SenShot Presents: Ottawa’s Top 40 Prospects (17 – 20)

Over the next ten days, SenShot will release our Top 40 Ottawa Senators Prospects.

Today, we crack the Top 20 Prospects and bring to you another four of Ottawa’s prospects in their system. In our Top 40 Prospects ranking, these four prospects are ranked 17th to 20th.

17. Louie Caporusso

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

Ht: 5’10”  Wt: 190 lbs

Date of Birth: June 21, 1989 (Age 22)

Birthplace: Toronto, Ont, Canada

Contract: $565,000 (RFA in 2013-2014)

Drafted: 2007 (3/90) by OTT

Last Yrs Stats: GP ~ 41  Goals ~ 11  Assists ~ 20  Total Points ~ 31

Potential: Top nine forward with a strong two-way game and scoring upside

2011-2012 Team: Binghamton Senators (AHL)

How Far Away From The NHL: 2 – 3 yrs

• A highly skilled- scoring forward, Caporusso has put up 68 goals and 144 points in 160 games over four seasons at Michigan. With a stocky build, Caporusso has speed to burn and the shiftiness to work in the offensive zone. Despite his smaller stature, Caporusso doesn’t shy away from the dirty zones. Still, size is an issue, but he has never let it stop him from producing before.
• Ottawa signed Caporusso to a two-year entry level contract this summer and they plan on him being a scoring threat for the B-Sens. Even though he is a natural center, he might be moved to the wing as he has the speed and finishing abilities to be a skilled scoring winger. Caporusso also plays a strong two-way game and is solid in the defensive zone. With good hockey sense, Caporusso can also set up teammates as he is a excellent passer.
• Caporusso will be the second 2007 draftee to turn pro and join the B-Sens (Jim O’Brien is the other) as he tries to bring back some respect to that draft class. Depending on how he adjusts to the pro game, Ottawa hopes to have found a scoring forward late in the draft that can rack up points. He will probably spend the entire year with the B-Sens and will be easier to evaluate next summer. If all goes right, Caporusso  could fill a role as a solid two-way forward on the third line in the NHL.
• Check out this video of caporusso’s work and funny side.
• Check out SenShot’s Prospect Profile of Louie Caporusso

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18. David Dziurzynski

Position: Left Winger

Shoots: Left

Ht: 6’3″  Wt: 205 lbs

Date of Birth: October 06, 1989 (Age 21)

Birthplace: Lloydminster, Alta, Canada

Contract: $600,000 (RFA in 2013-2014)

Drafted: Signed as a Free Agent in 2010 by OTT

Last Yrs Stats: GP ~ 75  Goals ~ 6  Assists ~ 14  Total Points ~ 20

Potential: Top nine forward or fourth line energy forward

2011-2012 Team: Binghamton Senators (AHL)

How Far Away From The NHL: 2 – 3 yrs

• Signed out of the BCHL, Ottawa won a bidding war for Dziurzynski services as the power forward notched  21 goals and 74 points along with 79 penalty minutes in 57 games. He then topped off his great year as an overager junior as he added nine goals and 19 points in 13 playoff games.
• With a great frame (6’3″ and 205 lbs), Dziurzynski also has great speed and soft hands. With his game built on a blend of skill and toughness, Dziurzynski has all the tools to be a dominant power forward at the pro level. In his first season with the B-Sens, he notched 20 points in his limited ice time as he adjusted to the pro game. He added three assists in 14 AHL playoff games as he helped the B-Sens win their first Calder Cup.
• Ottawa signed Dziurzynski based on his raw talent and the potential they saw in him. He is still a project, and Ottawa would like for him to work on his offensive game. He is a big, strong guy, but fighting is not his game and that’s not how Ottawa wants him to develop. They like the toughness and grit in his game, but they would prefer him to use his power and speed to hurt opponents on the scoreboard. If all goes right, Dziurzynski could be a productive top nine forward that could provide secondary scoring.
• Check out this video of Dziurzynski’s work.

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19. Mark Borowiecki

Position: Defenceman

Shoots: Left

Ht: 6’1″  Wt: 205 lbs

Date of Birth: July 12, 1989 (Age 22)

Birthplace: Ottawa, Ont, Canada

Contract: $610,000 (RFA in 2013-2014)

Drafted: 2008 (5/139) by OTT

Last Yrs Stats: GP ~ 31  Goals ~ 3  Assists ~ 9  Total Points ~ 12

Potential: Top six defensive defenceman with a mean streak

2011-2012 Team: Binghamton Senators (AHL)

How Far Away From The NHL: 2 – 3 yrs

• Borowiecki is a hard nosed, gritty defensive defenseman who plays the game with 110% effort. Borowiecki does everything in the defensive zone that a coach can ask – he hits, blocks shots, is strong on the boards and protects the front of the net. With a solid frame, Borowiecki has a mean streak that he uses to keep opponents honest. With little to no offense to his game, Borowiecki will make his mark in the NHL as a solid shut down defenseman. Borowiecki will be a fan favorite in Ottawa as he is a home town boy and plays a hard working game that fans love.
• After completing three years at Clarkson University, Borowiecki signed a two-year entry level contract to begin his pro career. Thinking that he might get a chance to suit up for a few games down the stretch for the B-Sens, Borowiecki was called to duty when a rash of injuries hit the B-Sens’ blue line in the AHL playoffs. Playing in 21 playoff games, Borowiecki played top four minutes as a shut down D-man as he helped the B-Sens win their first AHL Calder Cup.
• Ottawa sees Borowiecki as a potential shut down D-man that can complement the mix of offensive-minded defensive prospects in the system. Borowiecki plays hard and will earn a big role in Binghamton this fall. Don’t be surprised if Borowiecki is wearing a letter for the B-Sens in the near future too. Still a few years away from a full-time gig in the NHL, Borowiecki may get a sniff in Ottawa this year as a reward/incentive for his strong play.
• Check out this video of Borowiecki’s work.

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20. Craig Schira

Position: Defenceman

Shoots: Right

Ht: 6’0″  Wt: 196 lbs

Date of Birth: April 21, 1988 (Age 23)

Birthplace: Spiritwood, Sask, Canada

Contract: $545,000 (RFA in 2012-2013)

Drafted: Signed as a Free Agent in 2009 by OTT

Last Yrs Stats: GP ~ 67  Goals ~ 3  Assists ~ 10  Total Points ~ 13

Potential: Depth defenceman with a little bit of an offensive upside

2011-2012 Team: Binghamton Senators (AHL)

How Far Away From The NHL: 2 – 3 yrs

• Signed as a free agent in 2009, Ottawa brought Schira into the system to add depth to a weak prospect cupboard at the time. As an offensive defenseman, Schira put up 16 goals and 51 points in his last year of junior with Vancouver. With a good frame, Schira uses his body to lay down some big hits and to drop the gloves occasionally.
• With two seasons under his belt in Binghamton, Schira has yet to really find his stride. In 135 games, Schira has 11 goals and 34 points. With a number of blue chip prospects coming in this year on the blue line, Schira will be in tight competition to get a shot in the NHL this upcoming season. He does have pro experience over the other prospects which may give him the upper hand in getting closer to the NHL, but it’ll be up to him to make the most of his opportunity.
• With one more year on his current deal, if Schira works out, Ottawa would see that as a bonus. But if he does not, Ottawa would not be too affected as their prospect pipeline is well stocked. This year is a make-it-or-break-it year for Schira so it’ll be interesting to watch him with the B-Sens.

Now in the Top 20 Prospects, we are getting to the more established players that are either currently playing professional hockey, or are highly touted draft picks. On the blue line, Borowiecki has made a name for himself in the organization in the last few months with his solid play. Moving up the depth chart, Borowiecki has a good shot at being an everyday NHLer. Schira on the other hand needs to re-establish himself in the organization and prove that he can be a impact player on a young and inexperienced B-Sens squad this season. The Sens are high on both Caporusso and Dziurzynski as they see the potential in both. But it’ll be up to them to reach and exceed that potential if both hope to make it to the NHL. Both should get a lot of playing time this season in Binghamton as the roster has seen a huge turnover.

You can check out our 21st to 24th, 25th to 28th, 29th to 32nd, 33rd to 36th and 37th to 40th ranked prospects here.

Check back tomorrow when we get into the Top 20 Prospects and release our 13th to 16th ranked Ottawa Senators Prospects.

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