New-look IceDogs open camp
New Niagara IceDogs head coach Dan Fitzgerald before the team hit the ice Tuesday at Meridian Centre to open training camp. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
A new era of Niagara IceDogs hockey officially began Tuesday at Meridian Centre.
After 14 seasons under the ownership of the Burke family, new owner/general manager Darren DeDobbelaer and head coach Dan Fitzgerald and his staff finally got to see their hard work come to fruition as the IceDogs opened training camp for the 2022-23 Ontario Hockey League season.
The OHL unanimously approved the transfer of ownership of the IceDogs from the Burkes to a group consisting of majority owner DeDobbelaer alongside minority stakeholder Wayne Gretzky in early July.
“It’s exciting. It feels like the first day of school,” Fitzgerald said, before the IceDogs took to the ice Tuesday afternoon. “Every time you get into a camp you’re excited but in this situation with the months of work that has gone into preparing for this and all the new faces, it’s just that much more exciting.”
Fitzgerald, who worked for DeDobbelaer in Brantford at the Ontario Junior Hockey League level and also had a season as head coach of the St. Catharines Falcons, admitted there were some butterflies as well.
“It’s not until you get into the fire that you really understand what you’ve got yourself into,” said Fitzgerald, a 34-year-old Ancaster resident. “I think it’s human to be anxious or nervous, but at the same time, it shows we care.
“We’re excited for the players, for the team and for the fans. I can’t wait to open the doors and let them get a glimpse and see this new brand of IceDog hockey.”
The 48-man training camp roster was split into two teams as a pair of practices as well as an inter-squad game were held Tuesday.
Doors are scheduled to open Wednesday 8:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. inter-squad game and re-open again at 1:30 pm. for a goalie session followed by a scrimmage from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The team will also practice Thursday and Friday in preparation for their first exhibition game, Sunday, Sept. 4 at Kitchener at 2 p.m. The IceDogs also take on Windsor Monday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. at the Vale Centre in Port Colborne.
Fitzgerald said he left no stone unturned in his preparation for camp, including picking the brains of other coaches in the league.
“So far the league has chosen to be very collaborative,” he said. “A lot of guys were willing to share what they do. They’ve been very welcoming to myself, the staff, the management, which has been great. We’ve been able to lean on some of the things we’ve done in the past and some of the things we’ve heard others are doing.”
Fitzgerald feels the tone set in camp is vital.
“We’ve sat down and looked at the things we want to see established in our culture and make sure those are first and foremost and at the forefront of what we’re doing every day of this camp and then moving forward,” he said. “We want to see three things when we’re evaluating hockey players: work ethic, hockey IQ and most importantly, good character. Are these good people? Do they work hard and when they’re on the ice are they able to digest what we’re giving to them and break down situations? We want to establish those are the pillars we’re really focused on and as a group we’re going to set goals and work towards them.”
Assistant general manager Wes Consorti, a former Port Colborne Sailor who also worked for DeDobbelaer in Brantford, said it was rewarding to see camp open after a hectic summer.
“It’s been a smooth transition I think from when we first started to where we are today. Now, it’s just more of a schedule,” he said. “We have been getting familiar with the community and the support has just been outstanding.”
The IceDogs also have pre-season games slated for Friday, Sept. 9 versus Erie at the Virgil Meridian Credit Union Arena, Saturday, Sept. 10 versus the Otters at home at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Hamilton at 7 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 22 at home versus the Bulldogs at 7 p.m.
The IceDogs open the regular season Thursday, Sept. 29 against the Mississauga Steelheads at the Meridian Centre.
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