The Belleville Senators have had it rough the first two games into the 2025-26 season. After losing today to the Bridgeport Islanders 6-2, Belleville is 0-2-0 to start the season.
Goaltending is an issue early into the season. After Mads Sogaard allowed in four goals on nine shots on goal last night in the 5-2 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Hunter Shepard allowed in four goals in his Belleville debut.
Although Belleville has fallen in its first two games, there have been three players that have already made an early jump into the season.
Carter Yakemchuk
Former seventh overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft Carter Yakemchuk had his eyes set on making the Ottawa Senators' 2025 opening night roster. However, Yakemchuk has started this season in Belleville.
Against Bridgeport, Yakemchuk showed his progress with scoring his first AHL goal in his career. Yakemchuk's goal tied the game 2-2 in the final minutes of the first period.
Arthur Kaliyev
This off-season, Arthur Kaliyev joined the Senators on a one-year contract. Kaliyev had a solid start to his career with the Los Angeles Kings, but played in just 14 games for the New York Rangers last season.
Kaliyev had a strong preseason in Ottawa like Yakemchuk, but has started the season in Belleville. So far in Belleville, Kaliyev has fit in well.
Kaliyev recorded an assist in his Belleville debut last night against Lehigh Valley. Today, Kaliyev recorded another assist to have two on the season.
Stephen Halliday
Last season, Stephen Halliday was arguably Belleville's best player with leading the team with 51 points. Halliday has grown into one of the top Senators prospects.
Halliday is back in Belleville to begin the season as one of the team's best players. Through two games, Halliday has shown why.
Halliday has recorded three assists in the first two games of the season. Halliday recorded two assists in Bridgeport's loss to Bridgeport today.
In a twist, the first two goals Halliday recorded an assist on, Kaliyev recorded the other assist on the goal. Garrett Pilon recorded the other assist with Halliday on Yakemchuk's goal today.
With the progress all three players have made, there's no denying that all three could get a shot at some point to get called up to the NHL over the course of the season.
Belleville will return to action with a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday when the team plays its first two home games of the season. Saturday will be against the Toronto Marlies and Sunday will be against the Syracuse Crunch.