Ottawa Senators: Angus Crookshank Signs Entry-Level Contract
By Daniel Bruce
The 2018 5th-round pick is on his way to Belleville following the conclusion of a successful junior season
Angus Crookshank 21, enjoyed his best season as a New Hamspshire Wildcat in his final season with the team, scoring 9 goals and 18 points in just 20 games. The Senators prospect ended the season on a tear:
In his last six games with the University of New Hampshire, #Sens prospect Angus Crookshank has 5 goals, 7 assists, and 26 SOG. With a big game coming up against top-seed Boston College, he's caught fire at the perfect time.
— Shaan Malik (@shaan_fp4L) March 11, 2021
The competitive forward chose to forego his final year of college eligibility for the opportunity to turn professional. In his three seasons with New Hampshire, Crookshank appeared in 90 games, scoring 35 times and adding 28 helpers, every season he was one of the team’s more relied upon forwards.
The contract doesn’t kick in until the beginning of the 2021-22 season, so Crookshank will play the rest of the season out on an ATO in Belleville. In 10 games this season, Belleville only has 2 wins and looks like a completely different team than last year, because they are. With the graduations of players like Josh Norris, Drake Batherson and the carousel that has taken place at the goaltending position , Belleville was put in a tough spot. To rectify this the Senators will be signing their next wave of prospects following the conclusion of their respective collegiate seasons, Crookshank represents the first arrival from that group.
It is expected for Crookshank to have a large role with Belleville, likely in a top-six role. They’ve struggled scoring and with Crookshank’s pedigree he should be a welcomed and effective addition.
With his entry-level contract not kicking in until the beginning of next season, it’s doubtful we will see Crookshank suit up for Ottawa this season, but he will have every opportunity when he enters his first Senators training camp next season.