IceDogs add two centres on first day of draft
The 2024 OHL draft was held Friday night. From left, Alessandro Di Iorio of the Sarnia Sting, Ethan Belchetz of the Windsor Spitfires and Braidy Wassilyn of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo: OHL IMAGES.
The Niagara IceDogs fortified themselves down the middle with a pair of high end centres on the opening night of the 2024 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
The IceDogs used their first pick (fourth overall) to select Braidy Wassilyn, a 6-foot-1, 195 pound centre from the Markham Majors, who collected 31 goals and 62 points in 32 games last season.
Centre Maximus Crete was taken in the second round (30th) overall. The 5-foot-8, 164 pound centre from Ottawa had 28 goals and 66 points in 29 games for Upper Canada of Hockey Eastern Ontario. He also had three goals and nine points at the OHL Cup.
“It’s great. Anytime you can draft centremen, it’s generally the hardest position to fill sometimes but we’re fortunate enough to fill that,” IceDogs general manager Wes Consorti said.
According to the OHL Media Guide, Wassilyn is one of the most dynamic and offensively gifted players in the draft. He is a threat every time he is on the ice and will constantly challenge defenders with his speed and skill. He is a dangerous one on one player and he has the size, skill and speed that makes him hard to handle all over the ice. He competes hard every shift and is always playing the game at a high pace. He has a cannon for a shot and will put the puck to the net from anywhere in the offensive zone, definitely a shoot-first type player. He will be an elite scorer at the next level.
Consorti said the IceDogs were thrilled to be able to obtain Wassilyn.
“He’s one of the top players in Canada. A high end player who is going to play with our guys that are high end as well. He’s a total gamer. He takes care of himself off the ice. He’s born to play hockey and we’re excited to have him,” he said.
Ontario Hockey League Central Scouting compared Crete, who was the leading scorer in the HEO U16 league this season, to Luke Misa of the Mississauga Steelheads.
“He dictates his game, he’s been great,” Consorti said. “Good speed, good teammate. Born to play hockey and will fit fine in Niagara.”
The IceDogs turned some heads drafting goaltender Matthew Humphries in the third round (44th overall).
Humphries, who was a teammate of Wassilyn with the U16 AAA Markham Majors, was the second goalie taken after the Kingston Frontenacs selected Gavin Betts with the 37th overall pick.
“Matthew is quite possibly the closest to OHL ready goalie in the draft,” IceDogs goalie coach Adam Munro said. “A big goalie who fills the net well and battles hard. He’s got really good reads on situational plays and can handle the puck well. Very excited to begin working with him and see him develop into a top end starter.”
Charlie Robertson is set to return in goal for Niagara while Owen Flores is eligible to come back as an over-ager.
“The goaltending situation will work itself out but he’s coming in to make an impression early. He’s ready to make the jump so we’ll see,” Consorti said.
The IceDogs final pick of the night was Nicholas Frasca, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound defenceman who had six goals and 25 points in 33 games for the Toronto Marlies U16 AAA squad last season.
“Good all around defenceman, plays offence, plays defence,” Consorti said. “Good teammate who comes from a good program. His brothers are good hockey players, good lineage, so just to have someone come in and be part of what we’re doing, it’s always a good day.”
The IceDogs most pressing need is on defence and Consorti feels Frasca can make the jump to the OHL next season.
“Ya, that’s why we picked him. We hope so. Anyone we’re drafting we’re hoping they can make the team right away or find the path to success.”
The IceDogs own 14 picks in rounds 4-15 which will be held Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.
“We’ll reevaluate tonight and go over out lists and see what’s available,” Consorti said. “We’ll come in with a plan and hopefully execute it.”
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