IceDogs goalie in CHL spotlight
Stephen Dhillon named goaltender of the week; Kirill Maksimov invited to play for Russia
IceDogs Nation is hardly alone in applauding the achievements of Niagara’s Ontario Hockey League team.
So far this week there have been accolades from across North America — and from across the world.
Stephen Dhillon has been selected as the Canadian Hockey League goaltender of the week, as well as the OHL Player of the Run.
From the other side of the Atlantic came an invite for forward Kirill Maksimov to join Russia’s national junior team for the CIBC Canada-Russia Series taking place next month in Canada.
Dhillon, a 20-year-old Buffalo native in his fifth and final season with the IceDogs, posted a shutout, limited opponents to 0.97 goals per game and posted a .970 save percentage while backstopping Niagara to three straight wins.
He picked up the first shutout of the season and fourth of his OHL career with a 28-save performance on home ice in a 3-0 victory over the Peterborough Petes.
The over-ager was then instrumental in extending the team’s winning streak to four with back-to-back wins on a road swing through Michigan. Dhillon made 36 saves in a 3-2 shootout win over the Saginaw Spirit and stopped 33 shots the following afternoon in a 7-1 victory over the Flint Firebirds.
Niagara’s last line of defence was the first to share credit for the individual honours with his teammates.
“It definitely reflects a team effort,” he said. “We had a great weekend and we look forward to building on that.”
As a term, “individual suc-
cess” is an oxymoron in a team game such as hockey.
“You need everyone on the ice playing their best,” Dhillon said. “Look at this weekend, it went pretty well for me personally, but it’s because my teammates were really helping me out clearing rebounds, blocking shots, doing all the little things.
“I would not have been recognized without all their great play.”
He doesn’t feel any increased pressure on a team that is among the so-called “beasts from the east” and favoured to make a deep playoff run.
“No, I don’t think there is any pressure, no one puts any pressure on you,” he said. “Obviously, you want to have great year yourself in your final year in the OHL.
“It’s do-or-die, you want to sign that contract to be able to continue your hockey career and be able to move forward.”
Teams aren’t permitted to designate goaltenders as captain, but the absence of a C or an A on the front of a jersey doesn’t diminish the leadership role that a goaltender can play.
“I think everyone is a huge leader on the ice,” Dhillon said. “As a goalie, you have the opportunity
‘‘ “Look at this weekend, it went pretty well for me personally, but it’s because my teammates were really helping me out clearing rebounds, blocking shots, doing all the little things.”
STEPHEN DHILLON Niagara IceDogs goaltender
to sort of calm your team down some times.”
Like a pitcher in baseball and a quarterback in football, goaltenders can be the focus of attention, and depending on the play the object of cheers or boos.
“If you make a mistake as the goalie, unfortunately 5,000 people will jump up and down,” he said. “It’s pretty noticeable when you make a mistake, but you’re also there as the last line of defence.
“You have a pretty big influence on the play and how the game does some time.
“As a goalie, you just try and do the best you can and always try and stop that next shot.”
Dhillon, whose role model growing up was Martin Brodeur, the winner of three Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils, is as quick to forget the last soft goal or as he is put the last great save into perspective.
“You can never get too high or too low in this game, you try and stay as level-headed as you can,” he said. “Whenever they score, just regroup and get ready for the next shot, that’s all you can do.
“That one’s behind you, and you can’t change it.”
Dhillon, Niagara’s third-round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, is on pace for his best season to date. He has seven wins in 11 games while compiling a 2.59 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
Maksimov, second in team scoring with 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points in 15 games, is expected to suit up for Team Russia in both their games versus OHL opponents — Thursday, Nov. 8, Sarnia Sting; Monday, Nov. 12, Oshawa Generals.
Niagara welcomes the Mississauga Steelheads to Meridian Centre in St. Catharines 7 p.m. Thursday for the opening game in a home-and-home series. The IceDogs are in Mississauga the following day, also for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
With a 9-4-2-0 record in league play, the IceDogs top the Central Division. Two points back and with a game in hand are the Steelheads, 8-4-2-0.
Bernd.Franke@niagaradailies.com 905-225-1624 | @TribSportsDesk