Stephen Halliday is making big strides in Belleville

At the 2022 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators were hoping to find success in the middle rounds of the draft. With the 104th overall pick, the Senators selected Stephen Halliday.

From 2022-2024, Halliday spent two seasons playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 78 games as a Buckeye, Halliday recorded 77 points. Of those 77 points, 58 were assists. Halliday would also play 10 games in the AHL with the Belleville Senators last season. While playing in Belleville, Halliday would only record five points.

At 22 years old this season, Halliday returned to play in the AHL with Belleville looking to improve his game and get more used to AHL play. So far this season, Halliday has made successful strides with playing in Belleville, and has been an important piece on Belleville's roster.

Belleville has been a surprise with being third on Belleville's roster with 19 points

In 27 games played in Belleville this season, Halliday is third on the roster with 19 points. As one of the two rookies on Belleville's roster, Halliday has impressed so far.

Along with having 19 points, Halliday is second on Belleville's roster with seven goals. Yesterday against the Utica Comets, Halliday scored two goals in a game for the first time this season. Halliday's two-goal game marked his second two-point game of the season.

Halliday started off this season in Belleville struggling with recording five points through the first 14 games of the season. Over the past 13 games, Halliday has recorded 14 points, a big improvement with finding consistency.

At one point, Halliday went eight consecutive games with recording at least one point. Halliday finished 2024 with recording at least one point in three of the last four games of the year.

For Halliday to have a two-goal game to close out 2024, the Senators hope it means bigger things are to come in 2025. Halliday showed potential while being at Ohio State, now he's showing it in Belleville.