DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: Niagara Ice Dogs

  • Weekly 2027 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    The 2027 season is underway for prospects in Europe and across North American junior hockey. The American college season is starting up soon. That means NHL teams and fans can start to get a read on prospects to keep an eye on as the season progresses. This weekly column will highlight three of the top performers eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft. The first edition of the 2027 Three Stars features two projected top ten picks getting a hot start to their draft years and a first overall pick in the OHL establishing himself on a new team.

    Here are the first draft eligible three stars for the 2027 season:

    Dima Zhilkin | RW | Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

    After posting 75 points (36 goals, 39 assists) in 59 games in his pre-draft season, slick winger Dima Zhilkin established himself as an early player to watch for the 2027 class. The Toronto, ON native hasn’t wasted any time getting to work, two weekends into the OHL season. Zhilkin has eight points (four goals, four assists) in four games to start the campaign.

    The 2027-28 University of Michigan picked up three points (one goal, two assists) in a pair of games to continue his dominant start on the score sheet. In game one, Zhilkin parked himself near the front of the Niagara Ice Dogs and stripped the puck away from a defender. He proceeded to flip the puck over the outstretched goalkeeper for his fourth goal of the season.

    After showing off his slick stick work in the first game, it was his vision and play-making that stood out against the Windsor Spitfires. With the game tied at one early in the second period, Zhilkin fed the puck down low and picked up a secondary assist after the rebound was shovelled in.

    The projected 10th overall pick on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2027 Draft preview added another helper later in the game. Subsequently, after a pass in the face-off circle, Zhilkin waited for a lane and fed the puck to the front for a tap-in.

    Carter Meyer | C | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

    American centre Carter Meyer could’ve stayed with the United States National Development Program for his draft season, but the 2009-born pivot opted to take his talents to Quebec. The 17-year-old joined his older brother Freddy, a member of the 2025-26 Remparts, in the Quebec capital. The early returns suggest it was a smart move. The Winchester, MA, native has seven points (one goal, six assists) in four games.

    Meyer opened his weekend with a big outing against Shawinigan. Breaking in on an odd-man rush with St. Louis Blues prospect Maddox Dagenais, Meyer slipped it over to the 2026 first-round pick for a tap-in goal.

    The former Three Rivers School prep star helped facilitate great puck movement on the power play to pick up a secondary assist as the Remparts took a 3-0 lead. Just four minutes later, Meyer completed the assist hat trick. He fed Dagenais for a one-timer that bounced out for teammate Nathan Quinn. The 2025 Philadelphia Flyers sixth-round pick sent it back to Dagenais, who wired it to the top shelf.

    Meyer was held off the score sheet in Quebec’s 5-4 overtime win but still found ways to contribute. The projected seventh overall pick on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2027 Draft Preview finished second in ice-time among forwards for the Remparts in the contest. He won seven of nine face-offs, had three hits, and had a pair of takeaways.

    Kaden McGregor | C | Brantford Bulldogs

    Kaden McGregor had a solid first year in the Ontario Hockey League after being the first overall pick by the Peterborough Petes in 2025. The Braeside, ON native had 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 39 games in his rookie campaign. An off-season trade sent Cooper Dennis to the Lift-lock City in exchange for the former Ottawa Valley Titans star.

    McGregor has quickly acclimated himself with the rebuilt Bulldogs. The January 2009-born centre has six points (three goals, three assists) in five games for the undefeated squad.

    Opening the week against his former team, McGregor helped seal the deal with a marker in the third period. With teammate Adam Nemec in on the fore-check, McGregor settled into some open ice in the slot. The loose puck squirted right to him, and he wired a quick snap shot past the unsuspecting Peterborough goalie.

    Despite an offensive domination by the Bulldogs of the Kingston Frontenacs by a score of 10-4, McGregor was held pointless. He still managed to fire three shots on goal and had six takeaways.

    The 2025 Ontario high school silver medallist had his biggest showing of the weekend on Sunday with three points (two goals, one assist) in a 5-3 win over the Oshawa Generals. McGregor picked up a secondary assist in the second period for his first point of the evening. Later in the frame, he scored the first of his two markers. On the power play, McGregor took a pass at the point before walking a few steps in. He then wired a wrist shot up and over the goalie’s glove. Shortly afterwards, McGregor doubled up. After finding some open ice in front of the Generals’ goal, he waited patiently for a pass and then quickly redirected the feed over the goalie.

  • Michael Tang vs Slovakia – Aug 7, 2026

    Michael Tang vs Slovakia – Aug 7, 2026

    Tang had about as impressive a performance as a goal scorer can have without actually scoring a goal. On one particularly impressive play, he beat a defender to the inside before driving the net and getting a shot on goal. He then attempted to bat his own rebound out of mid-air with a backhand, cross-body swing, but hit the post.

    On the power play, Tang beat a defender with a toe-drag at the face-off dot before releasing a powerful wrist shot that beat the goaltender high far side, sending the water bottle flying. The goal was ultimately called back for goaltender interference.

    This was by far Tang’s best game of the tournament. While his patience with the puck and ability to beat defenders with his hands allowed him to create offense, I would like to see him move his feet more when he has possession in the offensive zone. Adding more mobility could bring a more dynamic element to his cycle game.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Ryan Roobroeck (LW)

    Ryan Roobroeck #25, F 

    Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

    6’4”, 215 lbs, DOB 2007-09-25

    In an overtime loss, Roobroeck was still one of the most consistent offensive threats of the game. He was dangerous whenever he has possession in the offensive zone, opening the scoring with 2 goals.  Beyond the goals, he generated several quality chances through his ability to protect the puck along the boards and extend possessions against the London defenders. He was effective on zone entries, using his size and reach to drive wide before cutting toward dangerous ice. His playmaking also stood out as he frequently drew defenders toward him and created passing lanes for teammates, consistently found ways to create offense and remained engaged for all three periods. Defensively, Roobroeck showed a mature commitment away from the puck. He was active on the backcheck, often tracking deep into the defensive zone to support the defensemen and help break up developing plays. His stick positioning was effective in taking away passing options through the neutral zone, and he used his physical strength to win battles along the boards. Several times throughout the game, he transitioned quickly from defense to offense after forcing turnovers or recovering loose pucks. 

    While his offensive skill remains his defining trait, his performance highlighted continued growth in his two-way game. He competed hard in all three zones, maintained a strong work ethic, and demonstrated the awareness and effort level necessary to be trusted in key situations. 

    Skater Category Summarization:

    Skating: 6

    Puck Skill: 6

    Scoring Ability: 7

    Hockey IQ: 7

    Character: 7

    Physicality: 7

    Defensive Play: 6

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Ryan Roobroeck (C)

    Ryan Roobroeck
    Projection: Middle 6 Center
    Strengths: One-touch release, Maturity, Situational Versatility
    Weaknesses: Off-puck play, Consistency, one-dimensional worries

    Analysis:
    Ryan Roobroeck is the best offensively minded center in this draft.
    His instant release when the puck reaches his stick makes him one of
    the best pure goal scorers in this draft. Pairing that with his super
    high hockey IQ provides him with the ability to read the play and take
    advantage of open ice to be in a position to utilize that lethal shot.
    He is also one of the more mature and disciplined players in this
    draft. He uses his body and stick properly when defending and has a
    long stride that helps him stick to attackers, so he rarely resorts to
    taking any “dumb” penalties. With this maturity, too, his coaches can
    rely on him in all situations. With his offensive mind, he is a given
    for their power play, but he can also be plugged into the penalty kill
    due to his reliability and great understanding of the game.

    What I find Roobroeck to lack is in terms of his consistent drive to
    be the best on the ice. He can cause analyzing the play instead of
    engaging in it, which can leave him in an awkward spot to catch up to
    the play or miss being a part of it entirely. I would classify this as
    a consistency issue, where he just isn’t on his “A game” every shift.
    He shows with his offensive talents and maturity how good he is when
    he is on his game, but not being on it every shift really brings him
    down my list. Because of this consistency issue, I would be worried
    about how he would translate his game to the pro level. If he doesn’t
    become more consistent as a whole, he might fall to becoming a
    one-dimensional scorer at the pro level, which obviously isn’t the
    worst thing in the world, but not something you’re looking for in a
    top-tier talent.