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Prospect Update: Ottawa Senators prospects in the CHL

By Daniel Bruce|
OTTAWA, ON - JUNE 29: Ottawa Senators Prospect Center Jonathan Gruden (81) skates with the puck during the Ottawa Senators Development Camp on June 29, 2018, at Richcraft Sensplex in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JUNE 29: Ottawa Senators Prospect Center Jonathan Gruden (81) skates with the puck during the Ottawa Senators Development Camp on June 29, 2018, at Richcraft Sensplex in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With five prospects playing in the CHL the Ottawa Senators have vested interest in junior this season and with the majority of them thriving the Senators should be happy with their progress

Jonathan Gruden (LW)

London Knights (OHL) 54GP 27G 34A +18

After struggling last season Gruden signed an Entry Level deal and left the University of Miami (Ohio) for the London Knights of the OHL. He is their third leading scorer and will look to lead the Knights on a run through the Memorial Cup with a strong team in London.

As an Ottawa Senators fourth round pick from 2018, Gruden looks promising. While a bit undersized he has high hockey sense and skill which can translate to the next level.

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Maxence Guenette (D)

Val d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL) 56GP 11G 22A -9

Guenette was a suprise in training camp and made some great plays during preseason to stick around with the team for a while. Guenette is on a pretty weak Val d’Or team and is arguably their most important player.

Guenette is a good two-way defender who can play some offence, he has surpassed his point total from last season in twelve less games at 33.

The Ottawa Senators will hope the 18 year-old can push for a spot onto the Canadian world junior squad next year with a good campaign next year.

Mark Kastelic (C)

Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 51GP 33G 28A +34

Kastelic is 20 years-old so his domination at the WHL level is expected, he has been the most impressive player on the Hitmen, he leads the team in goals and points. He is still an imposing physical force with 73 PIMS so far this year, with his big frame this shouldn’t come as any suprise to anyone.

Kastelic has had a very successful February with 9 goals in 10 games, including a 4 goal game against the Regina Pats. Look for Kastelic to bring his physicality and goal scoring into the WHL playoffs for the Hitmen.

Kevin Mandolese (G)

Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) 34GP 24-7-1 0.922 SV% 2.39 GAA

Mandolese has been having a breakout season for the Eagles in the QMJHL, so far leads the Q in save percentage and sits third in league in goals against average, while sitting fourth in wins. His big frame is tough to beat and it has been evident this year.

Out of all the Sens goalie prospects this year Mandolese has to be the biggest success story and the Senators are looking for him to turn into a 6th round steal.

Mads Sogaard (G) 

Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) 33GP 17-13-2 0.902 SV% 2.72 GAA

Sogaard started off the season slow for Medicine Hat, with his save percentage dipping below 0.900 for the majority of the season, lately he has found his game. Though his wins have dipped, he garnered a shutout recently against the Regina Pats stopping all 24 shots he faced.

At 6’7″ Sogaard’s development should take a step forward while he refines his game, which could result in him making a jump similar to the one Mandolese has made either at the end of this season or next season with Medicine Hat.

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