The Niagara IceDogs are turning the page on a new chapter. After a challenging few years, the organization has made sweeping changes in management and culture, signalling a commitment to becoming a model OHL franchise both on and off the ice.
This summer, the IceDogs welcomed Frank Evola as General Manager, bringing with him nearly two decades of OHL experience. Evola was instrumental in building championship-caliber teams with both Windsor and Oshawa, and he arrives in Niagara with a clear vision.
“Our vision is to develop a really strong culture and identity here for being a stabilized franchise moving forward, a destination where players would like to come,” said Evola. “We want to bring players in that have good character and a high compete level.”
Joining the IceDogs behind the bench is Krys Barch, who takes over as Head Coach. A veteran of nearly 400 NHL games, Barch has combined professional playing experience with years in player development and coaching, most recently with the U16 AAA Huron-Perth Lakers program.
“[Barch] checked off a lot of boxes,” Evola noted. “He had a great playing career, went into player development with the Buffalo Sabres, and then showed his ability to develop players in Huron-Perth. We’re excited to see how he thrives as a coach in our league.”
On the ice, the IceDogs are assembling a roster full of talent and promise. This offseason, the team signed Ryerson Edgar, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Known for his high motor and two-way play, Edgar is expected to make an immediate impact.
Niagara’s forward core is already anchored by former high draft picks with Ryan Roobroeck (2nd overall, 2023) and Braidy Wassilyn (4th overall, 2024). Roobroeck, a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, is coming off a team-leading 87-point season (41-46–87), while Wassilyn showcased his elite vision and creativity as a pass-first winger, leading all IceDog rookies in scoring with 39 points (8-31–39).
“It’s super exciting when you have a couple of high-profile players signing and playing with the organization,” said Evola. “It helps shape the entire dynamics of the hockey team and aligns with the vision of the NHL and college scouts. I think there’s going to be eyes on our hockey club this season, but for the right reasons.”
Off the ice, the IceDogs know there’s still work to do. Evola emphasized the importance of internal standards and accountability.
“Coming in, I wanted to set some standards and expectations with all the players. Just laying groundwork for what I expect from them moving forward on and off the ice,” Evola explained.
He also highlighted how the first couple of months in his new position have been made easier by those in the organization.
“Darren [DeDobbelaer] has been great to me during this transition into this new role. He has been nothing but supportive and helpful. We’re just excited to get this season going.”
Steered by new leadership, a strong foundation of young talent, and a clear direction forward, Niagara is looking to move past its recent struggles and focus on building a team – and a culture – that can win games and thrive within the league for years to come.
