The Ottawa Senators will be relying on their goaltenders for the 2025-26 season led by Linus Ullmark. With Anton Forsberg signing a two-year contract to play for the Los Angeles Kings back on July 1, Leevi Merilainen can be ready to show his potential and be Ullmark's backup after re-signing to a one-year contract.
Meanwhile for Ottawa's AHL affiliate the Belleville Senators, they will be looking to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs after missing out in 2025.
Even with veteran Malcolm Subban having a steady 2024-25 season in Belleville, he didn't return and 29-year-old goaltender Hunter Shepard signed a one-year contract to join the team. For the 2025-26 season, three goaltenders will be battling for playing time in Belleville, and Shepard will be one of them.
Shepard will need a bounce back season in the AHL
Shepard has only played in five NHL games with the Washington Capitals. For the 2024-25 season, Shephard's one and only start went ugly when he allowed in seven goals in a loss.
Shepard spent nearly the entire 2024-25 season in the AHL with the Capitals' AHL affiliate Hershey Bears. In Hershey, Shepard recorded a 23-11-4 record with a 2.80 goals against average and .891 save percentage. Shepard's 23 wins helped him earn his third consecutive 20-win season.
With Shepard, Hershey made the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, but were eliminated from the playoffs in efforts to winning their third consecutive Calder Cup. In the 2025 playoffs, Shepard went 2-5 with a 2.80 goals against average and .893 save percentage.
Shepard was Hershey's number one goaltender in 2023 and 2024 when the team won back-to-back Calder Cups. However, 2025 was a playoff struggle for Shepard.
Even with Shepard having a down year in 2024-25, he can still bring in solid experience with having winning back-to-back Calder Cups at one point in his career.
In his AHL career with playing in 118 games, Shepard has recorded a 78-26-12 record with a 2.22 goals against average and .914 save percentage. Solid numbers for an AHL goaltender.
There will be competition in Belleville between its three goaltenders. Jackson Parsons and Mads Sogaard will be two other goaltenders desperate to stand out to be the number one goaltender in Belleville along with Shepard.
However, Shepard has a fresh start and solid AHL experience to bring to Belleville for the 2025-26 season.