“A Dream Come True” For Senators No.1 Pick Logan Hensler

Ottawa Senators head amateur scout Don Boyd said Wednesday that “Hope springs eternal” when it comes to selecting their first pick.

General manager Steve Staios mentioned that if there were a possibility of adding an asset, his club would trade back, and this came to fruition. The Senators swapped their 21st overall selection to the Nashville Predators in exchange for the 23rd and 67th picks, giving the team two third-round selections.

And with that 23rd pick, the Senators chose right-shot defenseman Logan Hensler, who completed his freshman season at the University of Wisconsin.

At six feet three, 198 pounds, Hensler is known as a rangy, mobile defenseman whose strength lies in keeping opposing forwards to the outside.

In 32 games last season, the native of Woodbury, MN, registered two goals and 10 assists. Hensler added one assist in seven games, earning World Junior Gold for the United States in Ottawa.

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Upon selecting Hensler, Boyd noted that the Senators were impressed with his development while in the US National Program, where the 18-year-old displayed offensive upside.

“He came into Wisconsin, he’s changed his game a little bit. He continues to grow. The fact of the matter is that he’s a right-handed shot, that he’s a real good skater and can move pucks. And we have to have that kind of skill to get the puck out of our end. He closes defensively. He can meet the rush and stop it. He can go back and get pucks very quickly, turn and move it up ice.” noted Boyd.

Boyd added that Hensler was part of a rebuilding Badger squad last season and may have “struggled a little bit.” However, “We’ve known him for a long time at a high level of competition.”

The Senators head amateur scout expects significant growth next season as “his coaches say he’s going to get a lot of ice time.”

Logan Hensler on being drafted “was a dream come true. I’m happy to be going to a great organization and I’m excited to get started. I’m happy where I landed…That Gold Medal was something I’ll never forget. Hopefully, I’ll keep that rolling when I get in that building. It’s pretty special.”