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Ottawa Senators Prospects: Mark Kastelic Leads Calgary Hitmen in Final Season

By Daniel Bruce

KELOWNA, BC - FEBRUARY 17: Mark Kastelic #12 of the Calgary Hitmen skates against the Kelowna Rockets during first period at Prospera Place on February 17, 2020 in Kelowna, Canada. Kastelic was selected in the 2019 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
KELOWNA, BC - FEBRUARY 17: Mark Kastelic #12 of the Calgary Hitmen skates against the Kelowna Rockets during first period at Prospera Place on February 17, 2020 in Kelowna, Canada. Kastelic was selected in the 2019 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /
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An Ottawa Senators 5th round selection in 2019, Mark Kastelic thrived in his last season of junior

A late bloomer, Kastelic was drafted in his draft +2 year after being passed over in his first two years of eligibility.

A large presence on the ice at 6’3″ and 220 pounds who also isn’t afraid to mix it up with his opponents and be an intimidating presence in the WHL. The gritty forward had a combined 205 penalty minutes over his last two seasons, not shying away from the tough areas.

A leader in the locker room, the Senators draft pick was the captain for the Hitmen over his final two seasons in the organization. Now expected to start in the minors next season after signing his Entry-Level contract on April 9th. With the rugged playstyle he possesses, the former Calgary Hitmen captain shouldn’t have a problem adapting to the pro game.

2019-2020 Recap

Leading a solid Calgary Hitmen team, Kastelic led the team in most statistical categories, leading in goals, points and plus-minus. Despite playing around 10 games less than some of his teammates, he still found a way to outpace his counterparts.

Appearing in 58 games, scoring 38 goals and adding 30 assists, Kastelic has shown the ability to put the puck in the net over his last two seasons. Combing for 85 goals during that two-year stretch, leading the whole WHL.

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The Hitmen captain enjoyed a stellar finish to the season with 15 goals in his final 14 games, if the season wasn’t shortened due to Covid-19, Kastelic could have continued his dominance.

A center during his time in Calgary there’s no telling if Ottawa will want Kastelic on the wing, but his dominance in the faceoff circle in junior gives him some intrigue as he finished his career with a  60% win rate.

The Senators prospect showcases a nice shot and can use it to beat opposing goaltenders clean:

He rifles the shot above through the goalies wickets with a quick release.

Kastelic regularly shows his great character and is never hesitant when sticking up for his teammates, in the clip below during some AHL preseason games he took exception to a cheap shot by the Laval defenceman:

While the big-framed centerman came out on the losing side, he showed to his team that he never backs down.

Kastelic impressed early on with the Senators in camp and stuck it out with Belleville during the preseason before eventually being sent back to junior.

What to Expect from Kastelic

Turning 21 just as the season ended, Kastelic is aged out of junior and now has to report to the pro-level now. With no conceivable path to the NHL roster as of now, it’s most likely the gritty forward starts his professional career in Belleville.

The former Calgary Hitmen isn’t without his lumps, he is a poor skater that’s been cited by some to need necessary improvement.

Also, his dominance in junior over the last two seasons could be because of his developed frame, at the older age of 19 and 20  for those seasons, he was able to physically dominate opponents, something that won’t happen in the pros. As a 5th round pick these weaknesses aren’t a surprise and if he can improve the finer areas of his game he could blossom into a contributor for Ottawa in the future.

Hot. Throwback Thursday: Greatest Players at Each Position in Senators History. light

Next season should be spent in the AHL developing his skills and acclimating himself to the pro game. The main goal for Kastelic should be improving his skating while not compromising his large frame, which he could use to carve out a niche role in Ottawa.

While the NHL shouldn’t be an expectation any time soon, he forecasts as a potential 3rd or 4th line center who could be outstanding in the faceoff circle. If he can win draws consistently and offer a gritty, physical aspect to the Senators he could carve out a nice bottom-six role in the coming years.

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