IceDogs name leadership group
The Niagara IceDogs named their leadership group Thursday, From left: Connor Federkow, Gavin Bryant, Alex Assadourian, Zak Lavoie, Kevin He. Michael Podolioukh, absent, was also named an assistant captain. Photo: NIAGARA ICEDOGS.
The Niagara IceDogs are doing things a little bit differently this year in the leadership department.
The team announced Thursday the naming of six alternate captains who will share the leadership duties in the absence of a team captain.
Alex Assadourian, Connor Federkow, Gavin Bryant, Kevin He, Michael Podolioukh and Zak Lavoie will all wear assistant captain A’s this season on a rotation basis.
“As an organization we have put a tremendous emphasis on two things: character and culture. We are very excited to see the players named today embrace the responsibility of leading our team to success on and off the ice,” IceDogs interim general manager Wes Consorti said.
Assadourian, a 2005-born forward who attended Maple Leafs Development Camp this past summer, will be entering his third OHL season after recording 33 points in 34 games last season. Assadourian previously spent time with the Sudbury Wolves after being drafted by them 37th overall in the 2021 Priority Selection.
Federkow, a native of St. Catharines, will get the opportunity to wear a letter for his hometown team after spending the last four seasons in the London Knights organization.
Bryant will wear an A for the second consecutive year after being named an alternate captain for the Owen Sound Attack during the 2022-2023 season.
He, who tied the franchise record in goals for a rookie, will wear an A as he enters his NHL Draft year. The second year forward put up 21 goals and 34 points in his rookie season.
Podolioukh, a veteran forward from Toronto, spent two seasons playing for the North Bay Battalion before being acquired last season. He was drafted 70th overall in the 2020 Priority Selection.
Lavoie, acquired from Mississauga last season, recorded 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points in 41 games for the IceDogs.
The IceDogs open up the regular season in London Friday. The two teams meet again Saturday in the IceDogs home opener at the Meridian Centre.
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