IceDogs notebook: Three added in U18 draft; Roobroeck commits; Flores ranked
The Niagara IceDogs added three players to their prospect pool following the 2023 U18 OHL Priority Selection Draft.
The IceDogs chose defenceman Andrew Artenosi with the first pick (second overall) of the first round.
Artenosi is a left-handed defenceman who played last season with the Richmond Hill Coyotes in the Eastern AAA Hockey League where he recorded 14 assists. Artenosi is listed at 5-foot-8, 155 pounds.
Niagara North Stars goaltender Hayden Jeremy was selected with the 21st overall pick.
Jeffery is a Grimsby native who suited up for the Niagara North Stars where he appeared in 17 games and posted a 2.14 goals-against average. Jeffery was also on the Niagara Falls Canucks roster in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League but did not appear in any games. He was the lone local player selected in the draft.
The IceDogs wrapped up their selections by taking defenceman Roman Buduev in the third round (41st overall).
The 17-year-old played for the North York Rangers this past season and is listed at 5-foot-10, 163 pounds.
Roobroeck commits
Ryan Roobroeck has committed to play for the IceDogs after being selected in the first round (second overall) of the Ontario Priority Selection Saturday.
“We are very excited to have Ryan,” IceDogs owner and general manager Darren DeDobbelaer said. “He is a prolific scorer and a threat every time he is on the ice. As a late birth year, we will have Ryan on our team for three years and he will make an immediate impact in the OHL.”
Roobroeck recorded 78 points in 29 games this past season with the London Jr. Knights. Across regular season, playoff and tournament action he accumulated 107 goals, 76 assists for 183 points in 78 games.
Roobroeck will wear jersey number 25 for the IceDogs.
Flores ranked by NHL Central Scouting
IceDogs goaltender Owen Flores is one of the 56 OHL players who have been included on the NHL Central Scouting’s final draft rankings.
Flores ranks 27th among North American goaltenders and is the IceDogs lone representative on the list. Flores joins six other OHL goalies on the list and amongst the OHL is the fifth highest ranked netminder.
The IceDogs acquired Flores from the London Knights in exchange for a second-round pick in 2024 and a fifth-round pick in 2023. Since being acquired from the Knights, Flores has played 42 games for the IceDogs, carrying a majority of the load during the 2022-2023 season.
Flores as he participated at the Detroit Red Wings development camp last year as an invitee after going undrafted.
The NHL Entry Draft is June 28-29 in Nashville.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 5,000 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
