The IceDogs officially started building their roster
for the 2008-2009 Season Saturday, during the 2008
OHL Priority Draft. The IceDogs added 14 players,
including 8 forwards, 4 defenceman and 2
goaltenders; all players born in 1992. The IceDogs
were able to address a variety of needs with their
early round picks including size, skill and
goaltending depth.
With the 14th overall pick the IceDogs selected
forward and Toronto native Freddie Hamilton from the
GTHLs Toronto Marlboros. Last season Freddie
captained the Marlboros picking up 39 goals and 81
points in 51 games. Already possessing impressive
size, Hamilton is highly regarded for his ability
with the puck and leadership skills. During the past
couple seasons, he has developed into a more
complete player with great awareness to his
defensive responsibilities in all three zones.
With their second selection (34th overall), the
IceDogs selected 6 2 200 lbs defenceman Shayne
Rover from the York Simcoe Express. Shayne brings a
physical presence to the IceDogs blue line and is
described as a powerful defenceman with a big shot
who can win battles in the corners and in front of
the net. In 2007 08 Shayne picked up 24 points in
49 games while picking up 24 penalty minutes.
In the 3rd round the Dogs chose Goaltender Mark
Visentin (55th overall) from the Halton Hurricanes.
The 60 170 lbs Waterdown resident is an intense
competitor who posted a 2.22 goals against average
and 3 shutouts in 44 games played last season.
The IceDogs did not have a 4th round selection but
chose Jesse Beamish in the 5th round (95th overall)
of the Vaughn Kings organization. The 6 1 right
winger tallied 18 goals and 49 points in 55 games
last season, while adding 44 penalty minutes.
In the 6th round (115th overall) the IceDogs
selected 6 4 defenceman Nik Knezik from the
Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs. Nik was one of ten players
taken from the 2007 08 Chiefs, who won the
Alliance Championships. In 65 games last season the
London native and left handed shot defenceman
contributed 27 points.
In the 8th and 9th Rounds the IceDogs tapped into
some local talent taking forwards Joel Forestell
(155th overall) from the St. Catharines Falcons and
Cameron Stewart (175th overall) from the Niagara
Falls Thunder. Forestell is the first IceDogs
prospect to be drafted from the Falcons, and the 6
1 centre brings game breaking potential and superb
offensive instincts.
The 6 0" Stewart had 44 points in 47 games last
season to go along with 112 penalty minutes for the
Thunder. This tenacious forechecker is extremely
tough on opposing defenders and is best described as
a gritty and hard working forward. Cameron joins
last years picks Alex Friensen (35 overall) and
Johnson Andrews (86 overall) as the third player
drafted from the Niagara Falls Thunder Midget
program.
With the IceDogs eighth pick Saturday afternoon,
they selected Paul Thompson in the 10th round (195th
overall) form the Brantford 99ers. The 5 11 180
lbs Thompson is a gritty right winger who had 28
goals and 134 penalty minutes in 58 games last
season.
In the 11th round (202 overall) the IceDogs selected
5' 11" Brandon McIntosh from Greater Kingston.
Brandon is a right shot defenceman who netted 11
goals and 46 points in 55 games last season, and
finished as a plus 45.
Goaltending prospect Max Bouffard (215 overall) from
the Nickel City Flyers was the IceDogs second pick
of the 11th round. Bouffard is a big goaltender at
6 4 230 lbs and uses his big frame and quickness
to stop the puck.
The IceDogs selected James Pursell (235 overall) in
the 12th round from the Chattam-Kent Cyclones. The
6 0" Pursell is a Komoka native who picked up 14
points in 37 games last season.
Blake Ertel (255 overall) was the IceDogs 13th round
pick, and second player taken form the Vaughn Kings.
The 6 2 165 lbs. power forward and Toronto native
is a left winger who recorded 20 points and 42
penalty minutes last season.
With their pick in the 14th round the IceDogs
selected 5 7 defenceman Keith Maisonville (275
overall) from the Sun Country Panthers. This swift
skating and highly skilled defenceman recorded 9
goals and 31 points last season.
Finally with their final pick of the 2008 OHL
Priority Draft the IceDogs selected 5 11 170 lbs
forward Matthew Baldassarra (295 overall) in the
15th round from the Mississauga Reps.
