The Niagara IceDogs continue to make strides to improve on their 42-point season in 2023-24, with GM Wes Consorti now making six trades since the start of the offseason.
The team recently acquired 2006-born right winger Sean Doherty from the Sarnia Sting in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round draft pick.
Selected 45th overall in the third round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection by Sarnia, Doherty is coming off a 61-game campaign in which he scored six goals and 17 points. Additionally, he took just three minor penalties all season.
View the original article to view the embedded media.
Before signing Sean, Niagara had only one right-handed forward on their roster: Mathieu Paris.
The Scarborough, Ontario native should slot into the IceDog’s middle six forwards, potentially playing alongside a pair of former top draft picks in Ethan Czata and Brady Wassilyn.
On the same day, the IceDogs also acquired defenseman Joey Wassilyn from the Guelph Storm in exchange for a 2025 13th round draft pick.
Joey is the older brother of Niagara’s fourth overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Braidy Wassilyn.
Related: 4th Overall OHL Draft Pick Braidy Wassilyn Signs Scholarship, Development Deal With Niagara IceDogs
Joey was drafted by Guelph in the 15th round, 295th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. The Etobicoke, Ontario native played 49 games with the North York Rangers in the OJHL last season, recording five points and a whopping 111 penalty minutes.
Niagara’s new defenseman was listed for Guelph’s training camp at 6’3″ and 225 pounds. Considering the amount of penalty minutes he picked up last season and his size, it’s safe to assume Joey will add aggressiveness and plenty of physicality if and when he suits up for the IceDogs.
There’s not much room in the back and it will be a challenge to get him on the ice in Niagara during the 2024-25 season.
However, if the Wassilyn brothers get the chance to play the same game together, it will be a moment their family will remember and cherish forever.
Add the Hockey News OHL site to your favorites and never miss any news, interviews and updates about the competition.
