Dhillon’s time has come
IceDogs tab Stephen Dhillon as their starting goaltender
Minutes after the Niagara IceDogs were eliminated in the Ontario Hockey League final by the London Knights last spring, veteran Josh Ho-Sang went over to Stephen Dhillon and whispered a few words of encouragement into his ear.
“This is your team now,” Ho- Sang said.
After two seasons as a backup — the first of which he played in just four games — Dhillon’s time as a starter has finally arrived.
“I am 1,000 per cent confident in Stephen Dhillon,” IceDogs coach Dave Bell said Tuesday morning as training camp officially opened at Meridian Centre. “He’s worked harder the last two years than anyone I’ve ever coached. “He’s the clear-cut No. 1.” Dhillon, who turns 18 next month, appreciates the opportunity, but isn’t about to take anything for granted.
“Nothing is ever guaranteed,” he said. “I was told last year I could have potentially been cut. I was lucky I did so well in the exhibition games. You have to perform or the next minute you could be back on the bench or in the stands. You have to keep working because there is always someone behind you ready to take your spot.
“There is a lot of incentive to do well. It’s a pretty wide open job for the main guy and if things go well, they will probably go with the guy who is playing well.”
Dhillon performed last year in a back-up role to Alex Nedeljkovic, who has since turned pro with the Carolina Hurricanes. In 24 games Dhillon compiled a 2.60 goalsagainst average and .908 save percentage.
He has a big fan in Niagara goalie coach Ryan Ludzik.
“I like his demeanour, his attitude and his work ethic and that goes a long way,” Ludzik said.
“He’s got a very cool, calm approach to the game. He takes things on really well. He’s a privilege to work with. You tell things to some guys and they don’t really work on it. With him, you can see him apply it. He’s a very intelligent kid and it translates to his game.”
Dhillon was passed over in the National Hockey League draft which mystifies Bell.
“I’m shocked he didn’t get drafted,” Bell said. “He’s a big kid who keeps improving. His line is straight up. I think 30 NHL teams are going to kick themselves they didn’t pick him.”
Dhillon, who is attending Detroit Red Wings camp as a free agent, realizes his dream of turning pro is still a distinct possibility.
“It’s tough for the scouts to predict who will be the best,” he said. “There are a lot of people who have been drafted in the second or third years of eligibility or a guy like (Jordan) Maletta gets signed as a free agent.
“I hope to potentially make it to the next level. It’s unfortunate it didn’t happen, but I was fortunate enough to go to two development camps and a rookie tournament and main camp. It was a learning experience and hopefully this season goes well and maybe something happens in the next draft.”
Bell feels Dhillon will thrive with the additional workload.
“I would never put a number on it but he’s going to play the bulk, two out of three or three out of three. If he’s healthy and rested, he’s going to play a lot,” Bell said. “It’s good for his state of mind. The players like him and will play for him. They want to play for him and they know what he’s going to give every night.”
The IceDogs are also in need of a back up and have six other goaltenders — draft picks Colton Incze (2015) and Zach Borgiel (2016) and free agents Bradley Dobson, Zac Weir, Nicolas Martin and Peter Brooks — in camp.
Incze would seem to have the inside track based on his experience, but Bell said the job is wide open.
“We’re bringing in a couple of free agent kids who are older and are going to push him,” Bell said. “He has three days to be the best of the five other goalies.
“We don’t have a lot of depth in our system with our goaltending. We need to put another goalie in our system to have another guy. If we get an injury, we don’t have another guy to call up. There are a couple of spots to be earned.”
Nothing is ever guaranteed. I was told last year I could have potentially been cut. I was lucky I did so well in the exhibition games. You have to perform or the next minute you could be back on the bench or in the stands. You have to keep working because there is always someone behind you ready to take your spot.” Stephen Dhillon