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Ottawa Senators: Most Likely Belleville Graduates of 2019/2020

By Joe Hanniman

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 18: Drake Batherson #19 of the Ottawa Senators prepares for a face-off against the Buffalo Sabres at Canadian Tire Centre on February 18, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 18: Drake Batherson #19 of the Ottawa Senators prepares for a face-off against the Buffalo Sabres at Canadian Tire Centre on February 18, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 10: Rudolfs Balcers #38 of the Ottawa Senators takes a shot past the stick of Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 10: Rudolfs Balcers #38 of the Ottawa Senators takes a shot past the stick of Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

#5 Rudolfs Balcers

Another player that might be considered already “graduated” by some, but has been forced into lengthily conditioning stints with Belleville due to injury. Balcers had seemingly already graduated from Belleville heading into this season before being injured in September. Balcers had 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points in 33 games with Belleville this season.

Balcers has already played 51 career NHL games with the Ottawa Senators. He also finished the season on the NHL roster after playing his way back into the lineup, scoring 3 points in 15 games.


I see Balcers being competitive in training camp next season and he has already shown he can land a bottom-six role with the Ottawa Senators. This is where he was slotted down the stretch at the NHL level.

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