Attention to Detail As A New IceDogs Season Begins - Dog Pound Podcast: 2025-26 Season Preview - The Armchair GM's Sports Network

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to the Armchair GM Sports Network.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
This is Rod Mahood, your in game voice of the
Niagara Ice Dogs, and you're listening to the dog Pound Podcast.

Speaker 3 (00:37):
On the Armchair GM Sports.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Network, your podcast hourse for all game analysis, team interviews,
and up to date news regarding the Niagara Ice Dogs.

Speaker 4 (00:50):
Over Time, Ice Dogs, Wind the Brush a Pace, also.

Speaker 5 (00:57):
Jima, It's a power play, gol Many Ice Dogs.

Speaker 1 (01:01):
Headley scar host sang First School as an Ice Dog.

Speaker 3 (01:06):
Trump Stop Shipley, Gritchie.

Speaker 6 (01:07):
Scarf, it gets it to a kill.

Speaker 4 (01:09):
Thomas Thomas has the ankle coming in Bato.

Speaker 1 (01:19):
Welcome into this season preview episode of the Dog Pound Podcast,
the official podcast of your nag Or Ice Dogs, right
here on the Armchair GM Sports Network, proudly brought to
by Global Pet Foods, where pets are unnapally part of
the family and their three Great nag Or Region locations
and fun Hill, Niagara Falls and Scott Street in Saint Catherines.
Thank you to those that are tuned in on our
new video layout here on the YouTube side, and those

(01:40):
that are listening in your favorite on demand audio platform.
Make sure to hit like, hit subscribe, and smash that
bells you can see on the little QR code there
if you're watching on the video version, Brandecudo and Christian
Simmons are here gonna discuss Niager Ice Dogs opening week
of the regular season for the twenty twenty five twenty
twenty six OHL season first game on Friday night up
in Brampton and then their home opener we back at

(02:02):
the Meridian Center in Saint Catherines on Sunday afternoon.

Speaker 3 (02:05):
Will be also recording a.

Speaker 1 (02:07):
Live postgame show for that as well, So if you
guys are enjoying those you know there, they will continue
going on into the season for the Sunday home games
with Christian and myself, so giving you a live reaction
with head coach Chris BArch and a select player from
the game. So as far as today's season preview show
and how that's going to go, We've got a couple
of show topics that I can quickly pull up on

(02:28):
the screen for you guys that are following along on
the video side of things here for our new video layout,
going to be a lot more a visual for you
guys here. As going forward, we've got OHL opening week.
As I've discussed the many acquisitions ins and outs for
the nag Rice Dogs, a very new roster under new
general manager Frankie Vola, a lot of eyes on the
twenty twenty five twenty six NHL Draft, with Ryan Robrick

(02:50):
being named number four on TSNs board, Brady Wasslin possibly
a first round pick as well, and then Ivan Galianov
hoping to have his name called at the NHL Draft
as well. Then we've got the preseason fan polls from
you fans out there through five polls yesterday, with some
names that you guys thought that are going to have
big impacts on the team this season. And then outlook

(03:12):
and big expectations as you guys see from the CHL
and the OHL Power rankings, some high hopes and high
expectations for the Ice Dogs already coming off their first
playoff burst since twenty eighteen nineteen season last season against
the Barry Colts. So with that said, make sure to
give us a follow on x at Dog Pound podcast
the update with all of our Ice Dogs coverage as
well as on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook by searching the

(03:35):
Armchair GM Sports Network. So Christian, all that out of
the way, Excited to have you on board for your
first video episode, we did the training camp episode, the
live podcast as well as the training camp interviews. So
now as the preseason ends and we look ahead to
the regular season, your general thoughts on what you're thinking
from Frankie Vola and Chris Barchess squad going into the season.

Speaker 4 (03:59):
Yeah no, there's there's a lot of things to like
and a lot of question marks heading into a season
where the Ice Dogs have a ton of pressure on
them to really perform this season. But excited to be
here on the video podcast. Shaken in my boots, man,
I get the face for radio. So this is this
is a little concerning for those of you who are

(04:19):
listening on the audio platforms. Definitely a better medium for
you to capture this podcast. But yeah, no, really excited
for this season. It's like Christmas and Halloween's not coming
anytime soon because it's the best time of year. Hockey's back,
the regular season's back, and I'm really excited for what

(04:40):
this group has to offer this year. Brandon, you take
a look at everything they've been doing this offseason, new
coaching staff with a ton of pedigree, a lot of
championship caliber coaches, and then at GM and Frank Evila
that brings a ton of experience, has a whole lot
of accolades here in the OHL as well. And I
think it's been an active and fluid couple of days

(05:03):
here in Dog Country. And I guess I'm just as
curious as the fans to see how some of these
things are gonna work out. And I think it's gonna
be a tough start to the season, but it's gonna
be a good test. And I don't know brand if
you had a chance to take a look at the schedule,
but the first couple of games here in twenty twenty five,

(05:23):
twenty twenty six are are definitely gonna put the pressure on.
You know, you got you got Bramford, like you said
tomorrow night on Sunday, We're back home. You see Brampton
Bury Friday, Yes, Brampton Friday. Sorry, Sudbury Sunday. And then Saganaw,
Windsor and Barry. So a bunch of teams that you know,
not only in the preseason but also last year were

(05:45):
tough matchups. Brampton had a preseason victory over the Niagara
Ice Dogs and then last year Sudbury, Saganaw, Windsor and
Barry all teams that we know very well placed well
in their own divisions and in the conference. And then
Barry of course the here of the the uh, what
can we pick the enemy, the villain from last season,

(06:07):
a team that you know we definitely want to get
back at so uh following a first round postseason exit.
And I think for a team that's got a lot
of new characters, a lot of new faces, a new
coaching staff and a new general manager, I think the
start of this season is and as you take a look,
it's on the screen here. Those are some tough matchups
in the early going and big tests for a Nigre

(06:29):
team that it's still searching to find an identity. You know,
you take a look over the last week or so,
some of these these new trades. You know, Liam Spencer
coming in from the night, some new presence on the
back end, you know, Matthew Virgilio heading to the Monkin
Wildcats and the QM JHL. It's a totally different look
up front. You got Riley Patterson coming in, you got

(06:50):
Ryerson Edgar coming in. You got some new depth players
filling out the bottom six coming in so and then
the goaltender situation also up in the air. So I
I think the first couple of games are gonna be
really important, not only to get off to a strong
start kind of like they did last season, but also
to really find out, you know, where does some of
these pieces fit.

Speaker 3 (07:10):
You know, who's gonna fill what roles, and what.

Speaker 4 (07:13):
Can you expect from each and every dog on you know,
any given night.

Speaker 1 (07:18):
And yeah, they got two massive road trips coming up
to start the season. You're in Sagon on Flint and
then the next weekend you're in Winsor and Sarnia. So
two major back to back road trips to start the season,
which they only do play those teams once a year,
so they get them over quickly at the beginning of
the year. Kind of a good thing. And it's a
good way to start off and bond with, especially a
brand new team, be able to get to know the

(07:39):
guys a little bit, have that little bit of camaraderie
on the road trip. So I think that's a good
thing for a team that has so much turnover as well.

Speaker 3 (07:46):
Yeah, no, for sure.

Speaker 4 (07:47):
I mean I know from my days playing hockey, those
long road trips, the tournaments. You know you're staying in
a hotel, I don't know if these boys are playing
any mini sticks in the hotel. I would imagine they're not,
you know, major junior athletes, but you never know. But
the tournaments, the travel definitely great, you know, bringing guys together,
and I think, like you mentioned, for a team that's young,

(08:07):
relatively inexperience with one another, there's really only a handful
of guys, you know, back from last season. We were
talking about it earlier today, Brandon, you know, the turnover
right here in Nigras is really low. And that's not
just on the ice, it's off the ice. It's a
totally fresh organization. I think those road trips are definitely
going to service some of these guys well as we
get going here.

Speaker 1 (08:27):
So let's take a look quickly at the preseason from
our first show topic. There the ice Dogs, you know,
two and two in the in their four preseason games,
and again, you can only take preseason with a green
of salt because there are players missing. There are players
that you know, teams just decided not to play in
the preseason. Like there's there's so many moving parts that,
again with any any sports preseason you can only take

(08:49):
it with so much with players missing and what have you,
and some teams playing six games as opposed to four,
So the Ice Dogs were two and two in that
regard in the preseason. As far as the player stats
as well, and again this also has to be taken
with a grain AsSalt as well, because again some players
only played in one preseason game or two out of

(09:09):
the four. So when you look at it, though, Ryerson
edgar good start for him in his first action in
the Ontario Hockey League preseason, four assists in the four games.
Ivan Galianov two goals, one assist in the three games,
so good, good for Galley to get off on a
good start. Then Cole Cooksy two goals in the four games,
Brady Wasslin a goal that assist in his one game

(09:32):
that he played in the preseason. So Ethan Zada, Kevin
he and Riley Patterson are all away at their respective
NHL rookie camps and then training camps. You know, whenever
they do get sent back will be interesting. As you mentioned,
might be short handed a little bit, but that's what
happens when you start to become a good team. Look
at teams like the London Knights of the windsor Spitfires,
they missed five six players at the start of every

(09:54):
year Branford Bulldogs and Kitchener Rangers. Looks like it's going
to be possibly a you know, ohl ch be a
ship preview on Friday, and both of them are gonna
be help half their lineups are going to be out.
So yeah, it's that that's part of it, right, And
that's sort of the discussion that we talked about in
the oh on sixty. Should there be a week off
before the season starts to have those players, you know,
be able to uh, you know, circle back to their

(10:15):
their junior teams, and especially with those big matchups at
the beginning of the year. It's tough when you're you're
missing some of your top end players. But you know,
general thoughts on on those Ice Dogs, you know, preseason
stats and and obviously getting Patterson, he and Zada back
will be important.

Speaker 4 (10:31):
Yeah, yeah, I know for sure, and I think for
Forias and Egger, I mean, great start. You know, you
see him at the top of this the statistics leaders
here for the Ice Dogs in the preseason. It's got
to be a big boost for him and for sure
for you know, a guy who's just trying to get
his feet wet somebody who really needs to start understanding
the level of play. To have that kind of production

(10:52):
in the preseason is exciting for him, but also for
the fan base. I mean, it's kind of rewarding for
general manager Frank Evila and for the whole organization to say,
you know what, that guy looks good, and you know,
we're happy with the guy we got in at that
tenth overall selection.

Speaker 3 (11:06):
And I agree, I think he's looked fantastic.

Speaker 4 (11:09):
Uh you know some of the games I was able
to catch in the preseason, you know, just taking a
look at how comfortable he looks, the size that he brings,
the speed that he plays with his hands, his vision,
everything seems to be coming kind of coming together at
the right time for Ryerson. Edgar was held scoreless in
the preseason, but I don't think that much matters or
matters much.

Speaker 3 (11:29):
Excuse me.

Speaker 4 (11:29):
I think he was he was dynamic, he was offensively active,
and I think he put himself in lots of great
spots to score. He just wasn't able to find the
back of the net. And I don't think there's anything
to be worried about there. And again, as we kind
of go down the list. You know, Galianov, Cole Cooks,
Brady Wasselin, ethan Zada, all the guys that you want
to be up at the top of the you know,

(11:51):
depth chart there and you know scoring they're they're doing it.
You know. Galianov is coming into a huge season for himself,
hoping to be a late round draft selection in this
upcoming NHL draft. He got off to a great start
in the preseason at a point per game for ethan Zada,
great start for him, a goal in and assist, and
continues to be a strong defensive presence. Brady Wasslin on

(12:14):
the comeback trail from an injury. Frank Evila has kept
us relatively in the dark with that injury, and of course,
you know, no gripes there, you know, one of your
top guys, you're not going to be releasing a whole
lot of information. But I liked what I saw from
him in that first game of the preseason. He was
he looked act, he looked fast, he looked fast, and

(12:35):
his shot looked even faster. A kind of guy last
year that had that pass first mentality wasn't really looking
for the twine, you know, it wasn't really you know,
given goalie sunburns on the back of their next per se.
But I think this year he's going to fill a
bigger role. Offensively, it's going to stay, you know, with
that strong passing ability, but hopefully add some scoring to

(12:55):
his game. And we saw some flashes of that in
his preseason. And then for Ryan Robrick, guy that can
change any game at any time. It's just up to
him does he want to you know, does he want
to change the game. And I think for Roebrick, the
preseason was a little bit of a teaser. You know,
we got an appetizer of what Ryan Robrick can do,
but I think there's lots more to come and the

(13:18):
full course should be delicious, so to speak, because he's
got such a high ceiling and the skill and the
size that he brings to a team like this is exciting.
And then Riley Patterson and Kevin he and you know,
all these pieces it looks really good, you know, it
looks exciting. There's a lot to be excited about for
a team that has such a strong core up front.

Speaker 3 (13:40):
I think the preseason was a great taste and.

Speaker 1 (13:43):
Even for those those depth guys as well, like Rehees Smith,
who asserting his presence. Already ten penalty minutes in three games.

Speaker 3 (13:51):
So guy was fighting all over the place. Guy in
the bottom picks.

Speaker 1 (13:54):
You look at guys like Sean Doherty, You look at
newcomers Jacob Monks, Alex Hage, you look at you know,
some of the new comers on the back end as well.
So that kind of segues well into the second topic
in today's episode, and that is, you know, the massive
turnover that you kind of mentioned at the beginning there,
and the additions and and the stamp that Frank Frankie

(14:14):
Vola and head coach Chris Barts are putting on this team.
And as you guys can see on the video version,
massive amounts of players in and players out from last season.
It's it's pretty incredible when you think about a Christian
It's funny because a lot of the the the young
core is still intact, if still Row Brick, Zada Wastlin,
Kevin he and then as well with that Ryerson Edgar

(14:36):
coming in in the draft, but a lot of a
lot of big time players, uh, you know, moving out
and and some coming in as well. So when you
look at that list and and you just see and
and again, not all these guys will be on the
roster that necessarily are signed, as Frankie Vola said to
us in the preseason, but it's definitely something that the
they wanted to address with things that happened last season

(15:00):
on and off the ice and going through a really
tough stretch in the second half, still making the playoffs,
getting that good playoff experience, but for a team that
really wants to take a next step and be a
top four team in the Eastern Conference this year with
those high expectations, Christian Frankie Bola definitely had a plan
and he's you know, implemented that so far.

Speaker 4 (15:20):
No, he's a man on a mission, and I think
he's on a mission to win an OHL championship, and
you can see that with these moves that he's made.
You know, he's he's kept a lot of the good
pieces of the niger Ice Dog's roster from last season
and he started to bring in some pieces to maybe
fill out the puzzle, you know, some of those spots

(15:41):
that we were lacking last last season maybe and and
in prior seasons, some areas in which this Ice Dog's
team needs to improve upon. For me, there's a couple
of spots. You know, you take a look at what
he's done in the defensive core. He's made drastic moves.
There just three returning defenders for the Niger Ice Dog.
They added some size last year. Their biggest defender was

(16:05):
six foot one. This year they added Ben Rezeneger six
foot three. They added Liam Spencer from the London Night
six foot five, So they're adding a little bit of
size on the back end and bringing in some talent upfront.
And like you said, you know, we'll take a look
here at the defensive cores where the majority of these
moves were made. You got Liam Spencer from the Knights,

(16:27):
Grayson Tiller coming from the enemy, the Barry Colts signing
and acquiring Sebastian de Lelcha from the Sat Andrews College
and the suit Greyhounds, and then you got Ben Reesenecker
of course from the import draft twenty sixth the overall
selection out of Chechia. And just three of those seven
defensemen coming back. And I think that that's an exciting thing.
And you know, we'll go back to what I said earlier.

(16:47):
It's a little bit daunting, but it's also exciting at
the same time. For a team that's looking to make strides.
To your point, Brandon, there's nothing better than of kind
of a fresh start. And I think for a Nigrifans
and for the frame, for the players, everybody's really excited
to see what this Ice Dog's team can put together.
And I think they're built strong from the back end.

Speaker 3 (17:08):
I think they.

Speaker 4 (17:08):
Got a large group of not just physically large guys.

Speaker 3 (17:14):
They got some big defenders.

Speaker 4 (17:15):
That are gonna be able to maybe play a little bit,
you know, tougher, a rougher style of game that might
allow them to go deeper into the playoffs. And we
saw in Barry, you know, a team that basically just
you know, banged them right out of the arena.

Speaker 7 (17:28):
You know.

Speaker 4 (17:28):
The Colts played a physical style of hockey that Niagara
just really wasn't prepared for in Round one. And I
think Frank did a good job of kind of filling
in some of those gaps with some big, physical defenders.
And then also up front, they added some depth. They
added Ryers and Edgar, they added Riley Patterson, they added
going back to the defensive core, Liam Spencer, a guy
who's got a ton of playoff experience, a guy.

Speaker 3 (17:49):
Who's been to the Memorial Cup, has won a Memorial Cup.

Speaker 4 (17:53):
So he's doing all the right things. It's just for me,
it's about what do the players go out there and show.
You know, there's only so much he can do from
the back end, and for us as armchair gms, there's
almost only so much we can do. You know, we
can speculate, just like Frank can speculate. You know, you
can put a product out there, but you know, sometimes

(18:13):
people just aren't gonna buy it, and you know, the players,
for example, might not buy in. And you know, there's
a lot of expectation here and I think high expectations
and hopefully the players respond well. And then for me,
just the biggest question mark would be in between the pipes.
And I think we've been talking about this for a
couple of weeks now and it's not changing.

Speaker 5 (18:31):
You know.

Speaker 4 (18:31):
Vladislav your Malaco finally here, made his way through customs
and found his way into dog country, which is really exciting.
Matt Humphreys and Charlie Robertson there as well, But still
lots of uncertainty. You know what, who's really gonna be
the number one guy?

Speaker 3 (18:49):
You know? For Robertson, and Matt Humphries.

Speaker 4 (18:50):
Both guys had around sub five to four goals against
averages last season, didn't have strong performances. You know, Owen
Flora is basically anchoring the crease. You know, those two
guys relatively unproven in their OHL time. And then here
here's a guy, Vladyslav your Maleco who comes from Chechia
or sorry, Belarus, excuse me, and had fantastic numbers for

(19:13):
a team Belarus team in the last couple of seasons.
And I think he brings exactly what they're looking for
and kind of a fresh start in between the pipes
and a guy who's looking to make a strong debut
in the OHL. And I think there's a lot to
like there. But that's the big question mark for me.
You know, the upfront, solid on the back end, big

(19:34):
solid experienced players, the top seven offensive core intact. What's
happening in the blue ice? You know, that's where the
questions for me lie.

Speaker 1 (19:44):
And again, those three overagers in Loshco, Flores and Van
Vliet there they're tough guys to replace. Your number one center,
your number one goalie, and your number one defenseman that
logged a ton of minutes. So when you look at that,
that's why, you know, I think Frankie Bolas saw that,
you know, not only revamping the and getting harder to
play against on the back end, they needed to to
really replace some of those key players that we're leaving.

(20:06):
And even you know, guys like Alex Assidori and Matthew Parris,
those are are valuable veterans that they had last season
that they they have to replace, right So even Mike
Levin produced some goals as well. So those are guys
that you see why the Jacob Monks of the world
have been brought in, you know, uh, the Reith Smith,
the Cole Cooksy as we'll get into with the the overage,
uh you know, discussion and and all those sorts of things.

(20:29):
Riley Patterson brought in, so uh, Alexander Hage. So there's
a lot of moving parts, as Frankie Bola mentioned, and
even at the time of recording this full disclosure, like,
we don't know all the answers either, right, So there
could be a trade that comes down while we're recording
this episode, and and you know we'll have to talk
about it on next week's show.

Speaker 4 (20:47):
But take my phone off, do not disturb so we
can catch some of these transactions, you can get the
live the live commentary. But yeah, no, it's a good point.
Like I think, it's still a ton of uncertainty. But
for me, it's it's it's hard, right, It's hard because

(21:07):
there's positives and then there's question.

Speaker 1 (21:11):
Marks, and we don't know how they'll all fit together. Right,
a lot of players haven't played with each other yet exactly.

Speaker 3 (21:17):
The chemistry's in question.

Speaker 4 (21:18):
But the top six to me looks lethal lethal, right,
you know, you take a look, Right, you got Ethan Zada,
you got Kevin he you got Ryan Robrick, you got
Ryerson Edgar, and you got Riley Patterson. Assuming Edgar is
in the top six, I would assume, based off of
his preseason performance and the top end potential that he
brings to this team, he's probably gonna be up there.

Speaker 3 (21:41):
I don't know that there's too many.

Speaker 4 (21:43):
And then Brady Wasslin, Oh my god, I can't believe
I almost forgot about Wazi. So, you know, you take
a look at that top six, it's it's hard to
imagine this Ice Dog's team not finding that kind of success.
But then you look at the bottom six and it's like,
who are these guys?

Speaker 3 (22:01):
Like, you got a bunch of players.

Speaker 4 (22:02):
That nobody in the ohl let alone niagro Ice Dogs
fans have ever seen, and it's kind of like, Okay, well,
what can we expect from them? Like we know what
Kevin he and Ryan Robrick and Riley Patterson and Brady
Wasslin are going to do in his sixty five game, ohls,
we just don't know what's going to happen with the
bottom six. So it's the bottom six, it's the defensive play,

(22:26):
it's the goaltending. For me where I'm just a little
bit concerned that, you know, there hasn't been a whole
lot of bonafide verified information for us to really go off.

Speaker 1 (22:38):
Of right man, at the time of this, like they
still have four overragers with with Cole Cooksey, Andrew Wisick,
Grayson Tiller and Charlie Robertson. And again, the website online
for you fans has kind of been all over the place.
There's been changes, it's been guys in and out of it.
So you know, as I was told that the what
you saw on the website is not the full story.

(22:59):
So whatever sort of happens with that they've got a
decision to make in the crease again, do you keep
Charlie Robertson around with that taking up an Oa spot.

Speaker 3 (23:08):
It's all really going.

Speaker 1 (23:08):
To depend on your Malanko, who's finally now here in Nagora,
arrived on Wednesday. You got a young goalie in Matt Humphrees.
They released William Lubamov or earlier today. With your Malanko
coming in, Hayden Jeffries back down with the St. Catherines
Falcons for now. So there's a lot of question marks
and it's all going to be depending on how your
Malenko adjusts to this Ohl style, And as we kind

(23:30):
of brought up in the training camp episode, how him
and Matt Humphries are going to kind of carry the
load and fill the gaps for a guy like going
floors when he plays so many games and then he
graduates on who's going to take that next step forward?
And I think that's where the question mark of Charlie
Robertson comes into this. And we'll see how Frankie Vola.
Maybe he might not make a decision right away. It

(23:51):
might be something that he waits like a month or two,
sees how things go Charlie Robertson coming off with double
surgery in the offseason as well seeing him get back
into game action for the first time in quite a
while since since January, So a lot of questions and
to me, like like I said in the media poll
that the OHL put out, that's all going to depend
be dependent the X factor in net.

Speaker 4 (24:12):
Yeah, and it's also an overager conversation because if your
Malnko is not ready to go, then Charlie Robertson probably
sticks around, and then you got to cut another forward,
you know, or a defender, right, you know, when you
take a look at the over agers and maybe we'll
talk a little bit more about this later, but you
got Charlie Robertson, Cole Cooksy and then two defenders and

(24:33):
Andrew Weissick and Grayson Tiller, And how do you navigate that?

Speaker 1 (24:37):
Right?

Speaker 4 (24:38):
If again, if you're Melanco is good, he's good to go,
then maybe Charlie Robertson isn't a part of this team,
and then you know, it opens up some doors for
you know, those two guys on the back end, and
maybe you know, Cole cooks you up front to stick around.
But then you know there's also the offensive side of things.
That's that's another variable. You got fourteen guys rostered right

(24:59):
now up front and only twelve spots, So you know,
does Cole Cooks he make the top twelve? Does he
make the bottom six lines? And then maybe you don't
worry about that. Charlie Robinson sticks around. So you know,
there's all like you said, there's all these question marks.
There's the forwards, there's the overagers, there's the defenders. And
then you're Malenko from Belarus. You know what does he bring?

Speaker 3 (25:22):
And you know, hopping off a plane just the other day.

Speaker 4 (25:24):
So I think again, these first couple of games are
going to be really important. And with some of these
guys you know at NHL camps, you know Zada Kevin,
he these guys not back and Riley Patterson of course
not back for a couple more games. It gives an
opportunity to these guys to really show what they have.

(25:46):
And I think not only for a strong start, not
only for the fans and not only for us to
really get an idea of what this Ice Dogs team
is gonna bring, but for Frank Evla to understand what
he has in these first couple of games before some
of the guys come back from NHL camps, so he
can really start to formulate, Okay, what am I going
to do with this overage situation? And I think those

(26:07):
first couple of games are going to give him a
really good chance to do that.

Speaker 1 (26:10):
And that's why you have a couple of carryover roster
spots just in case certain things might happen in the
first week of the season and having that luxury of
having some depth where you know, in past seasons they
might have not even had ten forwards that you thought
were Ohl calibers, So they've got fourteen of them here
with the new NC DOUBLEA eligibility. We'll see how sort
of things go. And again that's all we can tell

(26:32):
you is what we're going off of right now is
what we see on the screen. So that's h And again,
by the time we record our first you know, postgame
show on Sunday afternoon, maybe some things are different, but
that's that's the beauty of the Ohl opening week.

Speaker 4 (26:49):
So and you know what, I don't know that it's
gonna be too different come Sunday night, because you, like
we talked about, there's still so many questions, there's so
many questions, and I doubt they're going to be answered
in two games this weekend. And I think we're still
going to have lots to speculate on, but maybe a
little bit better of a sample size, some stuff for
us to really dig our teeth into, and maybe we

(27:10):
can help you guys, You guys can help us. And
you know, maybe that's for a later point in this
episode with some of those fan polls, But I think
for me, just excitement, excitement and passion and nervous energy
as we get ready for puck drop tomorrow night.

Speaker 1 (27:26):
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Speaker 8 (31:13):
Hey's Ryan Roebroke.

Speaker 4 (31:14):
This is ethan Zider, This is Brady Woslin, and this
is Ivan galianof This is Kevin.

Speaker 7 (31:17):
He and this is the Dog Pound Podcast, the.

Speaker 11 (31:20):
Official podcast with the Nagara Ice Dogs.

Speaker 1 (31:37):
Welcome back to part two of today's Dog Pound Podcast
season preview episode right here on the Armchair GM Sports Network.
Brandon Twutto and Christian Simmons back with you, continuing to
discuss ohl opening week for the nag Ri Ice Dog
for the twenty twenty five twenty twenty six season. First
part of today we talked about the preseason the the
major additions and subtraction list from new general manager Frankie.

(32:00):
In the second part of today's show, we're gonna go
over fan polls, We're gonna hear from quick thoughts from
GM Frankie Vola, and get the outlook what we're looking
at for this upcoming season for the Ice Dogs. Some
high expectations for individual players and for the team as well.
Make sure to give us a follow on x at
Dog Pound Podcast. Stay up to date with all of
our Ice Dogs coverage as you can see on the screen.

(32:21):
If you're watching on the video version, make sure to
hit like it, subscribe, smash that bell to say up
to date with all of our video coverage here on
the network this season. There's our merch store as well
for you guys that want to get in on some
of our armshair GM merch and as well. Thank you
to those that aren't watching us today that are loyal
listeners on the audio podcast, so make sure to give
us some love and whatever one you choose to listen

(32:41):
to us today. So with that said, Christian gonna be again.
When you look at this opening week and with the
Ice Dogs again, we talked about it's still gonna be
missing some players, but a lot of optimism, high hopes
for this team. New head coach Chris Bartch. We talked
to him at tree camp. You saw him at training camp.

(33:02):
The way he wants to instill is four core principles
into this team and a way that this team is
going to play, the identity within the Eastern Conference in
the Ontario Hockey League. You know, I guess what are
your initial your initial thoughts on what you've seen from
head coach Chris BArch as they've gone on through the preseason,
and how he's not only going to take the players

(33:23):
that Frankie Vola is going to give him at his
disposal for his lineup card, but then implement how the
Ice Dogs are going to play.

Speaker 4 (33:31):
Yeah, I think I've said this to you before, and
I think I've said this on some of our other
podcasts that I think Chris BArch is the leash that
some of these dogs need.

Speaker 3 (33:41):
I think he is. He brings that alpha male energy.

Speaker 4 (33:45):
I had a chance to watch him on ice during
training camp and there was a couple of bag skates,
there was a couple of things that you know, you
don't typically see in an Igri Ice Dogs or any
OHL training camp for that matter, and he just brings
that attitude. He brings you know, this is. This is
not you know, a joke. You know this is And
I think coming off a season last year where there
was there was quite a few, you know, things maybe

(34:07):
off the ice and on the ice that you wanted
to kind of forget, he brings the right mentality this
season that you know, we're gonna get it done, and
here's how we're gonna get it done. I'm gonna lay
it out, there's a template, there's a formula. You're gonna
buy in. We're all gonna buy in, and hopefully at
the end of the season, we're gonna be standing there
with a trophy in our hands. And I think, like

(34:28):
I said, he just he's the right guy. He's the
right guy to really bring it in. And of course
his assistants around him, you know, with John Jutty and
Luke Israel coming from the BHL, There's there's a lot
happening behind the bench that's really exciting. And I think
Chris BArch is kind of that the big dog, so
to speak, for all these puppies to kind of fall

(34:49):
in line.

Speaker 3 (34:49):
And I think.

Speaker 4 (34:52):
I think he's gonna be great for this organization. I
think he's going to really guide some of those players
that are maybe looking to pursue NCAA opportunit. You know,
with the combination of himself and John Judtsy having that
NCUBA experience playing in Minnesota State, I think they're gonna
do a great job of preparing some of those aspiring
NCAA Division One and so on and so forth athletes

(35:14):
maybe here in Ontario and the OUA and really kind
of helped push them in the direction they need to go.
And then for some of those aspiring professional players and
the guys that are kind of on the NHL track.
For a guy who played a physical, gritty, long NHL career,
he's going to know what to say for those guys
as well. So I think there's a lot to like

(35:35):
for these players with this coaching staff. And then for
Luke Israel being that younger champion in the BCHL and
the new development league of the OHL, the GOJHL back
with the Listawal Cyclones found a Sutherland Cup championship there.
So I think it's a great new coaching staff. And
not to take anything away from Chris BArch, I think
we got to remember, you know, John Jutsy and Luke

(35:57):
Israel and Ryan Ludzig are there as well, and they
also bring fantastic pieces to this puzzle. And I think
it's just right across the board, a great coaching staff
and his.

Speaker 1 (36:06):
First time as the head coach at this level. So
we'll see how that how that transition goes for him,
but again has shown why he's deserved of this job
through his prior coaching and being a development coach with
the Sabers at the pro level and everything he did
as a player as well, so he's very relatable to
the players as well. But also, you know, wants to
make sure that, as you mentioned eloquently, you know, wants

(36:29):
to make sure that they're they're held to a standard
and accountability that's going to allow them those opportunities offensively
to shine. But also remember that it starts out in
your own end and playing that solid team games. So
with that said, we're going to start with our first
segment of the season and our first monthly maintenance check
in with general manager Frankie Vlan. That's brought to you
by Wild Bills out of Repair helping customers stay safe

(36:51):
and confident on the road in twenty since twenty twelve
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Frankie Voles quick Chat this week with Bill Potter's friend
of the show from BPSN made.

Speaker 5 (37:03):
Some can you just kind of maybe go over some
moves that you made recently for me, I looked at
the roster and obviously you've done some cutting here right.

Speaker 6 (37:11):
I moved hotless, So obviously we have abundance of forwards
here and it's something that you know, obviously it's an
opportunity and go somewhere else or get some ice time.
But that's the thinking with the with the hot list
being moved on obviously right now Virgilio is we moved
on with through Virgilio. He's going to be going in

(37:32):
another direction. And we have some d that I brought
in and there will be some more things in the
works here in the next little while. But that's the
nuts and bolts of everything. Our important goalies coming in tomorrow,
so okay, so that's a positive as well. But other
than that, you know, there's three guys NHL camps. But

(37:53):
he wasn't still injured right now. But that's why we
need extra bodies, and we need extra bodies as if
he moves on here.

Speaker 5 (38:00):
You so what what what happened to O Waslon?

Speaker 6 (38:02):
You just got some bumps and bruises.

Speaker 5 (38:04):
Okay, Okay, that's fair enough. That you said that you
may be doing some other things too. Is that based
on you know what you see or that that you
just what do you think that.

Speaker 6 (38:14):
My team moving forward?

Speaker 10 (38:15):
Yeah?

Speaker 6 (38:15):
What things we need to address things we uh, you know,
things that I see and you know things that I
foresee in the future. It's not only for this year,
it's for the future. It's for today and tomorrow and
next year. So it's we've always got to it's not
just for today.

Speaker 5 (38:31):
It's moving forward, absolutely. And how hard is it at
this time of year, Frank, where you know, guys are
at NHL Caps, guys are moving in and out trying
to fit all those pieces in because it's kind of
a moving target a little bit, isn't it.

Speaker 6 (38:43):
Yeah, every team, all twenty teams are dealing with the
same things, so you know, you can't feel sorry for
each other. It's just's just the nager of the beast one.
You know, this year we're missing three guys plus and
the guy that's injured, and there's guys teams like Branford
and Windsor that I was in the past like Windsard's
missing nine guys and go get some guys back. But
it's that's you havn't flows a junior hockey and you

(39:03):
have to adapt to it. And yeah, you know he
has to dress some depth and that's unfortunately we're starting
a week earlier from last year. Yeah, everybody, everybody is.
So it's not like we were the only.

Speaker 5 (39:14):
Team for sure, for sure. Yeah, and just looking at
your roster now with you mentioned that the import goalies
coming in, so as of now, it's the safe to
say him and Humphries will be the two goalies going forward.

Speaker 6 (39:27):
Him, Humphries and Robertson right now or the three guys
that I see here, and we'll figure out what. You know,
it's up to them. Who's who's what, Who's what? Are
the coaching staff. That's not only myself, but I collaborate
with the coaching staff and Ryan Ludzick here that's our
goalie coach. He has more in tune of what's going on.

Speaker 5 (39:44):
And you said that there's going to be some other
stuff maybe in the next day or two or leading
up to the Friday.

Speaker 6 (39:49):
Yeah, there's there could be some more moves. I don't
know exactly, but yeah.

Speaker 1 (39:53):
There was general manager Frankie Vola on the first monthly
maintenance check in. And very thankful to a friend of
the show bill Patchers BPSN for providing me with that
quick audio that he was able to get from General
manager Frankie Vola. Very busy week down there at the arena,
so I wasn't able to go down and get many
segments that we would usually have for our shows. Just
a crazy week practicing off site because there's something going

(40:15):
on at Meridian Center as well, players in, players out,
So a really tough week to be able to get access.
So we'll have more segments and things like that for
our shows going forward. But thank you to Bill from
BPSN for providing us with that. Christian. Your quick takeaways
from what Frank had to say, you know, some injury
updates and some updates on some other things.

Speaker 4 (40:34):
Yeah, well, Waslyn the big one? What's going on with
Preddie Wosslyn? And how long is this going to hinder
this nig Er Heist Dog's team for one of the
big guys here, for the ice Dog, somebody that they
rely on night in and night out to produce offense.

Speaker 3 (40:50):
You know, how long is he going to be out
of the lineup?

Speaker 4 (40:53):
And again, you know, for a team that doesn't have
those NHL guys you know out at camp. He's an
even bigger part to this team, right and one of
the leaders. And I think that's a little bit concerning,
you know, when can we expect to see him back?
And Frank did say, you know, relatively minor injury. He's
on the comeback trail, you know, not too much to
be concerned about, but never a good thing, you know

(41:16):
when you hear that one of your big guys is
out with an injuries. So for me, a big takeaway
would be Brady Woslin just kind of paying attention to
his return and excited for his return. You know a
guy that you know, you take a look stats up
on the screen. Now, last year, you know, thirty nine
points in sixty two games, played a strong role offensively,

(41:36):
more of a pass first guy, expected to feed guys
like Kevin he and Ryan Robrick and you know, put
pucks on those snipers sticks. You know, guy you know
like Roebrick forty one goals and Kevin Heath thirty one goals,
you know, thirty six. Sorry taking a look at you know,
where did those goals come from? Pretty good guests is
probably number sixty six and Brady Wasslin. But this really

(41:57):
year old, yeah, exactly, And I think for this season
I get the impression he's looking to be more of
a goal scorer. I think he wants to improve his
draft stock, and that's gonna be a great way for
him to do it is start ripping biscuits and we
saw it in the preseason, like that goal that he scored.
He came off the rush on the right side, cut
out to the high slot, he fired it and I

(42:17):
looked right at Brandon.

Speaker 3 (42:18):
I was like, oh my, did you did you see that?

Speaker 10 (42:21):
Yeah?

Speaker 4 (42:21):
And I was paying attention to it kind of in
training camp, and I saw the way he was firing
the puck.

Speaker 3 (42:26):
So I think he's going to be a big time producer.

Speaker 4 (42:29):
And obviously concerned for his injury and helping him the
best and his recovery and hope to see him back
on the ice at the Meridian Center and outside of
it for the rest of this season. And then of course,
the other takeaways from the interview with Frank is you
know just how fluid the team is, and you know
he's he mentioned that, you know, Hotless a guy who's
who's heading out, and Vergilio or Verge a guy who's

(42:52):
also on his way out. And it's just such a
fluid state right now for this Ice Dog's team. There's
a lot of changes coming and still maybe some changes
that you know, we're not ready for, and I think,
you know, Matthew Virgilio was one of them, and maybe
a guy like Charlie Hotless as well, expected to fill
a bigger role this season in the bottom six. He's
also on his way out the door. So I think,

(43:14):
you know, the doghouse is changing, and we can expect
more and more to change here in coming days and
in the coming weeks, as we get closer and closer
to kind of a finished product, as we welcome some
of the NHL guys back, and we get you know,
the goaltender situation figured out, and the the main six
of the seven defenders on the roster also start to

(43:34):
kind of formulate their position. But I don't think Frank
is done, and that's what I take away from that interview.
He is still very actively looking to make changes to
make this team a winning team this season.

Speaker 1 (43:47):
And I did like how he brought up about every
team goes through this right now and when you're when
you're a really good team, this is sort of the
luxury that you get when you have players that are away,
that have the opportunity to be away at NHL camps.
This is sort of the waters you have to navigate
when you're a really good team. You look at those
other great teams that are going through this. You mentioned

(44:07):
This isn't just a Niagara thing. All the teams, the
top teams are going through it. So when you have
a team that has this caliber of roster, that's why
you have to have so much depth to be able
to fill in when these guys are away at not
only NHL camps, but if there ever have the opportunity
to go away to World Juniors, you know, you miss
a month of that season as well. So those really
good teams and those really good programs that have so

(44:29):
many NHL drafted players that are away at big tournaments,
they're able to still stay above water because of the
depth within the organization. That organizational depth not only at
this level, but as you mentioned, maybe guys that are
developing in the GOGHL or the OGHL. You know, having
those guys be able to come up and being able
to develop. And that's the key thing right now in

(44:49):
the developmental league. How can your organization withstand a few
of those injuries or players being away. And hopefully Waston
is just going to be very short term, but those
are you have to navigate through a sixty eight game season.

Speaker 4 (45:02):
Yeah, you have to, and I think to your point
into Frank's you know, to have the luxury and the
gift of having a ton of top end talent comes
right along with the curse of having to wave them
goodbye sometimes. You know, like those guys they belong to
other teams, they belong at different levels, and you can't

(45:24):
hold them.

Speaker 3 (45:25):
You can't.

Speaker 4 (45:26):
And unfortunately, right now, you know, you see some of
them at NHL training camps and playing some preseason games,
which is really exciting for them, but of course for
Frank and for the Ice Dogs, it makes things more difficult.
But like you said, it's just part of the territory.
To Frank's statement in the interview, it's part of the
ebbs and flows.

Speaker 3 (45:43):
Of junior hockey. This is what you expect, you know.

Speaker 4 (45:46):
And for him, I guess it's a good sentiment to
the team he's put together. If he's got guys going
to NHL training camps, he's doing his job right. You know,
he's producing a solid roster of draftable NHL talent. And
I don't think anybody is going to complain that some
of their own are representing the niger Ice Dogs in

(46:06):
NHL uniforms.

Speaker 1 (46:08):
So let's get into our next topic on today's show,
and that is going to be the fan polls from
you guys out there. If you're not already getting in
on our fan poles for our shows, make sure to
give us a follow on x at Dog Pound podcast
to stay up to date with those when we do
post poles for our show, so you guys can get
in on the conversation. So let's start off. Let's let's
start off with the first one that I put up there,

(46:29):
even though it's you know, the most important one, but
who will be the Ice Dog's team MVP this season?
For you guys looking on the video version, If not,
you can just follow along with us in audio. Read
off the the options really quick. Here the the options
I provided were Kevin he, Ryan Robrick, Ethan Zada, Brady Wastlin.
Ryan Robrick Win wins this poll with sixty six percent.

(46:50):
Kevin He second at twenty four percent, with Brady Watson
and Ethan Zada you know a little bit further behind
in that. And I don't really think that there's much
surprise here to a lot of people.

Speaker 3 (47:03):
Christian.

Speaker 1 (47:03):
I have my thoughts on on things, but these are
the four key members of the Niagara Ice Dogs team
that are all going to be major impact players this season.
Two of those guys being draft eligible first round picks,
and Robrick and Zada and Roebrick and Wastlin, Kevin he
Ethan Zotta both NHL draft picks and signed to the
NHL team. So all four of these guys are gonna
be big.

Speaker 3 (47:23):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (47:23):
Absolutely, And I think this list could just go on
and on and on and on, and I think I
don't know that these four really capture the top end
talent the Ice Dogs have. You know, you leave Riley
Patterson off the list, you know, you leave Ryerson Edgar,
who could have a massive rookie season with some of
these early telltale signs. But I do think Ryan Robrick
coming in at the top of that poll is not

(47:44):
a big surprise. I mean, you take a look at
what he did last season. He had eighty seven points,
a forty one goal scorer. And to my point and
to yours, we've talked about this, when he wants to
be he's the best player in any building in the OHL,
and I think it's gonna be up to him this season.
Does he want to be the MVP? Does does he
want to score every other night? Does he want to

(48:06):
really wear that letter? With pride this season and does
he want to be a top five NHL draft pick
in this upcoming season. I think all the tools are there.
You know, he's got the size, he's six', four he's two.
Fifteen he can score from anywhere in the offensive, zone
and he can play with a physical brand hockey like
we saw in training camp and in the preseason he
was getting. PHYSICAL i think there was some mits flying

(48:28):
in training camp as. Well so there's a lot of
things to like For. ROBRICK i just think he's got
to go out there and he's got to show. It
he's got to be, excited he's got to be he's
got to be motivated for this season and it's a
big season for. Him AND i CAN'T i can't imagine
he doesn't bring his best in his draft. Year and
that's gonna be exciting for the Naig Rice. Dogs and,
again like for a guy who can single handedly take

(48:49):
over a, game even in some games where it's just
not even his, night you, know he'll go forty minutes
with one hand on his stick and wake up in
the third and put four in the back of your.
Net and and for a guy who's coming into his
draft season with a whole lot more eyes on. HIM
i think he's gonna bring his best in year number
three with The Ice, dog SO i can't really complain
with him at the top of THE mvp polling.

Speaker 3 (49:11):
There kevin heat number two can't really complain there.

Speaker 4 (49:14):
Either you know a guy you KNOW Nhl Ready, speed
a two time thirty goal scorer in THE, ohl could
be a forty goal scorer this season as he continues to.
Develop and of course the captain here for The Niagara
Ice dogs just brings a whole lot of stuff that
you really like to. See AND i think for him
another important season hoping to make THE ahl or THE

(49:34):
nhl next season as he slowly approaches the last couple
of years of his junior hockey, CAREER i think it
would be great for him to continue showing that offensive
caliber and then of course to hopefully hoist AN ohl
championship would be even. Better and Then Ethan Zada Brady.
WASTLIN i Think zada is one of those guys that

(49:55):
you want to see him do the same thing he
did last. Year and if he can do, THAT i
Think tampa's going to be. Happy niagar's gonna be. Happy
he's gonna be. Happy his dad's gonna be. Happy you
know That Ethan zada's father is a big fan of the,
Show so shout out to, you Mister. Zada but for,
SURE i think For ethan a big season here coming.
Up AND i think if he can show that defensive

(50:17):
prowess that he did last year and also be an offensive.
Threat you, know last year he had fifty five points twenty.
Goals you, know nobody really saw that. Coming what does
his ceiling look like this? Season what can we expect
offensively From Ethan? Zada SO i think he's in the.
Conversation and then For Brady, wasstlin LIKE i mentioned, previously
a guy who had just under fifty points last season
looking to make a big. Jump AND i could definitely

(50:40):
see him scoring twenty plus maybe thirty this. Season and
if he keeps all those apples right alongside those, goals.

Speaker 3 (50:46):
He could put up a big season as.

Speaker 4 (50:47):
Well so four guys THAT i can't really complain about
in THE mvp.

Speaker 1 (50:51):
Conversation, yeah And washton now would be you, Commit so we'll,
see you know, how he has a good possibly last
the ohl season here after breaking The Ice dog's rookie
assist record as being drafted as a goal. Scorer but
quickly On roebrick having that extra extra year of eligibility
for that because of the late birth. Year he would
have been drafted last year if he was born a
little bit a little a couple of months, earlier so

(51:13):
he has that extra year of eligibility to be able
to have a great. Season forty one, goals eighty seven,
points you'd expect that to be over one hundred and
possibly fifty to sixty goals maybe For Ryan robrick if
he wants to be the first nag Or Ice dog
taken in the top five since the days Of Ryan
strom And Dougie. Hamilton it's been a, while but the
Last Ice dog's first round pick Was Phil thomasino in

(51:33):
the twenty NINETEEN nhl, Draft so it's been quite a.
While you, Know zada And Kevin he you know the
second and third and fourth round picks as. Well So
Ryan roebrick a lot of, eyes a lot of expectations on,
him and like you, said you hope that you can
see him go out there and do it on a nightly,
basis you, know with all the eyes on him and
all the requests that he's probably gonna get from big

(51:53):
time media to want to ask him questions from. Scouts
it's going to be a big year on and off
the ice For Ryan, robrick and you, know hopefully he
can handle all that that's gonna come with that well
deserved you, know draft to draft stock that he's he's
earned at this. Point but for, Me Ethan, zada AS
i put on the media poll for THE, ohl is
going to be to me the most valuable player just

(52:15):
because he's a. Center the rest of these guys on
this list are a lot of. Wingers you're Losing, Loshco
you're Losing, acidori and those are two big time centers
that ate up a lot of minutes for your. Team
Ethan zada plays in all situations for this, team power,
play penalty. Kill he's so good on the, draw he's
so good at a two way player that as much
as these top end elite wingers are going to be,

(52:37):
VALUABLE i think What Ethan zada brings down the. Middle
that's WHY i chose him as my player that is
going to be the most valuable to his team this.
Season because of everything Ethan zada brings in the middle
of The Ice.

Speaker 4 (52:48):
Yeah, NO i think he's just he's such a versatile
player and a player that you don't get the pleasure
of watching and having on your team very. Often you
don't find twenty one goal scorer in The Ontario Hockey
league who can kill.

Speaker 3 (53:02):
Penalties you just don't see.

Speaker 4 (53:03):
That and he brings, size he brings, length he brings
a lot of smarts and talent in the face off
dot like you, said and there's just so many sides
to his. Game he's an onion with all these. Layers
AND i think for The Ice dogs and for head
Coach Chris, bartch it's just how are they going to
use him? Right how are they going to use him
and hopefully put him in those spots to really be
a big time. Contributor as we move on to poll number, Two,

(53:26):
brandon tell us all about this.

Speaker 3 (53:27):
One what do we got.

Speaker 1 (53:28):
Who will be AN x factor for the team's success this?
Season guy that might not necessarily be one of those
top end guys that we mentioned in THE mvp discussion
for the, team but Forward Ivan, galliana Forward Sean, doherty Goaltender,
vladissev You're, malenko and young Goaltender Matthew. Humphries Your malenka
wins this poll with fifty two. Percent galliana was second at,
Thirty humphreys at, Fourteen Sean doherty at Four all four

(53:52):
of these guys to me bring, a you, know an
important element to this. Team doherty And gallianov as top
nine forwards that are are very good two way. Players
gallianov that guy that's you, know often forgotten about in
this draft year as well With woslyn And, Roebrick doherty
just a solid bottom six. Guy and then the, goaltending
as we've kind of mentioned, already so it's we've already

(54:14):
basically discussed the whole goaltending. Situation You're, christian but You're
malanco takes this, One.

Speaker 4 (54:19):
Yeah AND i AND i think that's it's the fans
are obviously paying.

Speaker 3 (54:24):
Attention you, know THE x factor is in between the.

Speaker 4 (54:26):
Pipes whoever's in net for this team is going to
either be THE x factor or going to be somebody
that's gonna hopefully not get a lot of. Criticism but
at the end of the, day if they can't Fill
o In flora's, shoes if this team cannot be a
strong team in their, division if they can't live up
to the expectations that they.

Speaker 3 (54:46):
Have it's going to be a spotlight shined on the.

Speaker 4 (54:49):
Crease and For Vladislavia, malenko being the only guy that
we haven't, seen he rightfully takes this spot as THE
x factor for The Naigriis dogs this. YEAR i Think
galiana of a very close, second and for, me a
guy who brings a lot to the. TABLE i, think you,
know for fans and for, scouts there's a lot of
stuff In galianov's game that you're really gonna. Like AND

(55:11):
i think he brings something that some of his other
players don't and something That Chris BArch will probably relate.
To AND i think he's gonna find a lot of
success for This Ice dogs. Team and then of Course
matt Ham frees and our fourth Member Sean, doherty a
goal scorer in the bottom, six somebody who can rip the,
puck AND i think he'll also be a factor as.

(55:33):
Well BUT i Think ermalanko finds him finds himself at
the top of that, list and for very good.

Speaker 1 (55:39):
Reason and then which will be the most Impactful Ice
dog's newcomer on forward, Again Riley patterson takes his poll sixty.
Percent second was the young Rookie Ryerson edgar first round
pick at twenty seven. Percent Jacob monks And Alexander hage
also on this. Poll all four of those guys look
like they're gonna have impactful seasons for The Ice. Dogs
all brought, in you, know By fret general Manager Frankie

(56:01):
vola Getting Ryerson edgar to commit when you, know have
to be into the. Summertime there was questions, there but,
again he's gonna go through some growing. Pains let's not
put too much expectation on a sixteen year old, forward
especially with this, team BUT i do Think Ryerson edgar
is gonna have a great rookie season as a sixteen year.
Old Riley patterson takes this, poll A Vancouver canucks prospect
and a guy that at the time of recording our

(56:22):
training camp, episode he wasn't even on the. Team and
then all of a, sudden the piper comes in for
those five draft, picks and you, Know Frankie vola brings
in another valuable right shot winger to add to the
fold as.

Speaker 4 (56:35):
Well, yeah, no for, Sure AND i guess we're gonna
have to make a new poll tomorrow because you, know
as As frank continues, here we're probably gonna have to
keep making new. Ones BUT i Think, patterson for, sure for,
me has to be the most impactful newcomer on this.

Speaker 3 (56:50):
Team you look at what we gave up to get.

Speaker 4 (56:52):
Him you got five picks going the other, way a
second rounder in twenty twenty, six a third and a
sixth and twenty twenty, seven and then a third in
a fourth in twenty twenty. Nine that's a lot of
potential talent in coming years that we've given up to
get this guy. Here you, know a fourth round pick
of The Vancouver, canucks a two time twenty five goal
scorer in The Ontario Hockey, league a guy that's gonna

(57:14):
bring a lot of. Experience he was a part of
the team that saw them lose in the playoffs last,
season so he brings a lot of. Experience he brings
a lot of, talent he brings, size he brings, grit
AND i think he's poised to be the most impactful.
Player AND i think not just for the skills that he,
has BUT i think he also has to.

Speaker 3 (57:35):
Be i'd see.

Speaker 4 (57:37):
That you, know there'd be a lot of criticism if he,
Wasn't If patterson comes in this, season we give up
five draft picks to get, him and he doesn't have
the kind of season he had last. Year twenty five,
goals you, know thirty four, assists as you can see
on your screen if you are listening or watching on
the video.

Speaker 3 (57:51):
Podcast had fifty.

Speaker 4 (57:52):
Nine points in sixty four games For barry last, season
and had a sixty two point campaign in twenty two.
Three so a guy that brings a ton of, offense
and we need that offense for what we've given up.
HERE i think if he can't bring that, offense it's
gonna be it's gonna be tough sledding for head Coach
Frank evla and company up there with the brass. Tacks

(58:15):
SO i think it's gonna be an important move for this.
TEAM i Think patterson's coming in to fill an important,
role to be in that top six and maybe fill
some gaps that they had last. Season BUT i really
think there's emphasis from the fan base as, well like
this guy has to, produce you, know he's got to.

Speaker 3 (58:30):
Produce if he doesn't, produce we've got a, problem you.

Speaker 4 (58:33):
Know AND i think For Ryerson edgar maybe not the
same kind of, pressure BUT i can see why he
comes in at number two on that. List you, know
he showed flashes in the, preseason he showed flashes in training.
Camp we've all seen the tape From. Yac we've seen
what he can do. Offensively we've seen the physical side
of his. Game we've seen his, speed we've seen his.
Hands there's a lot to. Like it's just how long

(58:54):
is it going to take for him to adapt to this?
Level AND i think when he, does we can expect
a very talented offense. Player but for, Me patterson takes the.
Poll no problems. THERE i could see him having a
big time impact for this. Team AND i think he has.

Speaker 1 (59:07):
To twelve points and sixteen playoff games as, well so
they're definitely going to need that come playoff time as
well from a guy that had a strong showing for
The colts as they went to The Eastern conference final last.
Season so few more minutes, here let's quickly get through
the newcomer defenseman, Poll Ben, Reisenecker Grayson, Tiller sebastian del L,
cha and the recently Acquired Liam spencer from The London

(59:30):
knights for a sixth round draft. Pick it was actually
a Tie Ben resenecker And Grayson tiller thirty nine percent,
Each sebastian Del ch at, Fourteen Liam spencer at eight.
Percent so you already went over sort of the whole
defensive core in the first segment, Today. Christian but all
four of those guys look like they're going to be impactful.
Players But reizenecker as the import coming in and Then

(59:52):
tiller as the big acquisition from The Barry colts for
Alex asidorian the nagrenative coming back for his FINAL ohl.
Season so it's going to be interesting to see how
all four of these guys perform on the back.

Speaker 3 (01:00:02):
End, yeah for.

Speaker 4 (01:00:04):
Sure AND i think you take a, look it's you
got two guys who come from teams that were very
successful in the playoffs last year In Liam spencer And Grayson,
tiller you, Know Barry colts and The London knights. Respectively
and then you got a Guy sebastian Dell lja drafted
by The Sue, greyhounds had a big season with The
Saint Andrews College saints last, season won a McPherson tournament

(01:00:25):
championship with that squad and really showed a whole lot
of presents in, PRESEASON i thought he was defensively, capable
so not surprised with him being you, know coming in
at third in that. Ranking and then For Ben, reesenecker
a massive kid like six three big, presence played in
the check you AT u sixteen AND u eighteen ranks
and had offensive output as. Well he was a guy

(01:00:47):
that wasn't just a shutdown. Guy reiesenecker was offensively capable
In chechia and hopefully he can bring that to his
game here in The Ontario Hockey. League BUT i do,
AGREE i Think Grayson, tiller a guy that was a
part of That Barry colt squad from last, season is
going to look to do the same thing that he did,
there you, know logging eighteen to twenty minutes a, night
hopefully be a shutdown guy here for The Ice. Dogs

(01:01:08):
but For Ben, Reesenecker i'm excited to see the offensive
side of his. GAME i want to see him with,
maybe you, know twenty points this. Season i'd love to
see him with thirty. Plus BUT i think he's a
guy you can expect to chip in offensively as. Well
and then For Liam, spencer he brings the size and
it brings that six to five big body frame that
helps you get to The Memorial, cup and for a

(01:01:28):
team that's aspiring to be exactly there this, season he's
going to be a big. Help and of Course sebastian
delllj also an offensive. Producer so four new guys that
all bring different, things AND i think it's going to
mean a lot of good on ice display.

Speaker 3 (01:01:46):
For The Niger Ice. Dogs as we shift gears here once, again.

Speaker 1 (01:01:50):
And our final poll sort of segues in With Grayson
tiller as, well which overage player will be the most
impactful for The Ice. Dogs and, again at the time
of putting this poll, Out Charlie robertson was not on
The Ice dog's online, roster so that's WHY i didn't
put him on. Here, obviously you can only have three.
Overragers they've got four right, Now Cole cooksy at, Forward
Andrew wisick on, defense And Grayson. Tiller tiller takes this

(01:02:11):
poll at sixty four. Percent second Was Andrew weisick at
twenty three, percent And Cole cooksy comes over from THE
bhl with thirteen. Percent still sort of an unknown of
how he's gonna be able to transition to this, level
but you, Know christian We we've talked a lot at
length about these three players as, well specifically and how
the overage situation is gonna, work And Charlie roberts is
still in the picture as, well SO i want to

(01:02:31):
quickly mention that to everybody that he nothing has sort
of happened in that, regard but something will have to
happen with one of these four. Overragers at some points
you can only play three of, them and, sometime you,
know In, november they'll have to make make a, move
if not. Earlier so you, know are you surprised at
all with the?

Speaker 3 (01:02:46):
Poll not.

Speaker 4 (01:02:48):
SURPRISED i do Like Andrew, wisick AND i think he
could Challenge grayce And tiller to be one of the
most impactful overragers this. Season AND i also, think of
Course charlie robertson depending on how this over agers situation shakes,
out depending on how your malenco plays in between the.
Pipes you, know there's all these, variables, Right BUT i
do Think Andrew weissik showed up fantastic in. CAMP i

(01:03:11):
thought he had great, Legs he's playing, physical showed up
knowing that this was his overage. Season he needs to
be in great shape to make this, roster AND i
think he put himself in a great position to do just.
That SO i Think weisik has done a lot of
work this offseason based off of what he's shown so
far early this, year And i'd BE i wouldn't be

(01:03:31):
too surprised if he makes a jump. Here But grace
And tiller the obvious, choice you, know brings all that.
Experience you, know a guy that you know what you're gonna.
Get you, know he knows how to play in the big,
moments knows how to shut it down when he needs.
To AND i, think you, know for a team that you,
know last year struggled in the latter half of the,
season you, know in those must win, games those those

(01:03:54):
games that really, matter you, know down the, STRETCH i
think it was tough for this team to really hone
in their skills and their, talents AND i Think grays
And tiller is going to allow them to do. That you,
know he's going to be that, presence that that mature
veteran on the back end that knows what it takes
to win in those tight, spots and maybe, vocally but
also you, know lead by example with his play he's

(01:04:15):
going to be a great leader on the back, end
AND i can't really complain too, much BUT i do
Think robertson as well has to be in this. Conversation you,
know it depends on what, happens and you, know in
a couple of weeks, time we'll probably have to revisit
this list as we get you, know a better understanding
of which three overagers are going to. Play you, know
there's obviously that you, know you can carry, four you
can only play. Three so once one of them touches

(01:04:37):
the ice and the other guy so like it's there's
all this stuff.

Speaker 3 (01:04:41):
Happening SO i think this list is probably.

Speaker 4 (01:04:45):
The most ever changing out of all the polls that
we've done here so. Far like we have no, idea
this is by far the most, speculatory no way to
know for, sure BUT i do Agree Grayson tiller is
going to be impactful with whatever role he.

Speaker 1 (01:04:58):
Feels Andrew wii now the longest Tenured Ice, dog the
only remaining player from the twenty twenty one, draft and
he's had three seed three tough, seasons going through some,
injuries hasn't played a lot of, games and he's looking
to be one hundred percent this year for his FINAL
ohl and junior hockey. Season would really love to see
that For Andrew wisick finally have that opportunity to play

(01:05:20):
for a playoff team here In niagaras he didn't get
to play in the playoffs last season as. Well so
it's just really tough to really see a guy Like
Andrew wisik go through it the last three, years work
so hard off the, ice going through so many injuries
and things that he's had to battle through to be
able to get to this. Opportunity and we'd really like
to see him finish out strong here at his overage
year four for The Ice dogs community and fan base

(01:05:42):
that he's been here with now again longest tenured since
twenty twenty. One so, yeah still discussion there with the
over agers and now those things will. Go but as
we sort of wrap up, Here, christian The Ice, dogs
as we, mentioned are ranked on THE cochl and THE
Ohl power rankings AS i pull it up on the
screen here as we you, know wrap up the episode,
today But Ice dogs ranked number. Five but again pre

(01:06:05):
season power, rankings you might as well just throw them
in a blunder and there you, go because you never
know what things are gonna. Happen brampton was ranked number
one coming into last year and things kind of went
off the rails for them with all those high. Expectations
BUT i do believe. Them the almost called Them hamilton,
again The branford And Kitchen Branford Bulldog Kitchen rangers to

(01:06:26):
me with With london And, windsor you, know those are
the four teams to beat in my opinion right now
until somebody can knock those teams off and then you,
know five through fifteen could look completely. Different but it's
good that The Ice, dogs you, know have those high,
hopes especially for this. Season if this is gonna be
the last year for sort of this this young core
with wostlyon possibly moving on If roebrick makes THE nhl next,

(01:06:48):
Year kevin he Ethan zada could possibly you, know be
with THE nhl, Team so this could be the last
portion for a lot of this, core and you'd like
to see them go out with a very strong. Showing
if they can somehow make it to The Eastern conference,
Final i'll have a chance at A bobby Or.

Speaker 3 (01:07:01):
Trophy, yeah, no for.

Speaker 4 (01:07:02):
Sure AND i Think Frank evila is kind of identifying
that as as kind of a storyline this season in many,
ways in many, respects it's their last kick at the.
Camp you, know you say bye to some of these
guys next. Season you got the over ages on their way.
Out you got THE nhl prospects probably moving up in the.
Ranks you, Know kevin HE i would, say is at
least AN ahl player next.

Speaker 3 (01:07:22):
Season so you know it comes at a good time
for them to be ranked this.

Speaker 4 (01:07:27):
Highly but Like Reese dumani said on THE ohl in sixty,
podcasts this could be crumpled up and tossed in a
garbage can. Somewhere it doesn't mean a. Thing the players
still have to go out there and improve. It these
teams have to go out there and prove. It they
have to play the hockey that they've been, given you,
know the expectation to. Play BUT i can't really argue too.

(01:07:49):
MUCH i, Mean brantford wins Are kitchen Or london fantastic
teams last. Season, London Kitchener North bay also great teams last.
Season like you, know but like you, said you could
go anyway, here you, know like there could Be it's.
Hockey it's, hockey Right bounces change the. Game inches change the,
game injuries change the. Game you, know there's nothing that

(01:08:11):
is a guarantee this. Season, yeah it's, great we'll take.
It we're in the top, five. Fantastic you, know we'll
talk about it for five minutes and then forget about
it for five because it really doesn't mean.

Speaker 3 (01:08:22):
Anything we have to go out and earn.

Speaker 1 (01:08:24):
It, exactly and that's what head Coach Chris barks is
gonna want those guys to. Do Starting friday night up
In brampton for The steelheads in A Central division matchup
start with the, year and then another divisional matchup for
the home Opener sunday afternoon against The Sudbury wolves down
at The Meridian. Center want to see the place pack
for the home. Opener going to be an exciting start
to another Ice dog season, here not just for the,

(01:08:46):
team but for us on the show and you. Listeners
thank you very much for being back with us for
another great. Season christian can't wait to have you along
board for all the content at the rank end here
with the episode as. Well cam will be chiming in
on a part time basis as well when he gets
done with all his. Commitments So i'm really looking forward
to what should be a fun season here for you,
know everybody around and associated with The Ice dogs looking

(01:09:09):
to take another big step and a lot of eye
is going to be on them with some.

Speaker 4 (01:09:11):
Players, yeah let's get ter started with a Bang friday
night it starts And sunday at home for the pregame.
SHOW i think it's gonna be a fun week in.

Speaker 3 (01:09:21):
Hockey.

Speaker 1 (01:09:22):
Yep so we will be with you guys for that
live postgame show on our YouTube channel for The Dog
Pound podcast On, Sunday so stay tuned for that Where
christian and myself will break down everything you need to
know about the. Game and here From Ice dog's head,
Coach chrits Bart so with us, said that's going to
wrap it up for Our Dog Pound podcast season preview
episode right here on The ARMSHARE Gm Sports. Network make
sure to hit like hit subscribe to smash that belt

(01:09:43):
you're watching on the video version today and for those
listening and your favorite on demand audio, platform make sure
to hit subscribe on that as. Well for all of
our other audio episodes that come up and do get
released here on the. Network so For Christian, simmons my
name Is Brandon kuddo that's. It The Dog Pound podcast
is probably brought to By Global Pet, foods where pets
are unanially part of the, family and their Three Great
Niagara region. Locations we'll see you guys at the rink

(01:10:05):
On sunday afternoon for another great nag Or ice dog.
Season we'll talk to you. Then you're listening to The
ARMCHAIR Gm Sports. Network

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Attention to Detail As A New IceDogs Season Begins - Dog Pound Podcast: 2025-26 Season Preview

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.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Attention to Detail As A New IceDogs Season Begins - Dog Pound Podcast: 2025-26 Season Preview