IceDogs add depth down the middle
The Niagara IceDogs added forward Daniel Michaud from Oshawa for a pair of draft picks Monday. Photo by: OHL IMAGES.
The Niagara IceDogs added some depth down the middle Monday, picking up centre Daniel Michaud from the Oshawa Generals before the Ontario Hockey League trade deadline of noon.
The IceDogs sent the Generals a third-round pick (Sault Ste. Marie) in 2025 and their own sixth-round selection in 2023 to acquired the 18-year-old native of Burlington. Michaud turns 19 Feb. 14.
“There is a lot to like,” IceDogs general manager Joey Burke said. “He came into the league highly touted. He’s a high second-round pick and has Team Canada national experience and was a star in his draft year.
“Our entire staff really loves him. He has good size (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) and does a lot of things well.”
Michaud has been playing the wing in Oshawa but will be moved back to centre with the IceDogs.
“We feel he’s going to be coming into a more comfortable situation for himself here,” Burke said. “He’s a guy we have coveted for a while and he fits our age group perfectly.”
Burke said he is happy with the team’s strength down the middle.
“We want to find that balance and depth,” Burke said. “With the way (Cam) Peters is playing and with (Ryan) Struthers and (Declan) Waddick, younger guys who have shown well, we’re creating depth down the middle and we’re excited about that.”
According to Burke, Michaud is a well-rounded player on offence. In 27 games this season, he has four goals and seven assists.
“Definitely makes plays, wouldn’t be a pure trigger man but he does have a nose for the net and he does have those goal-scoring instincts for sure,” Burke said. “He’s a guy who does it all well and I truly believe he’s a guy, right now, who’s coming into his own in the OHL.
“I think a bit of a fresh start and a change of scenery for him is going to go a long way.”
The IceDogs also dealt the rights to forward Ethan Sims to the Hamilton Bulldogs for a 13th-round draft pick in 2025. Sims, who began the season in Niagara, is currently playing with Milton of the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he is expected to remain and be available to the Bulldogs as needed.
The IceDogs have a busy week with a rescheduled game Tuesday in Hamilton followed by home games Thursday versus Barrie and Saturday versus Kingston sandwiched around a road game Friday in Mississauga.
“It’s a crazy stretch,” IceDogs head coach Billy Burke said. “I like practising so it’s going to be tricky that way. It’s very much a pro style and I think we should be able to handle it that way.
“We’re going to have to use our bench more. It’s too taxing to try and ride the same guys. They’re young and full of energy and we’ll see how it goes.”
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