SenShot
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 21: Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris (37) skates with the puck during first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on September 21, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 21: Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris (37) skates with the puck during first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on September 21, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Josh Norris

Despite having a stellar rookie season with the Belleville Senators, Norris didn’t quite crack my list of most likely graduates. However, he gains an honourable mention here because if he builds on last season, he will be competitive in training camp and might even come out with a full-time spot.

In Belleville this season he scored 31 goals and 30 assists for 61 points in 56 games. This was enough to gain him rookie of the year honours in the AHL. If not at the start of next season, it won’t be long until Norris is in the NHL full-time.

More from SenShot

Alex Formenton

Similarly to Josh Norris, Formenton had an excellent rookie campaign with the Belleville Senators. He scored 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points in 61 games. Like Norris, he has the ability to push for a roster spot in camp but will most likely start the season back in Belleville. If he continues to produce in the AHL, he will surely be called upon quickly to jump up into the NHL with the Ottawa Senators.

Fellow SenShot contributor Daniel Bruce recently wrote an excellent piece on the rise of Alex Formenton in the Ottawa Prospect system.

Related Story. A look into the rise of Ottawa Senators prospect Alex Formenton. light

Christian Jaros

An honourable mention goes out to Christian Jaros. Jaros played 13 games with the Ottawa Senators this season. Bouncing between both the NHL and AHL because on injuries in the organization. He is a fairly reliable defender with good size at 6’3, 222lbs. I expect Jaros to compete with guys like Erik Brannstrom and Mike Rielly for a roster spot next season. Most likely, he will start the season in Belleville and gain opportunities through call-ups to the NHL.

Filip Chlapik

I will give the last honourable mention to Filip Chlapik. Chlapik surprisingly made the NHL roster out of training camp last season before being sent back to Belleville later. Chlapik has 56 NHL games under his belt which will certainly help him against the inexperience of other Senators prospects. Chlapik is a player I can see potentially slotting into the bottom-six out of training camp next season if he continues his strong, two-way play.

Home/Analysis