As the team moves closer to a second-straight berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Ottawa Senators have signed a big body that could play a big part in their team for years to come.
Barrie Colts defenceman Gabriel Eliasson inked a three-year, entry-level deal with the NHL team on Wednesday, which is set to start next season.
The 19-year-old from Kungsbacka, Sweden, had two goals, six assists and an OHL-leading 122 penalty minutes in 61 regular-season games this season.
“Gabriel’s game has matured since we drafted him,” Senators general manager Steve Staios said to NHL.com. “We’ve been pleased with his development and his character and work ethic fit in perfectly with the team we’re building.”
He will play in his second straight OHL post-season when the Colts begin a first-round series with the Niagara IceDogs on Thursday.
The six-foot-seven, 213-pound defender was selected by the Senators in the second round, 39th overall, of the 2024 NHL draft, later representing the team at the 2024 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, N.Y.
