Senators Sign NCAA Free Agent Garrett Thompson, Draft Pick Chris Driedger

You can add Ferris State University left winger Garrett Thompson to the list of NCAA free agents that the Ottawa Senators have recruited to the organization.

Stephane Da Costa, Jesse Winchester and Bobby Butler are among the players in the past that the Senators have brought into the fold, to varying degrees of success.

Thompson just completed his senior season with the Ferris State Bulldogs, scoring 16 goals and adding 16 assists this year.  He is 6’2″ and just under 200 lbs.  As a senior he is older than most high level rookies, and at 24 will need to have a steep learning curve to make an impact in the AHL and eventually the NHL.

Free Agent pickups like this add depth to the organizaton without costing a draft pick or trading an asset, and once in a while you can unearth a diamond in the rough. It remains to be seen if Thompson develops into one of those diamonds.

The Senators also inked 2012 3rd round pick, goaltender Chris Drieger of the Calgary Hitmen to an entry level deal.  Driedger struggled in the first round as his Hitmen were upset by the Kootenay Ice in 6 games. Driedger posted a 4.39 GAA and .870 SP in the 6 game series.

Both Thompson and Driedger will be assigned to Binghamton for the stretch run.