Another Juan gone
The Niagara IceDogs shipped forward Juan Copeland to the London Knights Monday in a multi-player swap. Photo by: OHL IMAGES.
The Niagara IceDogs Monday swung another deal their favourite trading partner.
Less than a week after acquiring Connor Federkow and Mike Levin from the London Knights for a pair of draft choices, the IceDogs shipped veteran forward Juan Copeland and two picks to the Knights for forwards Ryan Humphrey and Mathieu Paris.
The draft picks heading to London are a second-round pick (North Bay) in 2026 and a third-round selection (Flint) in 2026.
Humphrey, an overage-forward from Michigan, had five goals and 13 points in 24 games with the Knights last season after being acquired from the Hamilton Bulldogs where he was a member of the Ontario Hockey League champions in 2022.
Humphrey has skated in 171 career OHL regular season games and 40 career playoff games, recording a total of 117 points. He was drafted in the eighth round, 150th overall, by the Bulldogs in 2019.
“Niagara is pleased to welcome Ryan to the IceDogs family. Ryan brings a high level of leadership and compete level. He has won championships and understands what it takes on and off the ice to achieve that. He will be a valued member of our organization in every aspect,” IceDogs interim general manager Wes Consorti said.
Paris, a native of Ottawa, was drafted in the third round, 56th overall, by London in 2021. He played the 2021-2022 season in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League with the St. Thomas Stars, recording 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points in 39 games, while also skating in four games with the Knights. Paris, 18, played 45 games for the Knights last season, recording eight points.
“Niagara is pleased to welcome Mathieu to the IceDogs family. Mathieu is a high IQ player with great playmaking ability that will further strengthen our lineup. He is another great addition to our organization on and off the ice,” Consort said.
Copeland, 18, spent two seasons in Niagara after being selected in the second round of the 2021 draft. He collected 22 goals and 43 points in 115 games.
The IceDogs have a history of trading with the Knights, making several deals with London since owner Darren DeDobbelaer purchased the team last summer, including swaps for goaltender Owen Flores and graduated defenceman Gerard Keane. Niagara also dealt defenceman Sam Dickinson, who refused to report last year, to the Knights for seven draft choices.
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