Photo courtesy: Natasa Corfield

LONDON, ON — When Dylan Roobroeck lined up against his younger brother Ryan in the Ontario Hockey League for the first time, he wasn’t staring down a typical 16-year-old.

Dylan, then a 19-year-old forward with the Oshawa Generals, was used to towering over opponents at 6-foot-7. But across the face-off dot stood his 6-foot-4 “little” brother, who had already scored 20 goals in his first 48 games with the Niagara IceDogs.

Dylan won the opening draw, but Ryan earned the bragging rights. In front of a sold-out Meridian Centre, Ryan buried his 21st goal of the season—sparking a three-goal comeback and a 4–3 overtime victory.

And he did it with his older brother trying to stop him.

“I remember peeling behind the net and, just no-look ripping one right past him,” Ryan recalled. “They played a man-on-man system, and he was defending me. I don’t think he really expected me to shoot it.”

A year and a half later, both brothers continue to carve out their own hockey careers—Dylan in the AHL with Hartford and Ryan as one of the OHL’s brightest young stars. Last season, Dylan led the Wolf Pack with 20 goals in his first year of pro hockey. Meanwhile, after breaking IceDogs’ franchise records for goals (28) and points (51) by a rookie in 2023-24, Ryan became just the seventh OHL player this century to reach the 40-goal mark in a DY-1 campaign, joining the likes of Steven Stamkos and John Tavares.

Roobroeck’s 41 goals in 2024-25 are the fourth-most by an OHL player in a DY-1 campaign since 2000.

1
Alex DeBrincat
2014-2015
17
Erie Otters
68
51
104

2
Nail Yakupov
2010-2011
17
Sarnia Sting
65
49
101

3
Steven Stamkos
2006-2007
16
Sarnia Sting
63
42
92

4
Ryan Roobroeck 
2024-2025
17
Niagara IceDogs
64
41
87

5
Kerby Rychel
2011-2012
17
Windsor Spitfires
68
41
74

6
Dustin Brown
2001-2002
17
Guelph Storm
63
41
73

7
John Tavares
2007-2008
17
Oshawa Generals
59
40
118

8
Taylor Hall
2008-2009
17
Windsor Spitfires
63
38
90

9
Joey Hishon
2008-2009
17
Owen Sound Attack
65
37
81

10
Cole Perfetti
2018-2019
16
Saginaw Spirit
63
37
74

#
Player
Season
Age
Team
GP
G
PTS

Through all the milestones and record-breaking performances, Ryan credits much of his and Dylan’s success to the unwavering support of their family.

“My parents, my sister, and my whole family have always supported me and my brother in our journeys and our career paths. I’m very, very grateful to have them.

Hockey runs in the family in more ways than one: while Dylan and Ryan chased playing careers, their sister Morgan carved out her own role in the OHL as the London Knights’ team photographer.

It can be hard to avoid the topic of hockey in the Roobroeck household when all three siblings are home for the summer.

“Sometimes you’ll be sitting there start telling stories, and it just keeps snowballing,” Ryan said, smiling. “But for the most part, when we’re together here, we just live our lives and get our minds off things. You play hockey for eight, nine months of the year, so being yourself for a couple of months is huge.”

Ryan and Dylan Roobroeck pose for a photo before their first OHL matchup in February 2023 (Photo courtesy: Carter Smith)

Ryan Roobroeck’s goal-scoring instincts were evident long before he entered the OHL. The Dorchester, ON native’s blend of scoring touch and physical maturity earned him a spot with the 2006 U16 AAA London Jr. Knights as a 14-year-old.

He delivered one of the most memorable underage seasons the Ontario U16 circuit has seen in recent years, piling up 34 goals and 63 points in 27 games as London claimed the Alliance Championship.

“I’d say I’ve always found a way to put the puck in the back of the net. I think it’s something that was kind of naturally gifted to me,” Ryan said.

In his OHL Draft year, Roobroeck returned to the Jr. Knights U16 AAA team and improved his totals to an astounding 51 goals and 79 points in 30 games. He departed the program as its all time leader in goals (85) and points (142), with his points-per-game total of 2.49 the most productive in league history.

Since being selected second overall by Niagara in the 2023 OHL Draft, the 6-foot-4 forward has blossomed into one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, capable of punishing opponents from anywhere in the offensive zone.

In addition to hitting the 40-goal mark last season, Roobroeck also led the IceDogs in scoring with 87 points in 64 contests. On a team featuring NHL-affiliated prospects Kevin He and Andrei Loshko, the 17-year-old operated as the offensive talisman, often relied upon when the group was in need of a spark.

“You’d be crazy not to be impressed by what Roobroeck accomplished in Niagara last year,” said McKeen’s Hockey Director of Scouting, Brock Otten. “He’s a natural goal scorer who unquestionably possesses one of the better shots in this Ontario age group. He can be a threat from any range, but I like that he is a multi-faceted goal scorer. “

As a late-2007 birthday, Roobroeck enters his NHL Draft year as one of the most established names eligible. With two OHL season already behind him, he has the luxury of adding layers onto his game rather than working on foundational elements.

For the Dorchester, ON native, improving mobility and leveraging his physicality will be the main focus.

“If you can’t skate or don’t have speed, it’s hard to play at the next level,” Roobroeck said. “Being one of the bigger guys out there, especially this year and a bit last year, I think using my size to my advantage will help me.”

“Adding a little more physical intensity to his game on a consistent basis would really elevate his upside and projection,” Otten added.

“This is someone who can be a fixture on your first powerplay unit because of his scoring ability. He can play the flank or the net-front and is a versatile offensive player—the kind of guy who scores 30 goals consistently at the NHL level.”

With Roobroeck’s unique package of physical prowess and a refined edge to his finishing, it’s difficult to pin down a direct comparison.

“I think maybe a guy similar to Jamie Benn,” said the 17-year-old. “A big, powerful, strong forward—good offensively too.”

Ryan Roobroeck in action with the IceDogs in 2024-25 (Photo courtesy: Brandon Taylor/OHL Images)

Entering the 2025-26 season, expectations have never been higher for this IceDogs group. The team’s core, built around the 2023 draft class in which they picked Roobroeck, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Czata, and Ivan Galiyanov, are all coming into their own.

Pressure makes diamonds, though.

“We’ve played here for two full seasons. Obviously, the expectations are going to be higher. I think it just holds you to a higher standard and makes you a better person and a better hockey player,” said the 17-year-old.

Despite the added weight of his NHL Draft year, his focus remains on giving back to IceDogs fans and the St. Catharines community.

“The city itself and the fans have always been great. They’ve always been supportive of me. Being a young team, we’ve all grown up together in the OHL—that’s huge,” he said. “Myself, Czata, Galianov, all the other guys, even [2024 Winnipeg Jets’ pick] Kevin He—we all started pretty young together.”

“You build a bond that will lead to a championship one day, hopefully.”