And in addition to being a bit young & small compared to teams above them in the standings, the IceDogs have no answer to VanSteensel-Wakely-Romani.
Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV
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And in addition to being a bit young & small compared to teams above them in the standings, the IceDogs have no answer to VanSteensel-Wakely-Romani.
My understanding is there are two groups interested in purchasing the IceDogs, both have Bruce Boudreau as part of the ownership team. The fact, that DD is / was investigated for the third time in three years, the 5 year suspension and significant fines make sense and so does the possibility that the team has been sold to avoid both punishments. When you hear “changes coming”, that signifies smoke, we just need fire.
Dogs Enthusiast
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I hope that is all true Sam. We simple can't continue as it is right now.
knowescape
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On the bright side (yes, I have a bright side at times), imagine how many STH would return next year if a new owner took the reins? For many, I don't believe it was a lack of interest in junior hockey, or even a bad season or two. It was the constant antics and lack of commitment to running a franchise properly. I know I'd return to a new owner.
I just hope when it happens, the new owner realizes that the IceDogs name has been tarnished so badly that a fresh start is required, rather than a coat of paint over the old brand.
I think some like yourself would return right away but I also think a good amount of people who were there might need a show me year (it also depends ultimately who buys them and the connections that group has) that’s IF this is all true and DD is actually leaving
knowescape
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Of course. If the league allowed someone without a pedigree to buy the team, I would take a knee for a year or more. I hung on for a year longer than I should have, only because I renewed early and when the scandal broke, the team refused to issue a refund.
Dogs Enthusiast
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It was 3 terrible seasons that caused about 10 STH seats near me to not renew. It had nothing to do with controversies. It had to do with bad hockey games and depressing results and not using all the tickets they had.
I know at least 3x that amount of STHs (myself included), who stopped renew for no other reason than they were unwilling to support DD's on and off-ice sh$tshow AND we have told those in the office the reason AND told them to tell DD our reason for not renewing. I also know, we are ALL waiting for him to sell so we can renew.
P.S. The bad hockey games you are referring to were a direct result of a clueless owner/GM trying to assemble teams with our draft picks, with zero success. You can only take so much of that incompetence before it's enough. DE, it's all connected and leads back to one person.
#selltheteam
Dogs Enthusiast
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Of course DD is ultimately responsible for on-ice performance.
When you pay for a season. Then don't feel motived to attend games and watch another blowout and you can't even give the tickets away. That will lead a person to not renew.
Its easy for me. I only live in Old Glenridge and can walk to the games. If somebody is in NOTL or Fonhill etc.. its a real effort to get there and park. Then you witness another blowout. That is depressing.
When you pay for a season. Then don't feel motived to attend games and watch another blowout and you can't even give the tickets away. That will lead a person to not renew.
Its easy for me. I only live in Old Glenridge and can walk to the games. If somebody is in NOTL or Fonhill etc.. its a real effort to get there and park. Then you witness another blowout. That is depressing.
A blowout as part of a rebuild and a big picture long range plan is fine. It always has been in Niagara. The part that upset everyone is HOW he created these teams. Witnessing an incompetent ruin your on and off product is something 100s and 100s of fans were not willing or wanting to support anymore. Not renew was the only way we had to show our disapproval.
fishfan51
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For myself, I highly doubt I would ever return as a season ticket holder. I've found other things to do with my time.
Having said that... with new ownership, I would take a wait and see approach. I would go to a few games provided I like he direction of the team on and off the ice. If I liked what I was seeing, I could see myself going to a dozen games a year plus playoffs.
Under this owner, I won't set foot in that arena. The organization is an embarrassment to the community from top to bottom.
Having said that... with new ownership, I would take a wait and see approach. I would go to a few games provided I like he direction of the team on and off the ice. If I liked what I was seeing, I could see myself going to a dozen games a year plus playoffs.
Under this owner, I won't set foot in that arena. The organization is an embarrassment to the community from top to bottom.
For me, I honestly would be fine if they finished in last place the past two seasons if DD was running the team the right way. I understand sometimes trades don't work out, draft picks don't develop as expected and teams don't click. But if the team is being ran properly, most of the time the team is going to perform well.
What frustrates me is that he is not running the team properly and I believe most seasons, we will be bottom feeders. Even when the team was in first place, I still was not happy because despite their position in the standings, the team still wasn't being ran properly. And of course, their 6-26 record since Jan 1 shows that.
But the one thing I thought was great is that despite the troubles the team had the past 3 seasons, people came out last night and were really into the game and cheered loudly. I think people want to support the IceDogs but DD makes it so hard for us to do that. Under new ownership, attendance will see a big bump right away and eventually get back up there towards 5,000/game.
What frustrates me is that he is not running the team properly and I believe most seasons, we will be bottom feeders. Even when the team was in first place, I still was not happy because despite their position in the standings, the team still wasn't being ran properly. And of course, their 6-26 record since Jan 1 shows that.
But the one thing I thought was great is that despite the troubles the team had the past 3 seasons, people came out last night and were really into the game and cheered loudly. I think people want to support the IceDogs but DD makes it so hard for us to do that. Under new ownership, attendance will see a big bump right away and eventually get back up there towards 5,000/game.
knowescape
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Good to see you back online. Always enjoy your perspective @fishfan51 !
Dogs Enthusiast
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FYI,
If the Dogs win tonight and force a game on Sunday night the box office is open all day on Sunday.
If the Dogs win tonight and force a game on Sunday night the box office is open all day on Sunday.
fishfan51
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Dogs Enthusiast
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Dogs Enthusiast
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Wish I could say I’m surprised but I’m not went about as expected ( slightly better cause I said sweep)
beastintheeast
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If bruce is involved with the new team it will be great and stay the course it is on now.
I still have an issue with people asying that DD is being invetigated and may have to sell the team.
details over vague communication is nice to read.
Will new ownership change STH not really that much I think you will get more fans like @fishfan51 people will buy tickets to individual ticks and kick the tires. Once peopel leave they find outher ways to enjoy their evenings and spend their money.
I still have an issue with people asying that DD is being invetigated and may have to sell the team.
details over vague communication is nice to read.
Will new ownership change STH not really that much I think you will get more fans like @fishfan51 people will buy tickets to individual ticks and kick the tires. Once peopel leave they find outher ways to enjoy their evenings and spend their money.
…it sure was, straight to rock bottom. In 2025, the IceDogs amassed: multiple staff firings; a league hired third-party investigation; a lawsuit; player agent and owner interference; a declining STH fan base; player departures; player trade requests; 5 wins; a commissioner conducted theatre-gate investigation; team and league embarrassment and a ridiculous playoff game.
Now, the second half of 2025 has: an OHL Priority Draft, which they may or may not be prepared for and/ or players that may or may not want to play in Niagara; an Import Draft, they’re never prepared for; off-season trades, out of necessity, and player agent trade-requests to accommodate.
Darren, SELL THE TEAM and change the narrative.
beastintheeast
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Insead of being so nasty with hints and umours and inuendo when willyou actually say something that has substence What firings what investigation what agent issue.
Even out line facts or guit neing a jerk.
Not that Sam14 needs my help to defend himself but there isn’t one item he notes that IceDog fans aren’t aware of. All legitimate concerns.
knowescape
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?
beastintheeast
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I ju
What is the supposed review about don't tell me players are still doing hazing.
I just read abut the investigation. You do realize that while it will possibly get rid of DD it is defeinitely going to get rid of your coach and other staff members.
What is the supposed review about don't tell me players are still doing hazing.
While many are negative here, I will say I applaud the fanbase for the playoff attendance. Over 4000 for both games. A lot of other teams couldn't get close to those numbers for playoff games. Lots of empty seats in many buildings
