For a player like Zack MacEwen, it is undoubtedly difficult to be put on waivers. Then, to have 31 teams pass on your services adds another layer of difficulty. After all, the 27-year-old winger has almost 200 NHL games under his belt and provides value and experience that most players who hit the waiver wire don’t.
Fortunately for the Belleville Senators, the extra two years on his contract was the likely deterrent for other clubs and he landed safely in the Bay of Quinte.
On processing the roster move, MacEwen’s approach is certainly one his teammates in Belleville should look to and emulate.
“The way I look at it is I get to play hockey every day for a living. It’s a great opportunity; […] all I can do is control what I can control and use it to work on my game and show them what I have to offer.”
Now that he’s cleared waivers and joined the club, Belleville has a winger added to their roster with everything you want — speed, physicality, and an NHL skillset. This was on full display at CAA Arena as Belleville hosted fans for the first time this season and MacEwen potted a pair in a 5-4 victory over Laval.
MacEwen quite literally wasted no time making an impact for the club, as he broke down the wing and found iron and twine.
MacEwen’s Belleville debut was certainly reminiscent of former Senator Michael Del Zotto, who was waived by the NHL club only to post 27 points in 26 games in the AHL. Like Del Zotto, MacEwen is clearly too good for the league. It’s hard to imagine a world where MacEwen spends the majority of the season in Belleville, but the coaching staff and fans alike will hope he stays as long as he can, as his addition rounds out a strong top-nine relative to the team’s peers in the North Division.
Outside of MacEwen, it was another Zack who performed at a high level for Saturday’s home opener. Rookie forward Zack Ostapchuk potted his first professional goal and added his first professional assist, giving him his first multi-point outing in the AHL. This is a clear trickle down effect of MacEwen’s reassignment, as the veteran forward joined Ostapchuk and Cole Reinhardt on Belleville’s third line. The three had a very strong game, as Reinhardt’s two assists brings the line’s total to three goals and three assists.
Looking forward, the Belleville Senators will remain at home for the next three games as they welcome Milwaukee (Wed., Oct. 25) and Toronto (Fri., Oct. 27 & Sat., Oct. 28) over the next five days.
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