Andrei a giant addition to IceDogs
Import Andrei Loshko has fit in well with the Niagara Ice Dogs so far this season. Photo: TIM AUSTEN/OTTAWA 67’s.
The acquisition of Andrei Loshko is looking like a steal for the Niagara IceDogs.
The IceDogs picked up the overage import forward on waivers from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the 19-year Belarus native (he turns 20 next week) has more than earned his keep thus far this season.
Loshko already has two goals and five points helping the IceDogs to a pair of road wins last week to kick off the Ontario Hockey League season.
IceDogs coach Ben Boudreau said it was a no-brainer to bring in the talented centre, who collected 28 goals and 67 points last season for the Huskies.
“Especially one that you didn’t draft, especially one that you didn’t have to give up any future for,” Boudreau said. “We’re really happy to have him and we know it’s only for this year, so we better make the most of him when he is here.
“He’s had a direct impact and I think it is his attitude. His character, the way he conducts himself both on and off the ice, it’s something that this IceDogs organization was really in need of, so he’s been the perfect fit so far.”
As an overage import, Loshko is essentially taking up two roster spots, but that doesn’t concern Boudreau.
“His value is like the two spots,” Boudreau said. “He’s playing with a lot of experience and calm and I think he really slows the game down as far as experience goes and he’s been a really impactful player on both ends of the ice. I don’t think he gets enough credit for his defensive work with his active stick. He’s big, he’s strong, and he wins a ton of face-offs and this team really struggled in the face-off circle last year. The points are really going up for him, but it’s a lot of the other areas that he strengthens this team.
“I mean, he is a huge, huge factor for us through two games and will continue to be so.”
Loshko, who hails from Belarus, had no problem switching teams and leagues when he was claimed by the IceDogs.
“It doesn’t matter. I just wanna play hard and get better every day,” he said. “I like the locker room here. I like the gym, I like the facility. It feels new and modern.
“I like it here.”
Loshko is ready to do whatever is asked of him.
“I just want to help the team to win. That’s the first job — to win,” he said. “I just want to bring them a two-way game, create offence and work hard and be responsible in the D-zone.”
He also doesn’t mind leading by example.
“It’s my fourth year in the league and I know all the small details, like what work to do, what coaches expect from you to play.”
Loshko was a fourth-round selection of the Seattle Kraken in the 2023 National Hockey League draft and went to the team’s main training camp this season.
“That was fun,” he said. “It was tough, but it was fun and a great experience to see how it is there and to see the kind of maturation and how you have to work hard to get there.”
He said the talent level at camp was an eye-opener.
“You practise with the older guys and it’s just like great execution, everything is tape to tape, shots, nice goals, nice plays.”
Loshko, who had a goal and assist for Team Belarus at the 2021 U-18 World Juniors, played three full seasons in the QMJHL, starting off with Chicoutimi before joining the Huskies last season.
He admits the adjustment to North America was a challenge at the start.
“First year for sure it was a very tough. I didn’t know English and it was difficult but you kind of get used to it and you don’t give up,” he said. “You work hard and try to learn a new language and then it’s easier.”
Loshko even picked up a little bit of French while in Quebec.
“Just the simple stuff, and of course, the swear words,” he smiled.
The IceDogs will attempt to improve to 3-0 Friday in Oshawa before hosting Brampton Sunday at 2 p.m. in their regular season home opener.
“Yeah, we missed it. The last home game was March 23 of this year,” Boudreau said “It’s been the better part of over six months and we can’t wait. There’s a lot of buzz right now, especially coming home after winning two games so we’d like to try to carry that momentum, generate some momentum playing against Oshawa on Friday.”
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