David Dziurzynski and the Binghamton Senators are no strangers to one another as the Lloydminster, Alberta native has made Binghamton his home during the winter months the last four seasons. That’s a rare occurrence these days as players often get shuffled around while parent club’s jockey to get the best product on the ice night after night and in the process, they either have patience or cut their losses as I guess they like what they see in the 24-year-old winger. Ottawa offered and Dizzy accepted, another two-way deal but this time for two years in lieu of one like last season, averaging $750,000/$92,500 per year.
Dziurzynski also spent some time up in Ottawa in 2013 while filling in for an injury as he got a feel for playing in the NHL, but in more ways than one. Out of his career for the B-Sens, the club has made the playoffs three out of four seasons while winning it all in 2011. Now entering his fifth pro season, he’s got a shot in cracking Ottawa’s line up from camp this upcoming September.
*Photo(s) courtesy of Alicia Strauch.
Senators Take A Gamble On The Undrafted Free Agent
Dziurzynski skated for the Lloydminster Bobcats in the Alberta Junior Hockey League for two seasons producing 12 goals with 25 helpers, while earning 185 pims in 54 games in 2008-’09. The following year he played for Alberni Valley in the BCHL where he had a monster season scoring 21 goals while adding 53 assists and 79 pim’s in 57 games. Those last two seasons caught the attention scouts were looking for as the Senators offered a three-year, entry-level deal in which the 20-year-old free agent signed in 2010.
David made his pro debut October 16th on a team loaded with talent in Binghamton scoring 6 goals 14 assists in 75 games as the rookie made the tough adjustment from Tier II Juniors to the tough caliber of play in the AHL. He got into his first pro fight with Kevin Veilleux of the Penguins with Veilleux getting the most of him in late October. Coach Kurt Kleinendorst liked what he saw in the rookie as he battled hard in the corners and taking out the body using his big frame while playing with Jim O’Brien and Erik Condra. The club made the post season as the lanky, 6’3 also appeared in 14 playoff games in helping the City in celebrating their first Championship in nearly 40 years.
More from Belleville Senators
- Belleville Senators: What To Expect In 2023-24
- David Bell Officially Appointed as Belleville Head Coach
- What To Expect From Ottawa Senators’ Pending UFA’s
- BREAKING: Belleville Senators sign Ryan Bednard to PTO
- Belleville Senators acquire Graham McPhee
First Call Up Doesn’t End Up Well In Ottawa
It was mid February of 2013 when David got the call with forward Milan Michalek out nursing a knee injury. All was going well as he was getting some valuable minutes learning what it takes to make the NHL but that would all change one night in Toronto. 26 seconds in after puck drop he was asked to dance, which at first he refused, possibly feeling overwhelmed in starting, but instantly changed his mind with Toronto’s 6′ 5 Frazer McLaren. It didn’t go very well as David got a few jabs in before taking a right to the chin and was knocked out cold and had to be helped off the ice by his line mates, trying to find his long wobbly legs in the process. That would put an end to his 10 game run in the NHL as he was later diagnosed with a concussion.
Will Dziurzynski bounce back once again when the phone rings? Probably. Though perhaps in his best interest, next time he might want to pick his sparring partner a little more carefully. Ottawa would benefit in his aggressiveness while hitting opponent’s into the boards and digging deep in the corners of Canadian Tire Centre on the checking line, so yes, you cannot let one night ruin his opportunities in the near future.
Strong Finish For Dizzy As Sens Win East
There wasn’t a call up to be made for him as the entire organization remarkably, escaped with little injuries last season. That didn’t stop Dziurzynski though, as he had a pro high 13 goals and 12 assists with 91 pim’s in 68 games for the B-Sens. He scored four goals and an assist in the last seven regular season games in helping his club to a 4-3 record that saw
them win the East Division for the franchise’s third Division title in their 12 year history.
Dziurzynski does lack the high-end skills that won’t put up points on the board on a consistent basis but does the little things well in making up his lack of point production. The left winger can play the right side as well and even at center at times as Luke Richardson demonstrated while juggling up his lines.
Dizzy can put down the gloves with authority but certainly not in the class of team mate’s Mike Sdao or Mark Boroweicki. He won’t back down if enticed to the fisticuffs, just don’t expect too much out of him but he handles his own. Got in 5 1/2 fights last season, the 1/2 being with Zack Stortini as the two ended up quickly wrestling each other to the ice before any punches were thrown. His younger brother Darian likes to mix it up as well getting into 11 fights of his own while racking up 183 pim’s in 54 games for Portland last season.
Although the soft-spoken, big man doesn’t give a ton of off ice interviews, his experience is a team leader as he wore the ‘A’ on his jersey which might end up turning into the letter ‘C’ come this September. Currently Mark Borowiecki is the team’s Captain and when he’s ready to move on in Ottawa on a more permanent basis, that’ll be handed off to either Derek Grant or Dziurzynski if you are taking seniority into account, as they are the last two remaining players from the 2011 Calder Cup championship season.
Da Costa Signs With KHL, Confirming Rumor’s
In unrelated news, ex-Sens Stephane Da Costa just signed with CSKA Moscow of the KHL for a one year contract ending his three-year ‘experimental’ run on North America soil for the Senators’ organization. It was expected the Frenchman would not return after burning all his opportunities given and coming up short in the making. I still believe with Mike Hoffman now playing in Ottawa, Stephane would have come into his own playing with him like it successfully developed in Binghamton, but patience wore thin as both parties parted and went their separate ways.
Oh well, adios and good luck Boss!