Update on Ottawa Senators’ CHL Prospects – Chasing the Memorial Cup
This is the time of year when you tend to keep one eye on the prospects that the Ottawa Senators have playing in the CHL, and where their teams are as they are finishing up the first round of playoffs. The Sens still have 7 prospects chasing league championships and eventually one of the toughest trophies in hockey to win, the Memorial Cup.
Here is a quick update on where each player stands:
June 22, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cody Ceci is selected as the number fifteen overall draft pick to the Ottawa Senators in the 2012 NHL Draft at CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
THE QMJHL
Jacub Culek – The Senators’ 3rd round pick in 2010 missed a vast majority of the season with a shoulder injury, allowing him to suit up for only 9 games with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. He had 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points as the team missed the playoffs. He has been assigned to Binghamton before this past weekend, but didn’t appear in any games, but he has yet to suit up as a pro.
Francois Brassard – A late round steal last summer (6th round, 166th overall) the goaltender for the Quebec Remparts had a great season and is off to a good start in the playoffs. After going 33-18-4 in the regular season, Brassard led his club to a 4-2 first round series victory over Chicoutimi. The next opponent for Brassard and the Remparts are still to be determined pending the completion of the Val D’Or – PEI Rocket Series.
THE OHL
Cody Ceci – The Senators 1st round pick in 2012 got to move to a playoff contender when he was dealt to Owen Sound from the Ottawa 67’s prior to January’s OHL trade deadline. Ceci had 24 points in 27 games in OS, finishing the season as the 2nd highest scoring blueliner in the league. He had 5 assists in the first round of the playoffs as the Attack dispatched the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 6 games in the first round.
Jarrod Maidens – The Senators’ third round pick in 2012 has had his career derailed by a concussion that has kept him out of action since November 30 2011. He is still hopeful to be able to return to the game, but the recovery has been long and his future is in jeopardy. If healthy, he would be a teammate of Ceci with the Attack.
Matt Puempel – One of the Senators’ 3-1st round picks in 2011 will see his first taste of the second round of the playoffs when his Kitchener Rangers face the powerful London Knights. Puempel missed time this season with a shoulder injury but still managed to put up 35 goals in 51 games. He had 2 goals and 2 assists in Kitchener’s 5 game elimination of the Guelph Storm.
Stefan Noesen – Another of the first rounders from 2011 Noesen missed 10 games and the World Juniors because of a suspension, but in 51 games managed 25 goals and 28 assists. Noeson will be squaring off against Ceci and the Attack in round 2 after his Plymouth Whalers swept the Sting in round 1. Noesen put up 3 goals and 3 assists in the first round.
THE WHL
Chris Dreidger – The Senators’ 3rd round pick in 2012 had a standout year with the Calgary Hitmen. The first year starter posted a 35-14-4 record with a 2.51 GAA and .915 SP. The 3rd seeded Hitmen had little trouble in the first round, eliminating the Swift Current Broncos in 5 games to advance to play the Red Deer Rebels in round 2.
Jordan Fransoo – Ottawa’s 7th round pick in 2011 is currently involved in a first round battle, as his Victoria Royals trail the Kamloops Blazers 3-2 in the series. The big blueliner has two assists in the 5 games so far after posting 8 goals and 14 assists to go along with 80 PIMs in 67 regular season games this season.
Troy Rutkowski – The recent free agent signing by the Senators is having a solid playoff with 2 goals and 5 assists through 5 games of their first round series. But, like fellow prospect Fransoo, Rutkowski is not yet through to the second round as his top-seeded Portland Winter Hawks have had their hands full with the Everett Silvertips, and play game 6 tonight. The Winter Hawks are up 3-2 in the series and look to finish their opponents off tonight to avoid a game 7 showdown.