With their final selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Senators selected Cole Reinhardt
Pierre Dorion and his scouting staff have never been scared to take the occasional overager and that was apparent with this draft class, topped off by the selection of 20-year-old Cole Reinhardt.
Reinhardt spent four-years with the Brandon Wheat King’s organization and while he didn’t have many accolades he was a reliable player during his tenure. He’s not the flashiest player on the ice but he can get to the right spots like he did plenty of times last season.
Biography
Date of Birth: February 1, 2000
Hometown: Irricana, Alberta
H: 6’1″ W: 203 Pounds
Shoots: Left
Growing up in Alberta and playing in the Airdrie minor hockey program, Reinhardt wasn’t creating lots of buzz and there’s a reason he was drafted in the 9th round of the WHL Bantam Draft in 2015. Despite his draft status, Reinhardt wasn’t deterred and would make the Wheat Kings roster at the beginning of the 2016-17 season. That year he would put up just 7 points in 61 games but he proved he could be an everyday player at the junior level. The next season would be a huge one for Reinhardt, producing 34 points in 68 games and getting noticed by multiple scouting services (Ranked #116 by ISS and #215 by Future Considerations), while also getting a taste of the NHL getting invited to the Colorado Avalanche development camp. While he wasn’t drafted, the NHL wasn’t completely out of grasp and while he would have liked to do better in 2018-2019 where he produced just 45 points, the dream wasn’t over.
Last season would be Reinhardt’s best, scoring 31 goals and 55 points in 56 games, by far his best season in the WHL. Despite being passed on twice already, the Ottawa Senators rewarded the Wheat Kings forward in the sixth-round.
Attributes
Not the flashiest player on the ice; Reinhardt blended average skating with an above-average shot to flourish in his final season in junior. At just over 200 pounds he has an NHL frame and has the ability to contribute on both sides of special teams. Reinhardt potted 8 goals on the power-play and 1 shorthanded goal last season.
One of the nicer goals on the season for the Senators draft pick off of the rush.
What They’re Saying
The data doesn’t take too kindly to Reinhardt’s resume:
Cole Reinhardt L, Round 6, 181st Overall
— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) October 15, 2020
Yet another 2+ overager with middling production. That's three now. Reinhardt is also born earlier in the year which makes him even more of a long shot.
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His middling production is a little worrisome but many players near the end of the draft never have the best odds to make it and some do.
Trent Mann recapped the selection:
"“He’s just a kid that I think has taken a little time to gain confidence on what he’s able to do and what his assets are. An extremely strong skater and a extremely good shot, he has a good stick and is able to steal pucks on the ice and then he has the speed to pull away and get opportunities to score.”"
Mann is a huge fan of the way Reinhardt uses his speed and shot to be effective and also cited his active stick.
2020-2021
Reinhardt has two options: stay for his overage year with Brandon or join Belleville, and it will be a decision that is going to be aided by the Senators staff and what they think the best development plan is.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see the sixth-round pick back in junior again as the jump to the AHL might be too big at the moment.