Waddick flashes potential
Declan Waddick gave the Niagara IceDogs a brief glimpse of the future Tuesday night.
The 17-year-old centre scored his second goal of the season on a spectacular individual effort that highlighted his quickness, willingness to drive to the net and scoring touch.
“Declan has done a great job of improving and developing his speed, strength and overall game so far this season,” IceDogs coach Billy Burke said. “Declan is going to be a big part of us for years to come and I can’t wait to watch him reach his full potential.”
Waddick, who was selected in the second round (39th overall) of the 2021 Ontario Hockey League draft, has endured the usual growing pains as a rookie.
“Obviously it was newer for me playing with a lot of older guys but now that I’ve gained more confidence I feel better every game I play,” said Waddick, a native of Lakeshore (Essex County). “It’s crazy. I’m still getting used to it. The game is a lot faster than it was in minor hockey.”
Waddick was robbed of his final season of minor hockey due to the COVID pandemic. His last full season was the 2019/20 campaign when he lit it up offensively with 32 goals and 56 points in 30 games for the Sun County Panthers U15 AAA squad.
“It was hard because I didn’t get a minor midget year. I didn’t get that experience. I’m still adjusting,” he said. “It was very disappointing.”
Waddick made the IceDogs out of training camp and finally scored his first OHL goal in his 13th game Nov. 12 versus Barrie.
Waddick admitted it was nice to get that monkey off his back.
“Obviously, it was really exciting for me,” he said. “I had played tons of games without scoring and scoring felt like I was back in minor hockey. It was really good for me.”
Waddick has been playing lately on an effective energy line with Ryan Struthers and Juan Copeland or Anthony Agostinelli.
“It’s new for me. I’m still adjusting and trying to find my confidence and getting comfortable with this role,” Waddick said. “It’s been hard but I’m getting used to it and trying to excel at my role.
“I just have to earn my spot and continue to work hard.”
Burke loves Waddick’s approach to the game, on and off the ice.
“He is a smart player so he has been able to adjust to the play away from the puck and that has helped his confidence to grow with the puck,” Burke said. “He already treats his body like a pro and even though he may not look like the biggest guy, he is rock solid.”
The IceDogs bring up the rear of the OHL standings and have dropped four of their last five games, which does not sit well with Waddick.
“I hate losing. Losing just bothers me and I’m trying to do as much as I can for the team to win. It’s hard losing every game so you have to play as hard as you can,” he said.
Waddick is confident things will begin to improve.
“It’s frustrating and it’s stressful but I think it’s going to turn around and we’re going to start winning some games,” he said. “Mississauga is a top team and we just played them two games in a row. I found Mississauga was a very hard team to play against. They’re very good defensively and it’s hard to play against teams like that.”
The IceDogs (10-22-1-1) are home to the Ottawa 67’s (17-19-1-2) Friday then hit the road for their next six games beginning Saturday in Peterborough followed by a Sunday afternoon game in Ottawa. Their next home game is Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. versus Sudbury.
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