Fimis is IceDogs’ centre of attention
Ty Nelson, an alternate captain with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, and Pano Fimis, the triple-A minor midget team’s captain, could be seeing a lot more of each other over the next four to five seasons.
At least six times a year, in fact, not including the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.
After the North Bay Battalion, a Central Division rival, made Nelson the top pick in the OHL Priority Selection on Saturday, Fimis went to the Niagara IceDogs as the second-overall pick.
Fimis, who averaged nearly two points a game in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) last season, was surprised two players from the same team went 1-2 in the draft.
“We had a great squad obviously. We finished pretty high in the rankings,” the GTHL player of the year said. “But, yeah, it’s something that usually doesn’t happen.
“It’s pretty neat for me and my teammate to go 1-2.”
Fimis, a five-foot-nine leftshooting centre, said he really didn’t have an idea heading into the draft when he would be picked and where he would wind up going.
“No, not really. There was a lot of talk, but I don’t usually listen to that stuff. I just try to block it all out,” the 15-year-old said in a phone call from Toronto where he remains in self-isolation with his family.
Going anywhere in the OHL would have been a “great honour” for the son of Chris and Joanne Fimis.
“I had a conversation with Niagara a little while ago, and I thought it went really well,” he said. “They thought I would go pretty high, so that’s really all of an idea I had. It’s definitely special where I went.”
Fimis, whose styles of play resembles that of Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks, scored 41 goals and collected 63 assists for 104 points in 59 games for the Jr. Canadiens last season. They would have entered the OHL Cup as the top seed, but the scouting showcase was among sporting events affected by crowd restrictions to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“Pano was legitimately No. 1 on our draft board from Day 1 to the end of the season,” general manager Joey Burke said. “He is the guy we targeted all year long. This is a franchise-changing player, who brings the ability to be our first-line centre for years to come.
“This is a guy who dictates the pace and controls the game. He is excellent in the face-off circle and possesses a lethal release.”
Fimis, the highest selection in Niagara IceDogs franchise history, isn’t worried that he will be undersized competing in a league in which the players are “bigger, faster, stronger.”
“No, the game has changed to speed now, so everything is about speed, speed, speed,” he said. “I’ve got the skating — I need to keep working on it — and if I get faster and stronger, I can definitely compete.”
Between now and training camp, which is tentatively set to open in late August, Fimis intends to work on “all aspects” of his game
“I would like to get stronger over the summer.”
Fimis also wants to improve his play away from the puck.
“Playing D zone, stuff like that,” he added.
The IceDogs, whose highest choice coming into this year’s draft was when they picked Phil Tomasino fifth overall in 2017, weren’t looking to fill a particular void as they were in taking the best player available.
Burke is confident the team accomplished that by selecting Fimis.
“He combines unbelievable vision and execution with elite and hands, and a relentless work ethic and strong leadership qualities,” the general manager said. “I could not be more excited about what a great fit Pano will be for our organization.”
Defenceman Alec Leonard, from the Mississauga Reps, and left wing Brice Cooke, Toronto Jr. Canadiens, were selected by Niagara in the second round of a draft that was conducted entirely online.
Leonard entered the draft hoping to hear his name called by the IceDogs
“For the past few weeks I’ve just been praying to go to Niagara,” he said. “I visited a little while ago and, ever since I visited, saw the arena and a game, I just wanted to go there.”
The five-foot-10 right-hand shot emulates Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty when it comes to playing style.
“Everyone knows (Doughty’s) offensive talent, but I look at the fact that he can also be trusted on defence,” Leonard said from his home in the Leaside neighbourhood of Toronto. “He’s also a physical, gritty player who lays hits and that’s a big part of my game as well.”
That doesn’t necessarily go hand-in-hand with spending a lot of time in the penalty box as far as Leonard is concerned.
“I hardly had any penalty minutes this year,” he said. “I try to pride my game on skill and speed offensively, but I also can some hits and be physical.”
Leonard doesn’t expect the learning curve for the 2020 draft class to be overly steep.
“I think the OHL teams do a good job of integrating their players and starting slow.”
Like Fimis, he isn’t worried about matching up to bigger, more-experienced players at the OHL level.
“The way I kind of play is with my speed, so that wouldn’t be a problem for me,” Leonard said. “I’m usually able to dodge hits and stay away from the bigger players with my speed.
“I think the game is going in the direction of smaller players being effective.”
Cooke, a six-foot-one, 175pound left-hand shot, had 20 goals and 15 assists in 30 games in triple-A minor midget last season. He will be working on his speed and shooting between now and training camp. The 16year-old from Orangeville appreciates the OHL is a big step up from minor midget.
“It will be a big difference, but it will be fun,” said Cooke, who likened his playing style to that of Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel.
The Grade 10 student has been keeping busy during self-isolation by working out by himself — “Just trying to make the most of this situation,” he said — and shooting pucks at a net in his basement.
“I’ve got the skating — I need to keep working on it — and if I get faster and stronger, I can definitely compete.” PANO FIMIS NIAGARA ICEDOGS 2020 NO. 1 DRAFT PICK