IceDogs sign import
Swiss defenceman Giancarlo Chanton has signed a standard player agreement with the Niagara IceDogs and will be attending training camp later this month. The IceDogs selected Chanton in the first round (47th overall) of the 2019 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
Chanton, a 16-year-old defender, spent the past season with Langnau U17 and U20 programs in Switzerland’s Elite leagues. He also represented the Swiss at the U17 level, where he wore the captain’s C, and the IIHF U18 Hockey championship.
In 17 games with Langnau’s U17 program, he finished with 13 points, and added nine assists in 16games with the U20 program. Described as a smooth-skating, puck-moving defender, he is expected to fit well with the young and fast IceDogs blueline in September.
“This is a very exciting signing for us. Giancarlo is the player we targeted ahead of the import draft, and we were thrilled to be able to select him,” Niagara general manager Joey Burke said. “This is a guy who has captained Switzerland internationally at the U17’s. He has already competed in the U18 level for the Swiss. He comes with a great deal of pedigree, and is an extremely well-rounded young defenceman. Giancarlo will immediately help bolster our young blue line, and will be an exciting player to watch develop in Niagara.”
Chanton recently participated in the Swiss U18 camp in preparation for the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.
The IceDogs are scheduled to open the 2019-20 season at home against the Sudbury Wolves on Thursday, Sept. 19. Three of the IceDogs’ six exhibition games will be played at centres in the region: Friday, Aug. 30, Vale Centre, Port Colborne, versus the Barrie Colts; Saturday, Aug. 31, Leisureplex, Fort Erie, Windsor Spitfires; Friday, Sept. 13, Fleming Memorial Centre, Beamsville, Peterborough Petes.
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