The Ottawa Jr Senators went into the trade deadline as one of the top defensive teams in the league. Having allowed just 82 goals against in 32 games made Ottawa one of four teams to allow fewer than 100 goals as of Jan 10. The question was, could they score? GM Pat McCallen made several moves at the deadline, including a blockbuster three-team trade with the Nepean Raiders and Hawkesbury Hawks in the hope of acquiring the necessary scoring.
To start, Ottawa sent 2006-born defender Merlin Offman to the Hawks in exchange for the rights to 2009-born forward Cameron Sheppard, 2007-born defender Maxim Leblanc, a player development fee and a 2026 ninth-round pick.
The second part of the deal sent 2007-born forward Ben Kozyra, 2007-born goaltender Evan Grant, Leblanc and a PDF to Nepean in exchange for 2005-born forwards Raphael Tellier and Carter Williamson.
Williamson and Tellier were two of the top-five scorers in Nepean. Combined, the pair scored a total of 25 goals and 52 assists in just over 30 games played.
In their first three games with Ottawa, the pair delivered on the scoring front. Tellier’s three points consist of a goal and two assists, while Williamson scored a pair of goals and added two helpers. The team is 2-1 with the pair in the lineup.
Ottawa also acquired a pair of goaltenders from outside the CCHL at the deadline.
The team brought in Nicolas Morvan from the North York Rangers of the OJHL in exchange for a PDF. In his first three games with the Jr Senators, Morvan is 2-0-1 with a 1.65 goals against average and a .936 save percentage.
The second goalie is Connor Johnson, formerly of the Olds Grizzlys in the AJHL. He has yet to play a game for Ottawa.
With all the new incoming players, there were a few players who were moved on to organizations.
Team captain Xavier Guillemette was sent to Campbelltown in the MHL in exchange for a player development fee. A second trade sent Dax Kenney to Pembroke in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
The Jr Senators wish all our departing players the best on their new teams.
Later today, the Jr Senators host the Smiths Falls Bears, another team that loaded up at the deadline, for a clash between two of the top teams in the CCHL.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 inside the Kim Durrell arena.
