With a very solid group of youngsters like Alex Edler, Nicklas Grossman, Jannik Hansen, Mason Raymond and of course Alex Radulov already in place Senators management felt that they didnt have to take too many risks and could move extra picks if needed to move up and draft players they thought would be sure fire BRHL players even if it meant drafting them a bit early.
"We have great depth already so I didn't feel I had to go for the homerun prospect and that we could focus on finding players that would make the BRHL for sure whether it is in role of a shutdown defenseman or simply a 4th line spark plug," said the GM just after making his last pick.
In the days leading up to the draft Ottawa had moved its first round pick to New Jersey in a blockbuster trade (a post on the main board will be made) so there first pick wasn't supposed to be until the 3rd round (76th OV), but after several small trades with Boston they ended up picking in the 2nd round (55th OV) where they drafted Daniel Rahimi a 6'3' 213 lbs defensive defenseman that at worst should be a 5th or 6th defenseman but more than likely will be a 2nd pairing defensive specialist that will be able to drop the mitts when needed.
The Sens second pick wasn't until the 4th (92nd OV) round where they selected skilled forward Juraj Simek. He put up close to a point a game in the WHL while playing for the Wheat Kings as a rookie. He is not overly physical but is not afraid of the rough stuff and has top six potential. Simek certainly has the skill to make it to the BRHL and since he won't hurt you defensively it's just a matter of what role he ends up in.
With there second pick in the 4th round (106th OV) the Sens selected over ager Mike Santorelli who stared for the University of Michigan this past year posting 47 points (including 30 goals) in 41 games. Another offensive player who loves to shoot (190 shots) and while he isn't a great puck handler he knows how to light the lamp. He certainly has top six potential and his offensive ability that will get him a look, but his defensive side still needs work although it has improved while playing for Michigan the last 3 years.
There next pick wasn't until the 6th round (159th OV) where they might of made their riskiest pick of the draft when they selected another over ager in Jason Jaffray. A late bloomer if there ever was one, but after having a great year in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose where he put up 81pts in 77 games, while adding another 13pts in 13 games in the playoffs the Senators felt he was worth the risk. He plays a strong two way game that at worst could land him a role on the 4th line but if he puts up another strong year in the AHL he could get a long look on the second line in next years training camp.
With their final two picks of the draft one in the 6th round (166th OV) and one in the 7th round (184th OV) the Sens selected two Vancouver Giants in Mario Bliznak and JD Watt. Both players are very similiar and while neither will ever be expected to be top six forwards they are both high energy players that could earn playing on the 4th or possibly even 3rd liner with their tenacious fore checking abilities. Bliznak has more offensive upside then Watt which could earn him a look on the 3rd line but is more of a gamble while Watt has the attitude that will drive him to do what ever it takes to make it to the big show.
So while the Senators certainly didn't have a draft that will turn heads they did add some very solid youngsters almost all of whom have a very good chance to make it to the BRHL one day in one role or another.
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Season 5 BRHL 1 Champion Season 1 BRHL Euro Champion Season 1 BRHL Juniors Champion
