Ceci and Puempel Go Head To Head On Sunday

Two of the Ottawa Senators’ top prospects still playing in junior hockey will meet head to head on Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Place.  Ottawa 67’s defenseman Cody Ceci (15th overall in 2012) will be lining up opposite Matt Puempel (21st overall in 2011) and the Kitchener Rangers.

For Senators fans interesred in keeping tabs on the team’s prospects, this will be the only time this season they will be able to see Puempel this season as the Western Conference Rangers will pay only 1 visit to Ottawa this season.

Puempel is in his first season with the Rangers, after his request to be traded from the Peterborough Petes was honoured in the off-season.  He felt the Petes were in a perpetual rebuild and he wanted to be part of a competitive team before the end of his OHL career.  Kitchener is was ranked #3 in the CHL recently, but have dropped their last three games to fall out of the rankings.  Puempel is currently leading his club in goals (6) and points (8) through 7 games.

June 21, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cody Ceci during the top prospects press conference in preparation for the 2012 NHL Draft on board the Gateway Clipper Fleet. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Ceci, who was named co-captain of the 67’s, has been counted on to play a ton of important minutes on the Ottawa blue line as his team tries to ease in as many as nine rookies into the lineup on any given night. Ceci has a pair of goals to go along with 7 helpers in 8 games as the 2-6 67’s have struggled out of the gate. The Sens prospect sits tied for 2nd among OHL blueliners in scoring and is second on the team with a +6 rating.

Puck drop at SBP is 2pm.  It would be a great chance to see two future Senators in action.