With training camp a month away, the Ottawa Senators have signed two players with meaningful ties to the city and organization.
The Sens announced on Monday they've signed defenseman Cameron Crotty to a two-year, two-way contract and re-signed forward Jan Jenik to a one-year, two-way deal. On the surface, they’re depth moves, but both players add some nice organizational depth and come with intriguing connections.
Crotty was born in Ottawa and played his minor hockey with the Gloucester Rangers before spending two seasons with the Brockville Braves of the CCHL.
Crotty was drafted 82nd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2017, then headed to Boston University, where he was teammates with Brady Tkachuk for a season. After three years as a Terrier, Crotty has carved out five seasons in the pro game. Last year, the well-spoken 26-year-old logged his second career NHL appearance with the Minnesota Wild, while serving as captain of their AHL affiliate in Iowa, a nice nod to his leadership.
Jenik is also a former Arizona draft pick, but his connections to the Senators' brass began before that. He was acquired last summer in exchange for Egor Sokolov, and Jenik's his arrival in Ottawa was no coincidence. The deal was pulled off by Steve Staios, who had once been Jenik’s GM with the Hamilton Bulldogs, a team then owned by Michael Andlauer.
In addition to Jenik's re-signing, the Steeltown nostalgia grew even stronger this offseason when Ottawa signed Arthur Kaliyev, Jenik’s former linemate with the Bulldogs. With Kaliyev also on a two-way deal, there’s a strong chance the duo will be reunited in Belleville, where their chemistry could make a big impact in the AHL.
Ottawa Senators Sign Five Players, Including Former OHL Sniper Arthur KaliyevWhen the Ottawa Senators selected Shane Pinto 32nd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, some Sens fans raised an eyebrow or two, wondering if Hamilton Bulldogs winger Arthur Kaliyev might have been the better choice. Kaliyev had just put up a 51-goal OHL season, and ended up being chosen by the LA Kings with the very next pick after Pinto.
Last season, Jenik produced 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 52 games with Belleville, finishing seventh in team scoring while also appearing in two NHL games. Crotty was a steady defensive presence on Iowa's blue line, and at 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, he not only fits Ottawa's bigger-is-better credo, but he also aligns with their motto of 'you can never have enough right-shot defensemen.'
With Lassi Thomson, Carter Yakemchuk, Max Guenette, and Djibril Toure, Belleville seemed more than set on the right side. Adding another organizational righty is perhaps another hint that Nick Jensen may not be ready to start the season.
Both Jenik and Crotty will likely begin the season in Belleville, but both will be on the bubble next month and should be top call-up candidates in the event of injury.
By Steve Warne
This article originally appeared in The Hockey News-Ottawa
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