One of the Ottawa Senators' most important players on the roster is 22-year-old defenseman Jake Sanderson. In the 2024-25 season, Sanderson broke out big time.
Sanderson recorded a career-high 57 points by recording 11 goals and 46 assists in the 2024-25 season for the Senators. Sanderson's play helped the Senators make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Some might not think Sanderson is a household name defenseman in the NHL, but that is slowly changing based off of recent voting.
Sanderson cracks top 10 in Norris Trophy voting
It may not come as a surprise for some people that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar won the 2025 Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, but Sanderson's game is starting to get recognition based on the Norris Trophy voting.
Cale Makar wins the Norris Trophy #goavsgo
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) June 11, 2025
Zach Werenski gets second #cbj
Slavin is one of the best defensive d-man in the NHL #raiseup
Look at Lane Hutson finished 9th in Norris voting. He was one of the best defenseman in the league already #gohabsgo
Full results below pic.twitter.com/xbsPtSliUq
Sanderson finished in 10th place in the 2025 Norris Trophy voting. Sanderson received nine votes for fourth place and six votes for fifth place. Considering the rise of Sanderson's game in the 2024-25 season, it was a start for Sanderson to start getting higher votes and more recognition moving forward.
Sanderson became one of the best defensemen in the NHL when it came to powerplay success. Thirty of Sanderson's points in the 2024-25 season were powerplay points.
Sanderson was third on the Senators roster in points and second on the team in assists. Trust was earned by Sanderson from head coach Travis Green as his 24:26 average of ice time per game was the highest on the Senators roster.
While representing Team USA the 4 Nations Face-Off, former Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban said the Senators got a "great one" in Sanderson while watching him play. Sanderson scored a goal in Team USA's championship loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The biggest moment for Sanderson in his hockey career came in the 2025 playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs. While facing elimination in overtime, Sanderson had other ideas in Game 4.
Sanderson scored the overtime winner to help force a Game 5 back in Toronto. Despite losing the series in six games, Sanderson's goal in Game 4 was one of the biggest moments of the 2024-25 season for the Senators.
CATCH US WATCHING THIS ON REPEAT 🔁#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/Ltf5N8NPlV
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 27, 2025
The 2025-26 season will be another pivotal year for Sanderson. However, with a solid season in 2024-25 season, Sanderson can be expected to raise his game even higher and start getting more votes for the Norris Trophy in the future