The Oshawa Generals visited the Niagara Ice Dogs on Thursday, January 6th , 2022 and Neutral Zone had a scout in attendance. This game was closer than the final score would suggest. Entering the third period, the Ice Dogs held a 2-0 lead. The Generals pressed in the final frame, but couldn’t solve Ice Dogs netminder, Josh Rosenszweig, as he earned a shutout. Oshawa went 0 for 6 on the PP and the home team won by a score of 5-0.
NIAGARA ICE DOGS
| Ryan Struthers | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | L | C | 6’0″ | 161 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2020 | Milton, ON | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Struthers, while minutes played are on the lower side, still contributed in a number of ways to Niagara’s victory in this game. He did a very good job of pushing the play up ice as F1 on the forecheck and followed that up using his stick and body to influence the direction of Oshawa’s re-group. Struthers played most of the night on his off-wing, but still executed most of his puck plays in favor of his team on DZ exits. Struthers’ skating requires further development, particularly his transition skating. As he continues his growth as a player at the major junior level, his ability to change direction with the play, without losing speed will be critical for success. He showed great effort when tracking a rush into his DZ, and helped kill some entry attempts. In the offensive zone, while not much time spent there, he did create an outstanding scoring chance by retrieving a puck low, moving his feet to draw a defender, then moving the puck high. He followed that pass by driving to the crease to generate traffic on the arrival of the puck. Grade B-
| Brice Cooke | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | L | LW | 6’1″ | 190 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2020 | Orangeville, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Cooke’s game has shown signs of improvement over the course of the season. In the offensive zone, Cooke continues to display a willingness to compete in traffic. He made an exceptional one touch pass that came to him at net front, and he re-directed it off to the side where his line-mate sat with an open net and scored. He is a willing player to own the net front, especially on the PP. Cooke showed some excellent puck skills in tight, generating a scoring chance for himself by navigating through traffic in the slot. Cooke’s skating will require development, but it seems as though he has quickened his stride over the course of the season. Grade B
| Dylan Roobroeck | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | L | C | 6’7″ | 190 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2020 | London, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Roobroeck played with overflowing confidence in this game. His board play was much better executed than in previous viewings and he seems to be moving with more efficiency and purpose. He scored an important goal . . . fading to the weak-side of the crease as a play developed in front of the net. The puck was bumped over to him and he put the puck in the open net, long before the Oshawa goalie could reset. He displayed some anticipation skill on that play. He is a player worth monitoring through the remainder of the season. Grade B
| Joshua Rosenzweig | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | R | G | 6’2″ | 159 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2019 | Toronto, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
Rosenzweig earned a shutout on this night, making 34 saves. He has tremendous work ethic and his unwillingness to quit on plays puts him in position to make saves on multiple shot situations. This game could have been a lot closer in the score, had it not been for him. Many of Oshawa’s scoring chances came as a result of net traffic or cross-crease plays/passes, particularly in the 3rd period. Rosenzweig tracked the path of puck through traffic or across the Royal Road with confidence. Grade B+
OSHAWA GENERALS
| Blake Smith | Oshawa Generals | OHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 194 | Oshawa Generals | 2021 | Oshawa, ON | 2004 | Not yet rated |
As an October 2004 Smith has reliable puck skills and displayed that when advancing the puck up to his forwards. He made quick and accurate passes, most of the game. His compete level is adequate. Smith requires mobility development. He protects the mid-lane of the ice, but can lose positioning when taken wide in certain situations. Mobility development will also improve his ability to retrieve pucks deep in his DZ. Grade B-
| Calum Ritchie | Oshawa Generals | OHL | R | C | 6’1″ | 174 | Oshawa Generals | 2021 | Oakville, ON | 2005 | Not yet rated |
A young player, not eligible for the NHL draft until 2023, but he was one of Oshawa’s better performers in this game. Plays FH flanker on the Generals PP. Bow-legged stance, Ritchie is quick to pucks and when in possession is fast to take the puck to open ice. His feet are always moving, even if he is not striding. This is particularly common in the OZ as he weaves in and out of pockets, supporting the puck. He seems to have a knack for anticipating the next offensive play. Despite not being able to capitalize offensively, he was clearly noticeable. Grade A
| Luke Torrance | Oshawa Generals | OHL | L | F | 6’0″ | 197 | Oshawa Generals | 2020 | Oshawa, ON | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Torrence played his off wing for the Generals in this game. For the most part, he was effective and reliable when making plays on the boards. He made simple, yet assertive advancements of the puck in mid-ice, preferring to get it behind the Niagara defence rather than attempting controlled play entry into the offensive zone. Torrence is a big body and is stable on his skates. He maintained a good balance when making contact or absorbing it. Torrence’s skating will require work in terms of his edges. He is physically strong, so his stride is as well, but he will need a focus on transitional skating. His work ethic is tremendous. This player has some upside to match. Grade B-
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