Senators Presence on Team Canada – A Rarity That Stone Aims To Change

The Ottawa Senators have done a pretty good job drafting players over the years, but they have not had the same success in terms of drafting high level Canadian talent.  On only 6 occasions have Sens fans been able to cheer for not only their home Country’s team but also a prospect from their home NHL team at the same time:

Some of these players played more than 1 year (Spezza, Phillips, Daigle) but only those years listed were they already Senators property.

Senators fans have been able to cheer for numerous prospects over the years, but it did not coincide with Team Canada’s best interests, and vice versa.  They were playing for other countries and would often clash with Team Canada, sometimes putting a minor strain on loyalties.  Of course for most fans it was Canada before prospect when this occurred, but a little part of many were hoping for a good showing from the prospect in question, even in a losing cause.

So it is great news for Senators fans to see that prospect Mark Stone played well enough at this past week’s evaluation camp that he should be in the front seat when it comes time for the team to be named in December.  If as many current prospects are in the NHL next year as it is predicted, Stone could move from being a piece of the puzzle to a centrepiece of the team that is attempting to end two years of frustrating silver medal performances.

At home this winter in Edmonton and Calgary, the 22 players talented enough to be selected will try to bring the gold home where it belongs.

Stone was the Senators’ 6th round pick last summer, but put toghether a very impressive 2010-11 season as a member of the Brandon Wheat Kings to become a top level prospect. Hopefully this is the first of a string of talented Canadians that will represent both Canada and the Senators in future WJCs.

Also attending the evaluation camp were Senators 2011 1st rounder Matt Puempel, as well as Ottawa 67’s players Cody Ceci and Tyler Toffoli, and local products Ryan Spooner and Erik Gudbranson.

Mark Stone will be the subject of this week’s Prospect Profile on SenShot.  Look for it later this week!

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