Former Icedog going to Winter Olympics

Five OHL grads make the cut for Beijing Games

One-time Niagara Icedogs forward Josh Ho-sang is among five past and present Ontario Hockey League players selected to represent Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics next month in Beijing, China.

Hamilton Bulldogs forward Mason Mctavish, who was picked third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League draft last summer, is the only active OHL player on the 25-man roster.

Ho-sang, who played two seasons in Niagara after starting his major junior career with the Windsor Spitfires, is the most recent OHL grad on the list.

The 26-year-old’s final OHL season before going on to a pro career highlighted by parts of three seasons in the NHL with the New York Islanders was 2015-16.

Forwards Eric Staal, 37, Peterborough Petes; and Eric O’dell, 31, Sudbury Wolves; graduated from the OHL in 2003 and 2011, respectively. Goaltender Edward Pasquale, 31, wrapped up his OHL career with the Saginaw Spirit in 2010.

Canada won gold medals in men’s hockey at the Olympics with NHL players in 2002, 2010 and 2014, but won’t be participating for the second Olympic cycle in a row.

Canada’s last Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey without Nhlers was at the 1952 Winter Games in Oslo, Norway.

Except for his rookie season with the Spitfires in 2012-13, Ho-sang averaged more than a point per game over his OHL career.

The six-foot, 187-pound, righthand shot from Thornhill, Ont., went in the first round, 28th overall; to the Islanders in the 2014 NHL draft.

Since turning pro, Ho-sang has seen action in the American Hockey League with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, San Antonio Rampage and, currently, Toronto Marlies in addition in 53 games with the Islanders. He spent the 2020-21 season playing in the Swedish Hockey League.

The Toronto Marlies are the top affiliate in the Toronto Maple Leafs farm system.

Following is the Olympic men’s hockey roster unveiled Tuesday by Hockey Canada:

Goaltenders Devon Levi, Dollarddes-ormeaux, Que.; Edward Pasquale, Toronto; Matt Tomkins, Sherwood Park, Alta.

Defence Mark Barberio, Montreal; Jason Demers, Dorval, Que., Brandon Gormley, Murray River, P.E.I.; Alex Grant, Antigonish, N.S., Maxim Noreau, Montreal; Owen Power, Mississauga; Mat Robinson,

Calgary; Tyler Wotherspoon, Burnaby, B.C.

Forwards Daniel Carr, Leduc, Alta.; Adam Cracknell, Prince Albert, Sask.; David Desharnais, Laurierstation, Que.; Landon Ferraro, Vancouver; Josh Ho-sang, Thornhill, Ont.; Corban Knight, Oliver, B.C.; Jack Mcbain, Toronto; Mason Mctavish, Carp, Ont.; Eric O'dell, Ottawa; Eric Staal, Thunder Bay; Ben Street, Coquitlam, B.C.; Adam Tambellini, Edmonton; Jordan Weal, North Vancouver, B.C.; Daniel Winnik, Toronto.

Coaches Claude Julien, Orleans, Ont., head coach; Nolan Baumgartner, Calgary; Jeremy Colliton, Blackie, Alta.; Tyler Dietrich, West Vancouver, B.C., assistants.

Barbeiro, Cracknell, Demers, Desharnais, O’dell, Street, Winnik and Wotherspoon have all seen action in the NHL as have Ho-sang and Staal.

Canada is scheduled to open tournament play Feb. 10, against Germany before taking on the United States two days later. Round-robin action in Group A wraps up Feb. 13, with Canada playing host China.

Olympic Athletes from Russia, gold; Germany, silver; and Canada, bronze; earned medals in men’s hockey at the Pyeongchang Games four years ago in South Korea.