2023 Senators EHE Draft Review
2023-09-14“A pivotal day in the overhaul process of the Ottawa Senators.”
Quality, quantity, and upside were the trademarks of the Senators 2023 EHE Draft class. Ottawa's bevy of draft choices include two picks in the top five, three in the top 8, four in the top 12, and 6 in the top 37. “Best player available” regardless of position was the mantra. The Sens took 3 centers in the top 8 and 5 of their 8 selections were forwards.
Ottawa's GM was thrilled with the way things played out.
“No lists are made equal and I embrace the subjective nature of evaluating the draft. That being said, we walked away with our #2 and #3 ranked players and four guys in our top 10. Coming in, I felt there were at least 4 blue chip potential #1 centres at the top of this draft. We came away with 3 of those guys in Fantilli, Smith and Dvorsky." Said Ottawa's GM.
"We were fortunate to snag our top-rated defenseman and goaltender of this class in Sandin-Pellikka and Fowler. Halttunen Cagnoni and Ciernik were good value picks with high upside, who we had rated a lot higher than where we landed them. Overall, a great day for the future of the Ottawa Senators. We are excited to track these kids moving forward." Added the Sens GM.
Now, we breakdown the 8 selections made by the Senators with quotes from the GM.
2023 MIN 1st - #2 - Adam Fantilli
Hobey Baker winner, Clark Cup MVP, Big 10 Final MVP, World Junior, and World Chamipionship Gold Medal winner. Top goal scorer in both the NCAA and USHL. The growing list of Adam Fantilli accolades were just too much to ignore. The 6 ft 2 Canadian is a skilled, dual-threat center, who plays with skill and pace. Fantilli projects to be EHE eligible by 2024-2025.
Quote from the GM:
"Adam is a pivotal piece in our rebuild. His ultimate upside is in his own hands, but the sky is the limit. He's a gamer and he showed up in multiple big games this season. The best illustration of his potential is the combination of his dog-mentality, with the skill, skating, power and hockey sense. That kind of package is difficult to find."
2023 OTT 1st - #5 - Will Smith
Second in all-time U.S. National Team Development Program points to none other than Jack Hughes. The 6 Ft center racked up 127 points in 60 games with the USNDTP. Not to mention, 20 points in 7 games enroute to a gold medal at the U18 World Championships (1 point shy of the all-time single tournament record by Nikita Kucherov). Smith projects as a dynamic point-producing top line forward.
Quote from the GM:
"We had Will as our #3 ranked player by a thin margin. I heard from at least two GMs who would of taken him #2. We had serious trade talks in place to move back, provided he had been gone by pick #5. I love his confidence. The hands, vision and offensive awareness are special. He's right up there in the conversation for best in the draft in those three categories."
2023 ARI 1st - #8 - Dalibor Dvorsky
The 6 ft 1 Slovakian born center has excelled internationally. In 5 games at the 2021-2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Dvorsky notched 8 goals and 12 points in just 5 games. He followed that up with an oustanding 2022-2023 U18 Worlds, piling up 8 goals and 13 points in 7 games, while earning MVP consideration. Dvorsky’s calling cards are his elite puck protection skills and elusiveness, combined with a high hockey IQ.
Quote from the GM:
"I saw his round robin game against Canada at the U18's where he played 25:24, won 74 percent of his draws, scored 4 goals and an assist. He had 12 controlled zone entries and 166 puck touches in the overtime win. I think there’s way more offense than publicly perceived. Against his peers, the numbers are always top notch. If Dvorsky played CHL, I think he’d of scored 90-100 points.
STL 1st - #12 - Axel Sandin-Pellkka
The smooth-skating Swede put up 11 points in 7 games at the U18 Worlds (tied for 6th all time), where he was named top Defenseman. Sandin-Pellika just the 3rd U18 defender in the last decade to crack the Swedish World Junior Roster, were he logged significant minutes. Sandin-Pellikka’s numbers in the J20 league (16G 20A & 36PTS) are good for tops all time among U18 defenders with more than 20 GP, in both goals, and points per game.
Quote from the GM:
"ASP is a player I've seen plenty of and really coveted. The skating, smarts, vision and puck skills are some of the best I have seen from a defenseman in recent years. He was a top 10 player for us all year long. He has the skating and hands to make jaw-dropping plays and transport pucks with ease. I believe he could be special and I can't wait to see how he develops."
2023 OTT 2nd - #35 - Jacob Fowler
Fowler's impressive list of draft eligible season honours included WJAC Champion, Clark Cup Champion, Clark Cup MVP, and USHL Goalie of the year. The 6 ft 2 Florida-born netminder is part of arguably the best recruitment class in the NCAA this year at Boston College, alongside fellow Sens prospect WIll Smith. Fowler projects as likely bet to make the 2024 U.S. World Junior squad and fight for the starting role.
Quote from the GM:
"This kid is a winner and his success comes as no surprise once you hear him speak. The mental aspect is integral to Goaltending and I think he's a different breed in that category. He went 8-1 in the Clark Cup playoffs with a .952 SV%, where the Chicago Steel were a heavy favorite over his team in Youngstown. I am excited about him going to Boston College and having a chance to win a National Title."
2023 VGK 2nd - #37 - Kasper Halttunen
6 ft 3 Finnish winger captained his nation at the U18 Worlds, where he had 6 goals and 10 points in 5 games. Halttunen is set to join the OHL's illustrious London Knights this coming season. Knights Assistant GM Rob Simpson called Halttunen "A goal-scoring power forward who brings elite skill to our lineup". The big Finn also piled up 18 goals in 18 games at the U20 level in Finland while splitting time in the Liiga and Mestis.
Quote from the GM:
"We had him ranked in our first round. When Kasper was confirmed to join London, it really cemented our confidence in his development. I think he's going to score a lot of goals in the OHL and I am looking forward to seeing him play a big role for Finland at the WJC. He has a lot of tools with his size and skill but his shot is certainly his strongest asset. If he gets quicker, look out."
2023 FLA 2nd - #64 - Luca Cagnoni
The undersized offensive defender was nabbed with the last pick of the 2nd round. Cagnoni turned heads with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks this season, posting 17 goals and 64 points 67 games this season. The BC native finished 4th among U19 WHL defenseman in points, and third in goals. Cagnoni was the only 2004 born defender invited to Canada's recent World Junior Summer Showcase.
Quote from the GM:
"Stood out to me at the CHL prospects game, and obviously throughout the season with Portland. Reminds me a bit of Zellweger in his draft year just the way his skating and skill really jump out at you. The fact he was the only draft eligible defender invited to Canada's WJC summer showcase is a testament to his abilities. He could put up some gaudy numbers this season in the WHL. A dynamic offensive defenseman."
2023 LAK 3rd - #85 - Alex Ciernik
Speedy and skilled Slovak winger put up 7 points in 5 games at the 2021-2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Ciernik spent the majority of the season in the Allsvensken against men, where he notched 12 points in 25 games. The 5 ft 10 forward also played as an underager for Slovakia at the 2023 WJC, nothing 3 points in 5 games.
Quote from the GM:
"A player I always saw as a 2nd round talent. The Allsvensken doesn't get enough credit for being a difficult league for U20 players. Here's another kid who I think would be a top scorer if he were playing in the CHL. I am excited to see him at the 2024 WJC as a returnee. He was dynamic at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup as one of the younger guys on that squad in 2021-2022."
That concludes Ottawa's 2023 Draft Review. Cheers to the league for hosting another successful EHE Draft and best of luck to all EHE clubs with the development of their draft picks.
That......is one hell of a draft. Wow.
2023 Senators EHE Draft Review
"Pivotal" day in Ottawa's rebuild as Sens make 8 picks, including 4 in the top 12.
