The Sudbury Wolves visited the Niagara Ice Dogs on Saturday, January 8th , 2022 and Neutral Zone had a scout in attendance. The game finished 5-4 in favor of the Ice Dogs, but the score didn’t reflect the game as Niagara had success early, scoring the game’s first 3 goals, and never relinquished the lead. Twice the Wolves pulled to within one goal, including a late 3rd period push that closed the gap, but it was too little, too late.
NIAGARA
| Pano Fimis | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | R | C | 5’10” | 174 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2020 | Richmond Hill, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: B- |
A quiet, but effective performance from Fimis in this viewing. He generated 4 shots on goal while doing a very good job controlling possession of the puck. Fimis’ stance is solid and he is able to invite, and absorb contact while scanning the ice for options to distribute the puck. His opponents have a difficult time separating the puck from him in most situations. Would love to see this player maintain a higher pace of play through the contest. Grade B
| Aidan Castle | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | L | LW | 5’11” | 168 | Oshawa Generals | 2020 | Mississauga, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
By all accounts, Castle had a quiet game. But, on two occasions he made pro level plays that generated two goals. One play, on the PP, he received the puck across the ice on the flank, cradled for possession, before zipping a pass into a seam at net front, finding the stick of Roobroeck for a re-direction goal. On the other example, again on the PP, Castle positioned himself into an open lane, on the weak-side flank, for a cross-ice pass. Castle used a one-timer shot to find the back of the Sudbury net, before the goalie could re-set or establish coverage. While consistency is something Castle should strive to attain, his ability to make plays at key moments helped his team win this game. Grade B
| Rodwin Dionicio | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 207 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2021 | Rapperswil, SUI | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
A defenseman with size who moves the puck quickly and with accuracy. Dionicio’s ability to transition the puck up ice without much hesitation helps his team counter with speed. He does this consistently and is successful the majority of his attempts. Dionicio’s mobility needs to continue to evolve. This would help his gap management through the middle zone. Grade B
| Dylan Roobroeck | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | L | C | 6’7″ | 190 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2020 | London, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
This player continues to grow his game. Roobroeck’s skating has significantly improved from earlier in the season, and still requires a development focus. But, he is starting to contribute in different areas and plays on the ice surface. His confidence is growing. A two point night for him, with an excellent marker on the PP. He used his large from to establish a moving target at net front while placing his stick blade into a passing lane for Aidan Castle. The result was a re-directed puck that beat the Sudbury goalie. Roobroeck must continue to use his size as leverage and effectively impact his game. Grade B
| Joshua Rosenzweig | Niagara Icedogs | OHL | R | G | 6’2″ | 159 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2019 | Toronto, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
The Ice Dogs got out to a 3 goal lead in this game, but some timely saves as a result of good positioning and athleticism kept the Wolves from scoring to cut the Niagara lead to 2-1. On the subsequent play, Niagara went down and scored that important 3 rd goal, early in the 2 nd period. Rosenzweig did a really nice job of reading passing options, particularly from below his goal-line. He made two elite reads that helped position him to make saves of Goyette on the top of the crease. He seemed to establish his angles well tonight and that helped him manage the puck, minimizing rebounds left around the crease. Grade B+
SUDBURY
| David Goyette | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | L | C | 5’11” | 174 | Sudbury Wolves | 2020 | Hawkesbury, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
An above average skater with separation speed. He has a high compete level. Goyette shows a keen ability to create offence, with and without the puck. He uses his speed to find or create open space for himself . . . several times he found open ice at net front to receive a pass from below the goal-line. Only a superb effort on the part of the Niagara goalie prevented him from having a multiple goal game. This player should be selected within the first 40 picks of the 2022 NHL draft. Grade A
| Kocha Delic | Sudbury Wolves | Bantam | L | C | 5’10” | 183 | Sudbury Wolves | 2020 | Mississauga, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
An undersised forward but Delic has quick hands and quick feet that helps him be an effective player for his team. Combined with his relentless work ethic, Delic always seems to be around the puck – quick to make a play or quick to generate separation. He is not a perimeter player, as he showed a willingness to play inside when needed, either at the offensive crease or below the goal line. Would like to see more offence generated when in possession of the puck in the OZ. Grade B
| Evan Konyen | Sudbury Wolves | Bantam | R | F | 5’10” | 170 | Sudbury Wolves | 2020 | Mars, PA | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
A highly skilled player when in possession of the puck. Konyen on exits from the D zone will consistently move to establish himself to the dot line, providing more directions to advance the puck in the next play. Konyen is quick and his feet are light. He is able to dart to open ice with or without the puck. Based upon this game, he needs to develop an inside game in order to get pucks on net, or make plays. His OZ possession and play attempts tended to run out of space, thus stopping or resulting in a change of possession. Grade B-
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images