Czata primed for breakout season
There is a new and improved version of Ethan Czata skating for the Niagara IceDogs this season.
The 17-year-old sophomore forward already looks more comfortable and confident after just three exhibition games.
Czata fired a goal Sunday as the IceDogs dropped a 5-2 decision to the Brantford Bulldogs before 824 fans at the Meridian Centre.
Czata now has two goals and five points in three pre-season games after netting seven goals and 17 points in 62 regular season games last year.
“I feel stronger, bigger,” said Czata, who figures he has grown about an inch over the summer. “To be honest, I feel way better. I feel way more comfortable. I feel like I can adjust to the play and it’s a lot easier than last year.”
Czata, who was selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, figures to play a more prominent role this year.
“I think I can do a lot better than I did last year offensively. I feel I can make plays, shoot more, make more goals happen,” he said. “You can’t be afraid to make plays. Plays are how you get points and how your team scores and I feel that’s what I have to do.”
Czata said playing for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August was a big step in his development.
“I think it definitely helped me with my confidence, realizing I am one of the top players in the country and I can play a lot of different roles and can do a lot more things to help my team,” he said.
Czata has been skating on an effective unit so far with sophomore Ivan Galliyanov and impressive rookie Braidy Wassilyn. Wassilyn netted the other Niagara goal Sunday and has two so far in pre-season.
Czata said the trio went to skates all summer and played in summer league together.
“I was with Was (Wassilyn) the whole summer — I work out with him — so that kind of helps,” he said.
Czata has high praise for Wassilyn, IceDogs top selection from the 2024 draft.
“He’s a really good rookie. Offensively he’s the best you can get out of a rookie, I feel. He makes plays that the puck just gets to your stick somehow,” he said.
The loss drops Niagara’s to 1-1-0-1. The IceDogs are at Windsor Saturday, Sept. 21 to conclude the pre-season.
“I think this year we’re more established,” Czata said. “Everyone wants to win. I think this is the group we want to win. The coaching staff, management, everyone is dialled in on making the playoffs this year and I think that really helps.”
Washington draft pick Patrick Thomas paced Hamilton with two goals while Nick Lardis (Chicago), Nikolas Rossetto and Cole Brown added singles.
Owen Flores faced 42 shots in goal for Niagara.
The IceDogs topped the Bulldogs 5-2 Friday in Brantford.
Jack Brauti had two goals while Wassilyn, Kevin He and Andrei Loshko scored for the IceDogs. Czata collected three assists.
Charlie Robertson made 36 saves for Niagara.
Niagara opens the regular season Friday, Sept. 27 at Ottawa. They are in Kingston Sunday, Sept. 29 and in Oshawa Friday, Oct. 4 before hosting Brampton Sunday, Oct. 6 in their home opener.
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