The Guelph Storm and Niagara IceDogs have completed a trade involving IceDogs captain and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Czata.
The Guelph Storm have acquired forward Ethan Czata and a conditional 15th-round pick in 2027 from the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for forward Carter Lewandowski, defenceman Zack Naish, a second-round pick in 2028 (Kingston), a third-round pick in 2026 (Oshawa), a fifth-round pick in 2026 (Guelph) and a fourth-round pick in 2029 (Guelph).
The 2007-born forward was originally selected in the first round (5th overall) by the IceDogs in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. In three seasons in the OHL, the 6-foot-2, 190 lbs forward has recorded 125 points (53-72–125) in 193 regular season games. Czata served as the IceDogs captain for the 2025-26 season. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning 56th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.
“Ethan is amongst the top two-way forwards in the Ontario Hockey League,” said Storm GM George Burnett. “He is a leader who competes hard each and every night. The pace in which he plays and the details within his game allow him to be successful in all situations. We are excited to welcome Ethan and his family to Guelph.”
Lewandowski, a 6’2”, 185 lbs forward from Maple, Ontario, was selected 36th overall in this 2025 OHL Priority Selection by Guelph. He spent the 2025-2026 season with the Ayr Centennials of the Greater Ontario Hockey League, where he posted 46 points (17-29–46) in 45 games.
Naish is a 6’7”, 207 lbs defenceman from Hampton, ON and was selected in the 6th round, 105th overall by the Guelph Storm in the 2025 OHL priority Selection Draft. The big-bodied defenceman posted one goal, two assists and 68 PIMS in 36 games played with the Brockville Braves of the CCHL.
“We are happy to be bringing in two young players with Lewandowski and Naish. Both players are expected to to step in and be contributing factors as we move forward with what will be a young group of Niagara IceDogs. Welcome to Dog Country, Carter and Zach, alongside their families! We look forward to having them don the IceDogs crest this fall.” commented IceDogs GM Dale DeGrat
The OHL trade window opened on June 2 and remains open until June 11 at 3:00 p.m. ahead of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore, which takes place June 12-13 at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston.
All confirmed trades can be found on our OHL Trade Window Tracker.
The 2026 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore will be held June 12-13 at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston, marking the first in-person OHL Priority Selection since 2000. Round 1 begins on June 12 at 7:00 p.m., with Rounds 2-15 taking place on June 13 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
