When the 2024-25 hockey season arrived, one prospect the Ottawa Senators needed to keep an eye on was 22-year-old Stephen Halliday. 2024 was a strong start to Halliday's season.
As 2024 concluded, Halliday's AHL play was starting to get noticed. Halliday was then third on Belleville's roster with 19 points and second on the team with seven goals.
Ottawa has faced injury issues this season deeply. Even with some forwards not practicing at the moment, Ottawa hasn't called up Halliday. But, Halliday's solid play in 2025 may have to get him called up at some point, and almost immediately with his standout play.
Halliday still continues to shine in Belleville
As of the morning of Feb. 20, Halliday leads Belleville's roster with 35 points. The growth of Halliday has been widely impressive in 2025.
Halliday has recorded four multi-point games in 2025. In 16 games in 2025, Halliday has managed to record at least one point in 10 of them. Halliday also managed to have a five-game point streak in 2025.
Halliday has transformed himself into an all-around player this season with scoring 15 goals and recording 20 assists. Halliday scored for Belleville in its 5-2 loss yesterday to the Utica Comets. Halliday's goal yesterday was his fourth goal scored over the past five games.
Hally now leads the team with 35 points 🔥 https://t.co/3NNWFjAROI pic.twitter.com/4KHlP2i37J
— Belleville Senators (@BellevilleSens) February 20, 2025
If Halliday was to get called up to the NHL, he could add a spark to an Ottawa team that needs one when the team returns to play this Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens. Along with having injuries rattling the team, including both Josh Norris and Shane Pinto, Ottawa also headed into the 4 Nations Face-Off break without momentum.
Ottawa dropped both of its games to the Tampa Bay Lightning and its one game against the Florida Panthers. Six huge points went away with the losses in an attempt to climb further up in the Eastern Conference standings.
With Halliday's play, it could be a challenge for a young prospect to play in the top-nine quickly, but Halliday's AHL play could potentially earn him a spot in the top-nine at the moment if Ottawa wants to bring him up.
Belleville will return to action tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. ET when they play the Rochester Americans at Blue Cross Arena.