IceDogs select centre with second overall pick (updated with quotes)

The Niagara IceDogs got their man.

The IceDogs selected centre Pano Fimis from the Toronto Junior Canadiens with the second overall pick in the 2020 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Saturday.

The North Bay Battalion used the No. 1 selection to pick defenceman Ty Nelson, leaving Fimis available.

“This is the guy we’ve wanted from Day 1,” IceDogs general manager Joey Burke said. “I could not be more excited about what a great fit Pano will be for our organization.”

In 32 games with the Junior Canadians this season, the Richmond Hill native collected 14 goals and 42 points to go along with a 65.24 per cent face-off percentage. He helped the Jr. Canadiens win the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s playoffs. 

Fimis, who is listed at 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds, was thrilled to be selected by Niagara.

“I had interviewed with Niagara not too long ago and they were definitely an option for me,” he said. “I didn’t know 100 per cent. It was definitely a possibility and I had good feelings after how well the interview went with them.”

Fimis said it hit home when he saw his name appear on the computer.

“It’s just a great feeling and something you work hard for,” he said. “To see your name pop up on the screen is something special and to be drafted by Niagara is something I’ll never forget.

“It’s just the beginning of my journey so I can’t wait to get started with them.”

Fimis hasn’t been to Niagara, but has heard good things about the organization.

“I’m with the same agency as Akil Thomas so there’s a bit of a connection there. I know some guys down there who have had some success, so I can’t wait.”

The selection is the highest in IceDogs history.

“I could not be more excited to be bringing Pano to Niagara,” Burke said. “This is a franchise-changing player, who brings the ability to be our first-line centre for years to come. He is as complete a player as it gets, and does everything at an absolutely elite level. This is a guy who dictates the pace and controls the game. He is excellent in the face-off circle and possesses a lethal release.”

Fimis said he concentrates on both ends of the rink.

“I’m a two-way centreman, I play a 200-foot game,” he said. “I like to work hard. I bring that compete level and my playmaking abilities are high, I like setting up guys, and I like to put the puck in the net.”

In the 2018-19 season, his first with the Jr. Canadiens program, Fimis was named an alternate captain. In the 2019-20 season, he wore the captain’s C.

Fimis was selected for the GTHL’s 2020 Top Prospects Game. He represented Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he captured bronze. He was also named the 2020 GTHL Player of the Year. Previous winners of this award include Shane Wright, Jamie Drysdale and Connor McDavid.

With their first pick of the second round (27th overall), the IceDogs chose 5-foot-10, 175-pound defenceman Alex Leonard from the Mississauga Reps. 

The right-hand shooting Leonard collected five goals and 15 points in 31 games.

According to the OHL draft preview guide, Leonard is an elite level skater who uses his speed to his advantage on every shift. He is explosive off the mark and has great edge control and excellent mobility. He always has his head up, looking to move the puck up ice. He likes the stretch pass but can also make the simple play as well. He is always looking to follow up his pass, get up ice and be that second wave of offence that is hard to defend against. He is very active all over the ice and is a constant threat when he is on. He is an elite offensive-minded defenceman with big upside. 

Leonard said Niagara was his first choice.

“Definitely it was my first pick of teams to go to. It’s an amazing place to play, amazing fans and a great organization,” he said. “I went down to meet the guys and see a game. It was a great atmosphere.

“I would have loved to be down there today. Too bad we can’t but I’m just super happy.”

Leonard feels he is ready to make the jump to the OHL.

“I’ve been to a few OHL games this year and seen the level of play. I feel I can jump in and make an impact right away and not have too much trouble with it.”

Burke loves Leonard’s skill set.

“Extremely complete, elite offensive side to his game, moves very well, sees the ice very well and moves the puck at an elite level,” Burke said. “Plays physically, defends well, very complete defender who does everything at a high level.”

The IceDogs went with forward Brice Cooke with their second pick of the second round (33rd overall). Cooke is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound Orangeville native who netted 20 goals and 35 points in 30 games with the Toronto Junior Canadiens. Prospectpipeline.ca had Cooke rated No. 41 overall.

Cooke was excited to be selected by the IceDogs, where he will be reunited with Fimis.

“Pano was my centre. He got most of the assists and I got most of the goals,” he said. “It’s awesome. He’s a great kid and we’re just going to continue the chemistry at the next level.”

Cooke couldn’t hide his excitement after seeing his name drafted.

“I was going crazy; it was awesome. I’m fortunate things worked out.”

Cooke describes himself as a big, power forward and a physical player who can put the puck in the net.

Burke feels Cooke has a big offensive upside.

“He’s an elite goal scorer who elevated his game all year and was a star in the playoffs. He’s smart with a good stick, hands and a great release.”

Centre Dylan Roobroeck, a 6-foot-3, 157-pound London native, was Niagara’s third-round pick (85th overall).

Roobroeck played for the London Jr. Knights where he accumulated 32 points in 33 games. He was rated 82nd by Prospectpipeline.ca.

The IceDogs did not have a pick in the fourth round. In the fifth round, they selected Ryan Strothers from the Oakville Rangers. The 5-foot-11, 161-pound centre collected 13 goals and 30 points in 29 regular season games, then added 14 points in 14 playoff games.

In the sixth round, they selected 5-foot-9, 149-pound forward Zaccharya Wisdom from the Mississauga Senators. Wisdom had 16 goals in the regular season and 10 points in 10 playoff games.

The IceDogs selected 5-foot-8, 161-pound winger Kailin Chen from the Toronto Marlboros in the seventh round. Chen had six goals and 13 points in 30 games.

In the eighth round, Niagara took winger Ryan Conmy. The 5-foot-9, 171 native of Virginia had 27 goals and 48 points for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 15’s.

Stevie Li, a 5-foot-6, 185 pounds winger from Aurora was the IceDogs ninth round pick. Li collected five goals and seven points for Aurora of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The IceDogs did not have a pick in the 10th round. In the 11th round they selected Ilia Chmelevski, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound centre from the Detroit Victory Honda 15’s. Chmelevski had 17 goals and 46 points in 65 games.

In the 12th round, defenceman 5-for-9, 154-pound Lucas Littlejohn of the Clarington Toros was selected. Littlejohn collected two goals and 17 assists in 32 games.

The IceDogs did not have a selection in the 13th round. In the 14th round, they picked forward Gregory Spitznagel of the New Jersey Rockets 16U where he collected 23 goals and 39 points in 19 games.

With their 15th and final selection, the IceDogs chose defenceman William Godfrey of the Whitby Wildcats. The 5-foot-11, 152 pound rearguard had four goals and 17 points in 34 games.

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