Ivan Lodnia

February 2021 – Lodnia went overseas to the KHL, where he has tallied seven points in 27 games. He could potentially return to North America to play for the Iowa Wild of the AHL once the KHL season concludes. Sam Happi

March 2020 – Lodnia showed some growth as an OHL overager, adding 17 points to his 2018-2019 total in the same amount of games. The Wild signed Lodnia to an ELC back in 2017 and he should join Iowa in the AHL for 2020-2021. He has not progressed as much as expected since being drafted, but he could put any concerns to rest with a solid AHL rookie campaign. Sam Happi

September 2019 – Lodnia has been assigned to the Iowa Wild after four OHL seasons. The forward seemed to reach a plateau of sorts over his final two seasons, but a strong AHL showing could put concerns about Lodnia’s NHL potential to rest. Sam Happi

March 2019 – Ivan Lodnia’s move from Erie to the Niagara Ice Dogs has been fantastic for his development. Although he dealt with an injury for a decent chunk of the season, he finished the year with 45 points in 41 games. During the back half of this season the winger was put on a shutdown line and his 200 foot game was able to shine. He displayed a good stick and the ability to clog passing lanes high in the zone as well as opening himself up to a simple outlet pass from his defensemen for easy breakouts. His ability to make a difference in both ends of the ice will be key in Lodina taking the next step, likely with the Iowa Wild next season. While he is far from a finished product, he shows flashes offensively and has playmaking ability. His vision in the offensive zone is his biggest tool. While not a fast skater, Lodina shows good edge work and agility. While he may be a few years away still, the promise of a 200 foot winger is something the Wild are likely to value highly. Tony Ferrari 

October 2018 – The Wild recently sent Lodnia back to Junior after a good camp and preseason. Lodnia has been steadily trending upward after an only minor stats improvement in his D+1 year that can be attributed to Erie’s loss of talent to the NHL. Ivan was traded from Erie to the Niagara Ice Dogs in August so he should take a big step forward and continue being an upper tier scorer in the OHL this year. He’s already registered five points in his first four games with the Ice Dogs. He and Akil Thomas could really make some magic together this year. Lodnia has good skating ability, high motor, and most importantly a volume shooter. There’s going to be a wait attached to him but he’s looking to be worth every bit of it. Tyler Matson

April 2018 – 2017-18 was to be a year for Lodnia to take control of the Erie Otters. In a sense that may have been a bit much to ask of the scoring winger, but he appeared to take things in stride. Lodnia was easily a Top-30 player in the OHL, involving himself a ton in Erie’s offense, and getting dangerous shots that likely will translate to the pro game. Lodnia earned a few games with Iowa, where he has failed to score, but he has barely been seeing the ice. In his limited time, his line has scored three goals while allowing one, which is a somewhat promising start. Lodnia is almost certainly going to be back in the OHL next year where he will hopefully push himself to an elite level in the league, be it in Erie or a stronger team.

July 2017 – The Wild had to watch 84 names go off the table before they jumped at the chance of taking the small, speedy Californian winger. He was pushed down the depth chart on an absolutely stacked Erie Otters team but in his limited ice time, he managed almost 2.5 primary points per hour of even-strength ice time. For context, No. 1 pick Nico Hischier was a 2.6 in the same metric. Lodnia’s ceiling is massive. He’s been a great player in my viewings with speed, skill, and smarts. He has all the makings of a steal in the third round. I had him scratching the first round, but with his lack of height and quality of the team he was on, falling to the third seemed unlikely, but here we are. If I’m Minnesota, I’m thrilled with this pick. With some big names on the Otters departing for pro ranks, Lodnia should get his chance to have a breakout season and become a premier skilled winger in the OHL. Will Scouch