In an effort to keep the average Sens fan up-to-date, this is the first instalment of "The road to Ottawa"
Throughout the season, I will be tracking the Sens prospects and how they are doing in their respective seasons.
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André Petersson - RW - 19 years old
Drafted: 2008 round 4 #109 overall by Ottawa Senators
Current Team - Borås - Allsvenskan (2nd highest Swedish Level)
Petersson is a one-dimensional offensive player. A magician with the puck with plenty of slick moves in his repertoire. He loves to challenge the opposing defenseman and is good one-one-one. Petersson is a natural scorer, but at the same time delivers crisp passes. The only knock here, is that he sometimes is a bit too puck happy, and should pass more. What makes him even tougher to stop, is the fact that he is an above average skater with good acceleration and agility. - Eliteprospects.com
After only tallying a single goal through 9 games to start the season (as a 3rd liner), AP was sent down a level to Borås, where he is playing top-line minutes and registered a goal in his first game.
Jakob Silfverberg - C - 19 years old
Drafted: 2009 round 2 #39 overall by Ottawa Senators
Current Team - Brynäs - Elitserien
Silfverberg is a strong skating two-way forward with good hockey sense. He is a very smart and mature player and is solid both offensively and defensively. Silfverberg has good technical skills and plays with plenty of intensity. His shot is quick, but could be more accurate and he does not really play very physical. - Eliteprospects.com
Despite his age, Silfverberg is being given every opportunity to have a key role for Brynäs. Despite playing mostly 3rd line minutes, Jakob has been given ample time on the PK and even occasional PP time.
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Robin Lehner - G - 18 years old
Drafted: 2009 round 2 #46 overall by Ottawa Senators
Current Team- Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - OHL
A butterfly goalie with excellent size and good overall skills. Uses his big frame to his advantage and challenges the shooters, although perhaps not with the desired consistency. Rebound control is somewhat suspicious, but overall mobility quite impressive for a big guy. Moves pretty well side to side and is tough to beat down low. - Eliteprospects.com
Playing for the anemic Greyhounds, Lehner has quietly posted fairly decent numbers, considering the situation. He has looked shaky at times, which is odd considering how poised he was during the NHL pre-season, but most are chalking it up to playing in front of a poor D-squad.
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Emil Sandin - C/LW - 21 years old
Drafted: 2008 round 7 #199 overall by Ottawa Senators
Current Team - Brynäs - Elitserien
Sandin is a technically skilled player that is strong on the puck. A good playmaker that is valuable on the power play unit. He has pretty quick feet and works well. Not very big, but delivers a good hit once in a while and plays with good intensity and forechecks hard. A team player. - Eliteprospects
Brynäs - Elitserien - GP:9 G:1 A:2 P:3
Sandin started the season playing on a line with other Sens prospect Jacob Silfverberg, but was quickly promoted to the second line, which has lead to a slight bump in production and an increase in responsibility. Sandin is signed with Brynäs throughout the 11/12 season, so don't expect to see him anytime soon.
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Erik Condra - RW - 23 years old
Drafted: 2006 round 7 #211 overall by Ottawa Senators
Current Team - Binghamton Senators - AHL
Erik will go as far as he wants to go this season. After 4 years of NCAA Hockey for Notre Dame, Erik finished his NCAA career with almost a PPG average and during the 07/08 season was a top candidate for the Hobey Baker award before suffering a severe knee-injury. Erik bounced back last season with 38 points in 40 games, en-route to winning the CCHA Terry Flanagan Memorial Award for perseverance and dedication.
Binghamton Senators - AHL - GP:4 G:0 A:2 P:2
Erik hasn't had any trouble adjusting from College hockey to the AHL. He has been among the stronger Bingo players and if injuries mount in Ottawa, Erik could see his first taste of the NHL this season.
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Jim O'Brien - C - 20 years old
Drafted: 2007 round 1 #29 overall by Ottawa Senators
Current Team - Binghamton Senators - AHL
After a solid showing for Bingo at the end of last season, Jim will be returning to Bingo for a full season, and will likely line-up with Erik Condra as one of the top 2 lines. Jim O'Brien looked strong in the development camp, and revealed some soft hands and a new speed during the camp. Whether he can translate all of this at the next level remains to be seen, but he projected by THN in 07 to be playing 2nd line center behind Spezza, so a strong showing at camp isn't out of the question. My only knock on Jim, is he just doesn't seem as eager or excited to make the jump to the NHL, I may just be reading too much into things or it could just be his general demeanour.
Binghamton Senators - AHL - GP:4 G:0 A:1 P:1
Jim as immediately stepped into Bingo as the primary shutdown center and likely won't be posting very flattering numbers in this role. It has been interesting to see Jim O'Brien logging the occasional defensive shift, which could go either way for him. Either the coaching staff has an immense amount of faith in his defensive play or they are dissatisfied with his offensive display so far.
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Patrick Wiercioch - D - 19 years old
Drafted: 2008 round 2 #42 overall by Ottawa Senators
Univ. of Denver - NCAA
It’s very clear from his recent interviews and his performance at the development camp that Patrick has changed his mentality about what he has to do to get to the next level, and is taking things a lot more serious. Patrick paid his way to the final few Sens games and sat with Erik Karlsson and Brian Murray. He has worked very hard to put himself on Murray's radar.
Univ. of Denver - NCAA - GP:3 G:1 A:1 P:2
Patrick has picked up where he left off last season, and is already giving teams headaches. Early reports have spoken very highly of Patrick (mind you it's only been 3 games) and you have to wonder, if Patrick can keep up his performance, whether or not Ottawa can keep him off next seasons roster.
Jared Cowen - D - 18 years old
Drafted: 2009 round 1 #9 overall by Ottawa Senators
Spokane Chiefs - WHL
Cowen is huge by junior standards and has become comfortable with imposing his size on opponents. Mobile for a player of his size, he is capable of contributing more offensively. His reach and strength enable him to dominate opponents physically in junior hockey. Spokane Chiefs management continues to marvel at Cowen’s commitment and work ethic. He has been paired with veteran Jared Spurgeon (NYI) on the Chiefs’ blueline for most of his two seasons in the WHL. - Hockeysfuture.com
Spokane Chiefs - WHL GP:5 G:2 A:4 P:6
The newly appointed captain of the Chiefs has already proven his knee is healed and that he is ready to dominate the WHL one last season. Sens fans already know Cowen was a steal pick at 9th overall, and given his short appearance during the pre-season, many noticed Cowen was already NHL ready (minus the rehabbing knee). Lee, Picard and even Campoli have to be looking over their shoulder already as they all know Cowen is taking one of their jobs next year.
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As the season continues, more players will be added, and updated as they progress.
Like the A-Train Tracks (now renamed "A-Trainwrecks") the title "The road to Ottawa" is a working title, and if fellow Sens fans don't like the name, I'm open to suggestions, as this is meant for you guys (and gals).
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