Brandon Caputo
@BCaputo_AGM
Vivid Eye Photography
When the Niagara IceDogs selected Ryan Roobroeck second overall in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection as the first forward taken off the board, after defenseman Matthew Schaefer went first overall to Erie, they had extremely high hopes for the London, Ontario native. Even with the expectations being sky high coming in, it is clear that Roobroeck, a former London Jr. Knight, has lived up to and shattered those expectations through only one season; looking to climb even higher in 2024-25.
Despite the IceDogs not having success as a team last season, finishing last in the OHL standings for a third straight season; Roobroeck was able to eclipse Niagara franchise record’s for goals a rookie (28), goals for a 16-year-old rookie (22) and points as a rookie (51) all in only 63 games played. Roobroeck played in every regular season game during the 2023-24 season, except for the five games where he was away for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Team Canada, along with fellow IceDogs 2023 first round selection Ethan Czata.
A rookie season which Roobroeck began as a 15-year-old, until he turned 16 on September 25th, was in the running for exceptional status (early entry to the OHL) the year prior, after applying for the status with eventual grantee Michael Misa, who was selected first overall by the Saginaw Spirit. A 16-year-old season that will go down as one of, if not the best, rookie season in IceDogs franchise history leaves everyone wondering; just how much better will the late-September 2007 birth year player be in his second OHL season?
Staying Humble Despite Early Success
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While accomplishing the milestones previously mentioned, when asked to reflect on a record setting rookie season, Roobroeck made it a point to mention his teammates as part of why he was able to do what he did last season.
“Obviously, I’m very proud but nobody to thank but my teammates,” Roobroeck said. “They were there beside me every game, happy every game whenever I needed anything on or off ice I could rely on them and it was truly amazing.”
Roobroeck entered a young IceDogs team looking to find their next core of players to help accelerate their journey back up the standings and were able to do that with four 16-year-old’s in the lineup last season who all contributed and played bigger roles as the season went on.
“It was good, I counted on my teammates and growing into the league with them was huge for me all being in the same boat as 16-year-olds,” Roobroeck said. Ethan Czata (1st round), Artem Frolov (2nd round, traded this offseason), and Ivan Galiyanov (4th round) were all fellow rookies with Roobroeck (1st round) as part of the highly touted class of 2023 draftees for Niagara.
(Roobroeck protecting puck from fellow former IceDogs second overall pick Pano Fimis) Vivid Eye Photography
The first forward selected in the 2023 OHL Draft talked about the adjustment from coming up from minor hockey to the OHL and having to adapt to the style of play it takes to be successful at this level.
“It’s a different league so staying consistent and believing in yourself and your teammates, that was a huge thing for me in adjusting to the OHL style in my rookie year,” Roobroeck said.
Roobroeck, who is not NHL Draft eligible until 2026, given his late September birthdate says that it’s about remaining in the moment for him and making sure he comes in every day with a working mentality and not getting too caught up in the hype of what may come for him a few years from now.
“You have to stay level headed as much as possible,” Roobroeck said. “You can prepare for the future but you can’t write it so the better you can prepare now, the better you’ll be going forward.” Roobroeck has already been touted as a consensus first round pick, with the possibility of the top five to ten conversation in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft by those who cover hockey prospects, if he continues this positive trajectory the next two OHL seasons.
With Great Talent Comes Great Responsibility
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Niagara’s head coach Ben Boudreau took over the bench boss duties for Niagara on November 10th, 2023 after previously being in his first season as the Associate Coach through the first few months. The St. Catharines, Ontario native and previous Kelly Cup winning coach with the Fort Wayne Komets talked about what makes Roobroeck so special, being able to see him arrive at the rink motivated every single day.
“One of the best things about a guy like Ryan is that he is self-motivated and you don’t have to be cracking the whip behind him to get him going,” Boudreau said. “28 goals are an unbelievable feat for a 16-year-old player. He’s come back to want more and it looks like he’s got a step faster, looks like his shot is even quicker and harder; he wants it more as a confident player and he’s a very dangerous one.”
“I know he set the bar pretty high last year but he’s motivated to do great things for himself but ultimately do it within our team structure,” Boudreau said. “Anytime you get somebody like that with that much talent and drive, the motivation factor comes pretty easy within.”
Niagara’s bench boss talked about what he’s expecting of Roobroeck to take the next step with in his game as he enters his second season in Niagara, a team trying to build back into a competitive program.
“One of the big things with Ryan is understanding his size and using his ability,” Boudreau said. He has a huge frame and even as a coach I don’t want to go into the corner with him at practice. The quicker he understands that he can use his size and ability to his advantage and to protect himself in creating scoring chances, the more success he’s going to have.
“I really think that he can utilize all of that to win puck battles and when he wants that puck he will do everything in his power to get it. The more he matures physically the more dangerous he’s going to get on the puck.”
Positive and Forward Life Outlook
While being a such a dynamic and game-breaking player on the ice, Boudreau made it a point to talk about the great young man Roobroeck is off the ice and how he loves to talk about conversations that aren’t just about the sport of hockey, which he just so happens to be a gifted talent in.
“Ryan is just a great human being, everyone looks at him as this great hockey player but the kid always has a smile on his face and loves to talk fishing,” Boudreau said. “There isn’t a single time that he won’t share a story with you as a family-oriented guy with great values growing up. He’s someone you just want to be around and a great person first, great hockey player second.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with a frown outside of the game if we’re not doing well. Ryan is looking forward to getting on the ice, as a coach you thank your lucky stars that you have a young kid like that and have an opportunity to leave a positive impression on him, on and off the ice.”
Roobroeck ended by saying that he welcomes the challenge of his coaches pushing him to be even better this 2024-25 season and that he is not satisfied with just a great rookie season.
“They want me to come in with the same mentality I had in my first year but obviously I’m not satisfied and want to continue building into the player I know I can be,” Roobroeck said. “The coaching staff has been great with me and always being present to give me tips and tricks that will help in the small details of the game, to really improve in all aspects here in year two.”
“I’d say just working on being more positionally sound, focusing on one position mostly and doing that to the best of my ability, to be present for my teammates with more outlets to create plays,” Roobroeck said as one of the biggest things he plans to really work at as the regular season is set to begin.
Roobroeck finished his preseason with two goals and one assist in four games. How will be build on a record-setting rookie season and what will the jump be for him and in points, as well as the IceDogs as a team in the standings?
Those questions are yet to be answered but we look forward to getting an initial idea as the Niagara IceDogs begin their 2024-25 regular season schedule with a road trip up to Ottawa and Kingston, beginning on Friday, September 27th. Niagara’s home opener is Sunday, October 6th against the Brampton Steelheads.
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