Erie Otters, Niagara IceDogs Face Off In Buffalo
Hockey fans can get a glimpse at several high-profile future NHL draft picks Wednesday when the Erie Otters face the Niagara IceDogs in a regular-season OHL matchup at First Niagara Center in Buffalo. Several already-drafted players will hit the ice along with a handful of players slated to be picked in June 2015 and beyond.
Wednesday’s game marks the first regular season OHL game to be held in Buffalo.
The arena has already seen some of the top US-born draft eligibles hit the ice, as the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game took place at First Niagara Center last month. In addition, the BMO/CHL Top Prospects Game will be held less than an hour’s drive away in January, as the Niagara IceDogs will host the event for the top Canadian draft-eligible players.
This game offers hockey fans in Buffalo a great opportunity to get a taste of OHL hockey as well as get a glimpse of some solid junior players and future NHLers.
For those who are perhaps less familiar with the OHL, take note that there are several unique rules to the junior league that may not be the same as those in the NHL.
For instance, any player who receives two fighting majors and goes on to receive another will be served a game misconduct. If a player removes their helmet before or during a fight — game misconduct and a one-game suspension. Visors and neck guards are required. The spin-o-rama in a penalty shot is permitted, so long as the puck doesn’t come to a complete stop, etc. The OHL is also stricter about penalties such as checking from behind and checking to the head, infractions which can result in game misconducts and suspensions.
ERIE OTTERS LOOK TO STAY HOT
The Erie Otters have had a spectacular start, going 8-0-0-1 so far. Three Otters in the top five league-wide in scoring, and the team sits two points behind Oshawa for first place in the OHL.
Many eyes will be on captain Connor McDavid, but there are other Erie Otters players that should be noted, including center Dylan Strome.
The 17-year-old is in his second year with the Otters and has been projected by NHL Central Scouting as a first-round draft pick in 2015. So far this season, Strome has 23 points in nine games. And yes – he’s the younger brother of NY Islanders forward Ryan Strome, but is making quite a name for himself in Erie.
McDavid has 25 points (8-17) in nine games this season.
Lots of family connections with the Otters; Mason Marchment is the son of former NHLer Bryan Marchment. Trent Fox is the younger brother of Canucks prospect (and former Otter) Dane Fox. Brothers Darren and Taylor Raddysh, and Kyle and Quentin Maksimovich, are all on the team as well.
Another draft-eligible player to watch for the Erie Otters is defenseman Travis Dermott, who’s been pegged as a second- or third-round draft pick. Dermott recently missed time with a foot injury and did not skate in the Otters’ practice at First Niagara Center Tuesday.
Fans should also keep an eye on rookie center Alex DeBrincat. The 16-year-old Detroit native won’t be eligible for the draft until 2016, but he could really turn heads over the next year and a half. He already has 16 points (11-5) in nine games in his first OHL season.
Several Otters already have NHL connections: Troy Donnay (NYR), Kurtis MacDermid (LAK), Kyle Pettit (VAN), Devin Williams (NSH).
The Erie Otters head to Buffalo coming off a pair of wins over Sudbury (3-2) Friday and London (6-2) Saturday. After Wednesday’s game, they’ll head to Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury before hosting Plymouth October 30.
NIAGARA ICEDOGS LOOK TO BUILD OFF VICTORY
Although there not as many highly-touted future NHL draftees on the Niagara IceDogs, the team from St. Catharines has its own share of players that fans may wish to watch during Wednesday’s game.
Defenseman Vince Dunn and left winger Graham Knott are both projected as second- or third-round picks in 2015, while center Hayden McCool has been slotted as going between the fourth and sixth rounds by NHL Central Scouting.
Knott is currently tied for the team lead with seven points in nine games this season; fellow left winger Billy Jenkins shares that spot, with one goal and six assists.
Dunn leads IceDogs defensemen with five points (2-3) on the season, while McCool has tallied a pair of assists and racked up 11 penalty minutes so far this year.
Other players to watch include center Carter Verhaeghe and left winger Mikkel Aagaard, who each have six points. Aagaard also leads the team with a plus-six on the season.
One player on the Niagara IceDogs has a local connection; goaltender Stephen Dhillon, who is from Buffalo.
The ’98-born netminder has appeared in one game this year so far, an 8-5 loss against the Belleville Bulls on October 11. Dhillon came in to relieve MacKenzie Savard, who allowed four goals on nine shots.
Like the Otters, several players on the IceDogs already have NHL connections. Verhaeghe is a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect; Brendan Perlini was selected 12th overall by the Arizona Coyotes this past June. See also: Blake Siebenaler (CBJ), Brent Moran (DAL), Cody Payne (FLA) and Aaron Haydon (DAL). Perlini is out with a broken hand.
The IceDogs head to Buffalo coming off a 4-2 victory over Sudbury on Saturday. After Wednesday’s game at First Niagara Center, they’ll host four consecutive games at the new Meridian Centre. Wednesday’s matchup against Erie will be the first of a three-in-three set, with Kingston and North Bay visiting on Thursday and Friday.
The puck drops tonight between the Erie Otters and Niagara IceDogs at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the First Niagara Center box office or online here.