IceDogs shoot, minor hockey in region scores
Exhibition games set for Thorold, Beamsville; D bolstered with vet from Kitchener
Frank Doherty Arena in Thorold and Fleming Centre in Beamsville will be homes away from home for the Niagara IceDogs after the Ontario Hockey League preseason gets underway in two weeks.
Niagara is scheduled to play four exhibition games before the season opener, with both of the team’s “home” games taking place in the region.
A 7 p.m. faceoff with the Barrie Colts Friday, Sept. 1, in Thorold and Friday, Sept. 15, versus the Kitchener Rangers in Beamsville are part of an ongoing commitment by the IceDogs to support minor hockey in the community.
Admission to the game in Thorold is $10, with all proceeds from ticket sales, as well as other gamenight activities, going to the Thorold Minor Hockey Association.
Tickets can be purchased at https://stcatharines.snapd.com/ events/view/1067668, by calling Thorold minor hockey at 905-227-1946 or Kathy Dittrich at 289-969-0135, or by emailing fundraising.TAAA@gmail.com.
They are also available at DaBomb Bath Co., 59 Front St., Thorold, Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Papa Vince Pizza, 2 Sullivan Ave., Thorold, daily, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; as well as the arena box office on the night of the game.
Ticket sale information for the Beamsville game will soon be posted on the IceDogs website, www.niagaraicedogs.net. Proceeds from that game will support the Lincoln Minor Hockey Association.
Niagara’s other preseason games are Monday, Sept. 5, at Barrie, starting at 6 p.m.; and Friday, Sept, 9, at Kitchener, a 7:30 p.m. puck drop.
Barring injury, suspension or a healthy scratch, the games in Thorold and Beamsville will give fans in the region their first opportunity to see 2015-16 Kitchener Rangers rookie of the year Elijah Roberts patrolling the blue-line in an IceDogs uniform.
Niagara acquired the 5-foot-8, 159-pound left-shooting rearguard for three future draft picks they had from other teams: 2018 thirdround pick, from Saginaw Spirit; 2019 third-round pick, from Barrie; 2020 second-round pick, from Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
The 18-year-old from Brampton had seven goals and 25 assists in two seasons with the Rangers. He is being touted as a playmakring defence capable of bring a physical edge to his game.
“We are thrilled to be able to add Elijah to the IceDogs today,” Niagara general manager Joey Burke said in announcing the acquisition. “He is a player I have coveted since his draft year who will fit right in with our fast, dynamic group.
“Elijah is a guy who will be exciting for IceDogs fans to watch over the coming years and will immediately bolster our young back end.”
Roberts, who played triple A minor midget in the Toronto Marlboros organization before moving up to the Rangers, has a big upside as far as his new team is concerned.
“Elijah has the character and talent to excel in Niagara, and we could not be more happy to be able to add him to our program,” Burke said.
Roberts was plus-14 in 59 games in his first year in the OHL and plussix in 65 games as a sophomore. He competed at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as a member of Canada’s under-18 team last summer.
Niagara opens the regular season Sunday, Sept. 23, on the road against the Hamilton Bulldogs. First home game for the IceDogs is Friday, Sept. 29, when the defending OHL champion Erie Otters visit Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines for a 7 p.m. faceoff.