Roobroeck holding his own
Niagara IceDogs rookie Ryan Roobroeck is tied for the team lead in goals with 10. Photo by: OHL IMAGES.
Ryan Roobroeck has more than lived up to expectations for the Niagara IceDogs this season.
The 16-year-old rookie was the IceDogs first selection (second overall) in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection and is tied with Kevin He for the team lead in goals (10), is on pace to score 33, and hasn’t appeared overwhelmed as he makes the jump from minor midget to the OHL.
“For the most part I’m pretty happy with how I’m playing,” Roobroeck said. “There are some things I can change in my game for myself and the team but we have a good group of guys surrounding me and helping me through it.
“It’s been very good so far.”
IceDogs coach Ben Boudreau is a big fan of Roobroeck.
“The guy is a power forward and at 16 you want to be able to see some steps and make sure he’s on the right path. The way he’s started the season, the way he’s been going, especially of late, he’s been very consistent,” Boudreau said.
Boudreau loves Roobroeck’s combination of power and speed.
“He’s a goal scorer and he’s finding a way to get pucks on the net and finding a way to beat goalies,” he said. “To be able to see that is great but outside of the numbers, I think one of the things in his play that shows consistent is that he’s going to be a strong man to play against. He’s not afraid to battle, to go to the one-on-ones with guys and even at his age now he’s stronger and physically more dominant. The quicker he realizes what he can do with his size and strength, it’s only going to benefit him long term.”
Roobroeck has seen more than his share of ice time, a combination of his strong start coupled with an inordinate amount of injuries on the IceDogs.
“The guy loves hockey and we’ll find every opportunity to play him that we can,” Boudreau said. “I think the last thing for him to get his minutes up will be to play the penalty kill and just recently he’s been seeing some time on the penalty kill. You know he’s going to be on the power play, on the six-on-five.
“To have 10 goals in the column you have to be able to utilize him for whatever he is, whether he’s 16 or 19 or 20. He’s scoring right now and we’re relying on him to score. We’ve put some expectations on him and he’s passing with flying colours.”
Roobroeck, who scored 51 goals at the minor midget level last season, admits it’s big jump from minor to the OHL.
“It’s the speed and adjusting that you’re not going to get the outcome every single game you want to or the outcome you had in minor midget,” he said.
Roobroeck feels it is vital to not get down when things don’t go as planned.
“It’s really important. It’s a team game and you always have your teammates out there trying to help you. Sometimes you make a mistake but you always have a guy beside you or behind you, there to cover,” he said. “A lot of guys worry too much. It’s a new league and you’re adjusting to things. You learn from your mistakes and it’s probably the easiest way to learn and improve your game.”
The IceDogs are mired in a six-game losing streak and have dropped 11 of their last 12 games as they have dealt with a myriad of injuries and illness.
“The other team is not going to feel sorry for you,” Roobroeck said. “At the end of the game it’s a team game and everyone has the same outcome so just do what you can for your team and hope for the best.”
The IceDogs, 4-15-4-1, are at Kitchener Friday, who lead the Midwest Division with a 19-7 record, before returning home to host the Peterborough Petes, 13-5-3-1, Sunday at 2 p.m.
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