Back-up ready for starring role
Colton Incze has provided the Niagara IceDogs with a reliable insurance policy for the past couple of seasons as the back-up for starting goaltender Stephen Dhillon.
But now that he is 19 and has proven he can play at the Ontario Hockey League level, the Oakville native wants more than just to be a safety net.
“My goal is to be a starting goaltender in the league this year,” Incze said. “I’m not sure where that will be necessarily. If it’s here, that’s great. And if I am here, a goal is to win a championship with the Niagara IceDogs.”
Incze, who fashioned a 2.84 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 22 games last season, is well aware Dhillon is the incumbent and it’s possible there may not be enough room in Niagara for two veteran goaltenders.
“I think that’s a decision (general manager) Joey (Burke) will have to make between us,” Incze said. “Whatever ends up happening, I can’t be more grateful for the opportunity they have given me.
“Hopefully I can stay, but at the end of the day, sometimes you have to look at what’s best for everybody involved, not just yourself.”
Incze made it clear there is no animosity between the himself and Dhillon, only mutual respect.
“Stevie is obviously a phenomenal goaltender, I think he’s one of the most underrated players in the entire OHL, not just a goaltender, but as a player. I’ve had a chance to know him and he’s a good friend of mine,” he said. “We’re open about the situation. We both know we want to start this year and I think for right now, we’re taking things day by day, trying to push each other every day.”
Dhillon, who is in his over-age season, is at camp with the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent.
“I hear he’s having a phenomenal camp so who knows if he is ready to play pro this year, then the door is kind of open for me to come in and fill in the spot,” Incze said.
IceDogs goaltender coach Ryan Ludzik feels having two top-notch goaltenders is a good problem to have.
“He made it hard on us last year with the two goalies, but we consider it an asset to have two goalies,” Ludzik said. “It’s huge. It helps out big time. We don’t have to hide guys. We can put up any goalie up against any team. They are both capable winning on every night.”
Ludzik marvelled at how much Incze has improved since his first season.
“He’s made leaps and bounds,” Ludzik said. “You have to give him all the credit because he’s implemented all the things we asked him to work on. He just keeps going up and up.
“He had stuff he had to change to adapt to play in this league and he did that. He’s come in every day and worked and his attitude has been great.”
Wherever he plays and whatever his role turns out to be, Incze has set the bar high this season.
“I think a goal for me personally is to try and be one of the best goaltenders in the league this year. Some people may think that’s a bold goal or an ambitious goal, but I think I know what I’m capable of,” he said. “I’ve been working really hard with Ludzik. I think if you put in the work and you believe in yourself and you stick with the process, then I think results can come from that.”
The IceDogs are in Barrie Thursday, at Kitchener Friday and home to the Rangers in Beamsville Saturday in exhibition action.
Niagara opens the regular season Sunday, Sept. 23 at Mississauga.
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