It's Not Tense for the Ice Dogs

The past, the future and the present came into the arena and things got tense!

Things have been anything but tense for Ice Dog fans these past few days as the past, future and present are all positive.

The Past:

Andrew Agozzino was recognized for his hard work this past season as he was selected as the OHL over age player of the year. With 40 goals and 48 assists during the regular season, Agozzino’s numbers are impressive. However it is not the stats which stand out for Agozzino, it is his work ethic and leadership which are noted by coaches, players and fans.

Agozzino won the award by one vote over Owen Sound Attack Mike Halmo. Both undrafted, the pair of over-agers have definitely been impact players on their respective teams this year. While Agozzino takes home the hardware, Halmo was rewarded with a NHL entry level contract with the New York Islanders. Being undrafted had its advantages as Halmo was able to field many offers and make the decision where to sign. Perhaps an NHL contract is in Agozzino’s future?

Speaking of the future…….

Ice Dog coach Marty Williamson was very busy recently in his dual role as coach and general manager. During Saturday’s OHL Priority draft Williamson was straddling positions while he led a team practice in between selecting draft picks for the future. At Tuesday’s home game three of the fourteen draft picks were introduced to the fans pre-game. (pictured above) Given a loud welcome was centre-man Brook Hiddink, a second-round choice, left winger Matt Gillard, taken in the fourth round, and right winger Brendan Dunning, a 10th-round pick.

It was also announced Anthony DiFruscia, selected in the 2011 draft, was signed by the Ice Dogs. A Thorold native, DiFruscia played this past season at Salisbury School in Connecticut where he averaged a point a game on the varsity team.

But thoughts of the future need to be set aside as the Ice Dogs right now must concentrate on the present – a solid play-off run.

The Present:

The Niagara Ice Dogs have swept the Brampton Battalion in the second series of the play-offs. Highlights have been a Dave Pacan over time goal in game one, a Freddie Hamilton hat trick in game three and a goal and six assists through-out the series from Ryan Strome. Mark Visentin in goal was incredible through out the series as uncharacteristic for the Ice Dogs they allowed Brampton to outshoot them in all but one game with the series shots 133-110 in Brampton’s favour.

The Ice Dogs now rest while they wait to see who wins the Barrie-Ottawa series to determine their opponent for the Eastern Conference finals.

Trading Places

It has been a tumultuous week for junior hockey! With the excitement of the World Junior tournament winding down, the rush to the trade deadline in the OHL heats up.

While fans of the OHL may find the flurry of trades great fun, it must be remembered OHL players are teen-agers and a trade means once again moving to an unknown city. A trade also means pressure of adapting to a new living environment as well as the stress of proving one’s worth on the ice to a new coach, team and fan base.

One OHL player eagerly taking on those pressures is newly acquired Niagara Ice Dog Brett Ritchie, previously with the Sarnia Sting. When asked about his arrival to St. Catharines, Ritchie said he “couldn’t be happier, it was one of the teams I really wanted to go to …..I came right from Sarnia and caught practice. It’s been a quick transition, (but) a good group of guys here made me feel welcome.”

Ritchie describes his move to Niagara as a great opportunity to be on “a team that is going to go deep in the play-offs with all of the talent they have up front and in the back-end with Mark Visentin……..we are going to challenge for the Memorial Cup.”

Not only is this a great opportunity hockey-wise for Ritchie but he is looking forward to the off-ice perks of living in the Niagara region. Now closer to his immediate family who live in the Orangeville area, Ritchie has other family members living in Niagara. He is also looking forward to being reunited with minor hockey teammate, Ryan Strome. As well, Ritchie has the advantage of good advice from his father Paul Ritchie an OHL alumnus. The elder Ritchie is familiar with being trading having played for London Knights, Belleville Bulls and Guelph Platers from 1980-83.

On Friday evening while Ritchie laced up for his first game with Niagara, there were two players in the visitor’s room lacing up for perhaps the last time with the Owen Sound Attack. It was the elephant in the room. Many in the arena seemed to know about the imminent trade of two prominent Attack players but the players had not been told. As the twitterverse heated up Saturday morning it became apparent the expected Attack trade had fallen apart because a player involved was not satisfied with the move. The GMs must get back on their phones and work out more details as the clock ticks down to the January 10^th trade deadline.

In the last week GMs have made final decisions whether this is the year to go for a Memorial Cup run or the year to continue rebuilding. Fans have enjoyed speculating and debating about moves. Sports bloggers have tried hard to be the first to announce trades. But behind the scenes bags will be packed, good-byes said, schools may be changed (again) and billets will adopt a new family member. This is the world of the OHL.

Dog Bytes:

• Tom Kuhnhackl completed his 20 game suspension and made his Ice Dog return known by scoring the first goal of the game and being named third star
• Andrew Agozzino was the sole scorer in the shoot out resulting in the Ice Dogs defeating the Attack 4-3
• Mark Visentin’s arrival in the arena mid-way through the second period was caught on camera which resulted in a spontaneous standing ovation from the crowd
• Saturday’s game vs. Sarnia Sting will be the return of Ryan Strome, Freddie Hamilton, Dougie Hamilton and Mark Visentin after winning the bronze medal with Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship
• The Ice Dogs are 5-2 in the last 7 games without the four Team Canada players
• Brett Richie’s arrival makes 11 Ice Dogs drafted by NHL teams (Dallas Stars, 2^nd round 44^th overall)