He had to wait longer in the draft than his former club and international team-mate, Liam Kirk, but all that matters is that Alex Graham was selected 105th overall by the Niagara IceDogs.
After being passed over in 2020, this was his last chance to be taken in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in what is also his NHL eligible draft year.
The 18-year-old wasn’t afforded much of an opportunity to make an impact this year.
He played for Sheffield Steeldogs in the NIHL streaming series and put up impressive numbers on a stacked roster.
Through eleven games Graham scored nine goals and added eleven assists for twenty points.
He was also a part of the Elite League Streaming Series, again with Sheffield (Steelers).
His role was somewhat diminished, though he did play in sixteen games, and only registered a lone goal.
Graham headed to the Czech Republic in October 2020 for trials with a U20 team before being required to leave two weeks later due to the pandemic.
As per The Star https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/sheffield-steelers-teenager-alex-graham-loses-chance-play-czech-republic-3007519
Graham had this to say about the situation.
“They cancelled the leagues there [Czech Republic]”
“I was with a senior team but when they cancelled the games I came home. I was only there a week or two and didn’t get to play any games, just training sessions.”
Graham will doubtless have the support of UK hockey fans as he follows in the footsteps of Liam Kirk. The man himself wished his friend all the best as did his hometown club, the Sheffield Steelers.
There is no doubting Alex Graham’s offensive skill set and potential which I believe will flourish in the OHL.
It’ll be on the other side of the puck and his defensive game that will be most under scrutiny and has to improve. That’s no different in some ways to his predecessor but Kirk was a better two-way player at the same age.
So what about his offensive game? What should Niagara fans be excited for and looking forward to?
He likes to shoot the puck and can score in several ways.
That’s not to say he isn’t an adept playmaker but scoring is his forte in my opinion.
Graham is listed as playing centre on some sites.
In truth, he’s a LW who might benefit as Kirk did by spending some time playing on his off-wing.
Either by necessity or as a way to develop and round out his game.
For UK fans, the Niagara IceDogs play in the Ontario Hockey League.
The franchise was founded in 1996 and is originally known as the Mississauga IceDogs.
Based in St, Catherines Ontario, the Meridian centre has been their home since 2014 and the team’s primary colours are red, black and white.
The IceDogs have developed many first-round NHL draft picks, the most recent of which is Philip Tomasino who was selected 24th overall by Nashville in 2019.
Despite two appearances in the final, Niagara has yet to win an OHL Championship but are regular playoff contenders.
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