Ottawa Senators sign Jonathan Aspirot to entry-level deal
By James Reeve
The Ottawa Senators have today announced the signing of promising young defenceman Jonathan Aspirot on a three-year entry-level contract.
With no hockey taking place, the Ottawa Senators have moved to lock up a promising young prospect in the shape of left-handed defenceman Jonathan Aspirot, who has agreed to terms to a three-year entry-level deal.
The 20-year-old Mascouche, Quebec native has earned his first NHL deal after an impressive rookie campaign in the AHL with Ottawa’s affiliates, the Belleville Senators.
He originally signed a two-year, two-way AHL deal with the B-Sens after going undrafted, but this new contract with the Ottawa club will see that final year of his minor league deal voided, potentially seeing the young blueliner earn a pay rise.
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Aspirot originally went undrafted after playing for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL during his days in juniors, where he was named team captain in his final year before joining the Belleville Senators.
In 188 regular-season games played with the Wildcats, the blueliner scored 22 goals and had 73 total points, playing more of a traditional defensive role.
He earned an invitation to the Senators’ development camp back in 2018 before returning to Moncton to complete what would be his final season in juniors, a year in which he had 12 goals and 35 total points as the captain of the Wildcats.
After turning pro, Aspirot had 16 total points (two goals, 14 assists) with the B-Sens in the AHL, playing alongside a number of other promising Ottawa Senators defensive prospects.
"“His progression has collectively indicated to our hockey staff that he has become a legitimate NHL prospect.” – Ottawa Senators GM, Pierre Dorion."
His growth over the season has clearly impressed with Senators organisation, seeing him earn a professional deal – taking the team’s total to 27 for the 2020/21 season at the time of writing.
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While Aspirot still has somewhat of an outside chance at making the NHL roster, his development has been truly promising and he should become one of the top players at the position in Belleville next season, with some of his teammates looking to earn the call up to the show.