Ottawa Senators sign Lassi Thomson

The Ottawa Senators announced yesterday that the organization signed this year’s first-round selection Lassi Thomson to an entry-level contract.

Lassi Thomson was selected by the Ottawa Senators 19th overall in this year’s NHL Entry Draft with the pick that was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Matt Duchene trade. Lassi Thomson spent last season playing for Adam Foote and the Kelowna Rockets.

The right-handed defenceman had a pretty solid first season in the Western Hockey League putting up 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points. He led the WHL both in goals by defencemen and points by defencemen.

The addition of Thomson to the Senators defensive prospect depth now gives the team four defencemen that should play in the team’s top-4 for years to come in Thomas Chabot, Erik Brannstrom, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and now Lassi Thomson.

Senators fans got their first glimpse of Lassi Thomson in a Sens jersey during development camp that took place just after the Draft.

The 18-year-old Tampere, Finland native is described on his Elite Prospects page as a “skilled two-way defenceman with above-average offensive tools.”

There were rumblings after the draft that Thomson might be leaving Kelowna to return to play for his hometown team of Ilves in the Finnish Liiga.

I think it would take a pretty big and impressive showing at training camp in September for Thomson to not end up returning home for the season. Thomson is also expected to be relied upon heavily by Finland’s World Junior U20 come January.

The team’s news release of the signing provided fans with the following quotes from Pierre Dorion:

“Lassi has great offensive instincts and an NHL-calibre shot,” said general manager Pierre Dorion. “He also brings a high compete level – he’s always moving his feet and driving the pace of play. We came away from development camp in Ottawa very impressed and feel that he is going to be an important piece of our team’s future.”

Senators fans, what do you think of the signing? Were you surprised that the Senators drafted Thomson in the first round? What are your expectations for the young defenceman in the future? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!