An Eventful Day for the Ottawa Senators – Boucher Signs, Murray Returns and More

The Ottawa Senators’ current schedule is in a state of flux hour by hour it seems, but the club continues to make news off the ice.

Senators sign 2021 First Round Selection Tyler Boucher

The team made a surprise announcement Tuesday morning via media release, they had inked 2021 10th overall Entry Draft selection Tyler Boucher to an entry-level contract.

Boucher made the tough decision to leave Boston University after only one semester. Turning 19, January 16, Boucher recorded three points (two goals, one assist) while compiling 34 penalty minutes in 17 games for the Terriers.

Senators’ general manager Pierre Dorion noted a major reason for Boucher leaving the University was due to a lack of playing time, which wasn’t conducive for his development. Dorion mentioned the majority of key situation play and special teams units are usually reserved for “sophomores, juniors, seniors,” via a noon Zoom call.

The Haddonfield, NJ native expressed his concerns to Dorion and members of the Senators’ hockey operations staff.

One major bonus for Ottawa area hockey fans and the Senators’ hierarchy is they’ll be able to keep close tabs on Boucher as he’ll likely be suiting up with Ontario League 67’s. The Ottawa 67’s hold the junior rights to Boucher after selecting him in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in 2019.

“Through the first half of the year, myself, other members of our hockey staff had conversations with Tyler. Obviously, things weren’t going the way he thought the direction should go with Boston University. It’s a good program. They’ve developed a lot of good players,” Dorion explained.

“Having a chance to watch quite a few of his games, and after one weekend, Tyler and I had a conversation with (player development coach) Shean Donovan, he was pondering on leaving. We told him whatever decision he would make, we would respect. It was very important for us. Early December, I ended up talking with his agent (Jerry Buckley), his family advisor at the time. They just felt probably going the 67’s route was the best option. I ended up talking to (general manager) James Boyd of the 67’s, and with the coach of the calibre of Dave Cameron, we just felt this was the best route we to go.”

The Senators’ GM can hardly wait to follow the power forward’s development path with the 67’s.

“There’s no lingering concerns on our part. We know Tyler Boucher is the player you want when you’re playing playoff games. Tyler Boucher is a player who wants to win. He’s a physical player, has a big shot, drives inside. He’s someone who plays a power forward game that you want on your team. We’re not going to look back to what has happened the past few months, but having him join the 67’s is something we’re really excited about.”

It’s unknown at this point where Boucher will actually land first. For roster implications, he’s going to be assigned to Belleville for the time being, though the intention for Boucher is to not actually suit for the Senators’ American League affiliate.

The 67’s are currently in shut-down mode awaiting restart.

Boucher is himself shut down due to a positive Covid test prior to heading to Ottawa. He will not be permitted into Canada prior to January 6.

Matt Murray Returns

After clearing waivers November 29 and being assigned to Belleville, Murray appeared in only two games mainly due to an ongoing Covid situation with the BSens – stopping 61 of 66 shots faced.

With fellow goalie Anton Forsberg still in Covid-19 Protocol deemed to be a close contact with a person with the coronavirus and Filip Gustavsson returning from his illness Wednesday, Murray looks to be the Senators’ de facto starter when they face the Maple Leafs in Toronto on New Year’s Day – no not New Year’s Eve versus his former club, Pittsburgh, more on this to follow.

The 27-year old possesses an 0-5-0 record this season and desperately needs to get his game on track.

Senators’ head coach D.J. Smith added post-practice, “We just want him to get back to doing what he does. And I think sometimes a mental break is better than anything – just to get a restart or refresh, the team will be playing better in front of him. We have to limit the chances and set him up for success – so playing better in front of him. He’s going to get a couple of days of practice here and he’ll be ready.”

Murray who’s known for his even-keel demeanour just wants to take back the crease and get going.

“We all have a common goal here, and that’s to win a hockey game. It’s my job to keep the puck out of the net. I don’t have much control about other stuff. They tell me I’m going to Belleville, I go to Belleville. You’ve got to take it in stride,” said the netminder during his media availability.

One bonus during his short tenure in Belleville was Murray reuniting with his old friend, turned goalie coach, Justin Peters.

“I have a really good relationship with “Petey” going back to when I was like 15, I think. We used to skate together. We had the same goalie coach, so I know “Petey” really well. We had a blast. We had lots of talks about things, obviously goaltending included. “Petey” was awesome to work with. He was a pleasure to work with. I can’t say enough good things about him as a coach, as a person. I’m really thankful to have the time to spend with him.”

The team also had a good news/bad news kind of day.

The good; the return of Smith and video coach Mike King from Covid-19 Protocol. Smith mentioned he had a head cold for a couple of days and lost his voice.

The bad; the NHL postponed the Senators’ New Year’s Eve matinee with the Penguins. The team hasn’t played since December 18, and won’t until January 1. The Senators have played only nine games during the month of December, posting a 5-3-1 mark.

The Senators’ home date with the Minnesota Wild next Monday is still on the schedule for now. The way it’s going, the club will have a long homestand in February as there are seven home and one away game to make up.

What is known; the Senators will hit the road for a five-game Western Canada swing which opens in US Northwest with a pit stop in Seattle January 6. In fact their following eight of nine games post-January 3 are away from the Canadian Tire Centre.

With this in mind, Full Press Hockey asked Pierre Dorion for an update on the Senator’s taxi squad situation.

Dorion told FP Hockey, “The taxi squad is not mandatory. Obviously, we will have players on our taxi squad, especially when we go on our trip to Seattle and Western Canada. We might not have six (players) at all times. We’re going to evaluate the situation once we know when we play again, we’ll have some players on the taxi squad. But with the proximity of Belleville, it’s not something that’s a necessity for us at all times.”