Imports commit to IceDogs
Two players selected by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2018 import draft have come to terms with the Ontario Hockey League team.
Defenceman Daniel Bukac, 19, and forward Kyen Sopa, 17, both signed standard agreements and will attend training camp later this month.
Sopa, Niagara’s first-round pick, with the 36th selection overall, spent the 2017-18 season playing in his native Switzerland with the Bern U20. The 5-foot-9, 190pound left winger scored 21 goals and collected 35 assists in 41 games in league play and added a goal and an assist representing Switzerland at the World Junior Under-19 Hockey Championships.
“Kyen is the player we had targeted ahead of the import draft, and we know we are getting an impact forward who is a highcharacter individual and will fit in nicely with our group,” IceDogs general manager Joey Burke said.
“He has put up extremely impressive numbers at every level he has played, and we are confident that trend will continue here in Niagara.”
The Czech-born Bukac spent the past two seasons playing in the Western Hockey League with the Brandon Wheat Kings. The unsigned Boston Bruins 2017 draft pick — seventh round, 204th overall prospect — played for the Czech Republic at the world under-18 championships last year as well as at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in 2016.
Niagara is looking forward to
bolstering its blue line with the 6-foot-5, 207-pound right-hand shot.
“He provides help in an area we need to improve in,” Burke said. “A proven player at this level who brings size, defensive prowess as well as strength, adds a special dynamic to our group.
“Any time, you can add an NHL-drafted player, it always make an impact.”
Bukac had eight assists and was a plus-4 on defence in 39 games in his second season in the WHL. He had two goals and 15 assists in 72 games in his rookie year with the Wheat Kings.
The IceDogs will play two “home” exhibition games away from their Meridian Centre home as they prepare for the 2018-19 season. They will host the Barrie Colts at Frank Doherty Arena in Thorold Friday, Aug. 31, and take on the Kitchener Rangers Saturday, Sept. 15, in Beamsville.
Niagara’s other pre-season games are Thursday, Sept. 13, at Barrie and Friday, Sept. 14, at Kitchener.
Tickets to the Thorold game are $10 each and all proceeds will benefit Thorold Minor Hockey.
The IceDogs’ 12th season in Niagara gets underway Sunday, Sept. 23, with a 2 p.m. matinee on the road against the Mississauga Steelheads. They visit the Peterborough Petes Thursday, Sept.
27, before hosting the Kingston Frontenacs, Friday, Sept. 28, and the North Bay Battalion the following night. Faceoff for both home games is 7 p.m.