Silent Sam
 

Well now that the trade has been announced, we can stop waiting for Silent Sam to report, reply or even acknowledge the IceDogs exist. If ever there was a candidate to be booed, he takes the cake (even above fan anti-favorite Lessio). It sounds like even his representative wasn't returning IceDog calls, which is beyond unprofessional.

I get it with that caliber of player, he has options - US, NCAA, other OHL, and the IceDogs were a chocolate mess at the end of last season, but staying Silent has to be a new low point.

Boatload of picks

https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/...n-knights.html

a little more from the Standard article:

Certainly was aggressive. Hope it bites them in the ass this time.

I keep hoping every year...

I mean.....the IceDogs got Aiden Castle under the same circumstances. It works both ways.

The whole deal with Castle was MUCH more elegant. There seemed to be good communication between the player and both teams. The suspicious part of me believes this was a payback for the Tomassino / Thomas trade. You can't actually trade a first round pick but you can act surprised when a first round pick defects.

I don't think Silent Sam's situation was similar.

I mean......they knew when they drafted him he wasn't coming. It was communicated very well beforehand despite what the press releases say.

Unlike Silent Sam who said nothing, did as he pleased, and went about his day as if Niagara didn't exist. By saying Silent Sam, I am not dumping on a 16 year old completely, but more like the adults around him like his agent for instance. It would have taken a second to draft a release saying:

"Sam is honored to be drafted so high in the OHL Priority Selection and thanks the Niagara IceDogs for their confidence in his abilities. At this time, he is considering all of the options available to him and will make the best possible choice in conjunction with his family".

What I am saying is Sam Dickenson and his representatives made it very clear to Niagara that he wasn't coming before they drafted him.

He was silent to the fans, sure.....but the organization knew when he was drafted he wasnt coming to Niagara.

if it’s true that we knew he wouldn’t report then good on ice dogs management at the time. We now have 2 first rounders for next year and have restored the draft cupboard. Had we passed on him London, no doubt, would have grabbed him in the later rounds and “convinced” him to play in the OHL without losing the picks!…I can’t stand the London antics and although I hate to dump on a 16yr old, I kind of hope he stinks the building out (probably won’t-too talented).

I will be booing London anyhow, what's one more reason?

Extra booing for London on Thursday Oct 27. I can do that.

Extra for me too, I won't be there!

I wouldn't bet on it... They seem to be immune to the cycles of the OHL.

In truth, I'd rather our system looked more like London's...

London always finishes near the top of the standings. Which means the pick will be late 2nd and 3rd rounders. The picks should be used to acquire talent via trade in a "go for it year". Whenever the hell that is.

I doubt they will finish that high this season by all,accounts.

And we don't have Londons 2023 2nd round pick. Funny how that worked out eh?

Did they trade it away already?

They never had it....

Niagara Acquires:

2nd Round Pick in 2024 (London)
2nd Round Pick in 2025 (London)
2nd Round Pick in 2026 (London)
3rd Round Pick in 2023 (North Bay)
3rd Round Pick in 2025 (London)
3rd Round Pick in 2026 (London)
5th Round Pick in 2023 (London)

I meant did London previously trade that pick away? Therefore it was not available for this trade.