but also on a majority of other forums on this board. This year's team is forcing them to feed themselves on their very own words. One must appreciate the positive energy emanating from this Ice Dogs team and throughout the league.
 
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I think I predicted 6, 7 or 8th place and I am a huge homer and optimist. It really is amazing. Now I think its the best team we have had in a decade.
Just think most of this team will be back next year

I know Sam may not be happy but it looks like DD had a plan after all and it may work out.
 
Great to see Niagara back to respectability and not in the "news' for all the wrong reasons. A coach with some upside and other executives allowed to do their jobs has paid big dividends. Your draft cupboard is certainly healthy as you have most of your picks in place moving forward it appears? Such a great fanbase you all deserve to be rewarded with a good team. Good Luck the rest of the way as you are in a tough battle with some solid teams in the conference! Maybe a Knights / Icedogs OHL final would be great to see again? Lot of good teams stand between us both however.
I think with David Branch's retirement as OHL Commissioner much of the grudge against Niagara left with him. Ben Boudreau seems to be a better coach and capable of learning new things. As the team grows hopefully he can continue to help them adapt. We are still lacking on the GM side of things, hence only most of our picks instead of a healthy war-chest. There also needs to be a change of mentality in favour of defense rather than doubling down on offense.

The fanbase verdict is still out. The owner still has a long row to hoe before the faithful return. His cost-cutting business measures combined with his need to meddle directly in hockey operations are keeping many fans away. The team has played extremely well so far this year and they have exceeded expectations and become a fun group to watch. But can they maintain that?

Other teams loaded up at the deadline whereas Niagara stayed status quo. Add to that the usual mid-season injuries and it will be interesting to see what happens as we skate towards March.

A Niagara/London final is always a fun event. We love to hate each other. London is the best team year after year and one we should try to emulate. Niagara is scrappy and usually has no business being on top, yet there we go. Would be fun, but I see us finishing third or fourth in the conference this year.
 
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Czata coming in at 41 on the North American skaters list for Central Scouting should be no surprise. He's a complete player and the offense is getting better. Fully expect him to be a solid 1C next season
 
Just think most of this team will be back next year

I know Sam may not be happy but it looks like DD had a plan after all and it may work out.
After so many years in the basement, it would be almost impossible not to have a good team by now. I'm not sure if that was DD's plan all along, to tank and trade away assets like a drunken sailor? This year's performance was a surprise to us all, just hope it is not a fluke.

Thankfully, DD did not load up at the deadline and make a run this year. Good restraint for a change. However, he also did not sell at the deadline and try to recoup picks for a run next year, which may have been a mistake. I think he is torn between planning for the future and keeping the lights on inside the arena.

Not speaking for @Sam14 or any of the other fellow "NaySayers", I have no desire to see the players fail. I just don't want to reward DD for the last two years of his incompetence. I hope the boys go as far as possible and that either DD realizes what he needs to do going forward, or decides to pack it in.
 
I ran into DD a year or two ago and had a 10 minute conversation. After the pleasantries, I asked a bunch of questions. Including the main gripes that were discussed endlessly on the previous message board and referenced here. And damn if he didn't have good answers for all those awkward questions. I was quite surprised.

We may not like how we got here but we did. You have to give some credit to DD. It can't all be luck.
 

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