IceDogs Officially Sign 3 Imports, 1 American Free Agent
OHL Niagara IceDogs

IceDogs Officially Sign 3 Imports, 1 American Free Agent

Published on July 24, 2025 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release


NIAGARA, ON - The Niagara IceDogs are proud to announce the signings of their 3 import selections from the 2025 CHL Import Draft (Ben Reisnecker, Vladislav Yermolenko & Mateu Späth), and American Free Agent Judd Knauft to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreements.

Ben Reisnecker was the IceDogs first selection in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, where they took him with the 26th pick. The 6-foot-3 rightshot defensmen spilt last season between the Czechia U17 and Czechia U20 leagues for HC Sparta Praha, playing the majority in the U20 division. He played 34 games in U20, recording three goals and eight points. At the U17 division, he was scoring at a point-per-game with 18 points (2-16-18) in 17 games.

With their second selection of the draft, the IceDogs selected Belarusian goaltender Vladislav Yermolenko with their 87th pick. The 6-foot-1 netminder recorded a 2.32 goals-against-average and a .919 save percentage in 30 games with Team Belarus U18 last season.

With the third round selection, the IceDogs took German born forward Mateu Späth. Späth, the native of Ostfildern, Germany, joins the IceDogs from where he split time between the Kölner Junghaie U20 and the EC Bad Nauheim (DEL2) in the 2024-25 season. Through 12 games with the Kölner Junghaie U20, he registered 19 points (12 goals, 7 assists). The 5.10 and 179lb forward represented Germany at the IIHF U18 World Championship, where he recorded two goals and three assists over five games.

Judd Knauft, an American Free Agent signing for the IceDogs, hails from Fenton Michigan. Knauft recorded 24 goals and 30 assists for 54 points last year with Little Ceasars U16AAA. Knauft joins former teammate Jacob Monks in Niagara.

Welcome to Dog Country Ben, Vladislav, Mateu & Judd!

Check out the Niagara IceDogs Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Ontario Hockey League Stories from July 24, 2025


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central