Drake Batherson has always wanted to visit Vegas. Now he has his opportunity. The 23-year old was named the Ottawa Senators’ All Star representative which is set for the Sin City February 4-5.
Batherson, playing in his first season of a six-year deal, will make his first of what may be many All Star appearances.
Having participated in the Northern Division, playing entirely in Canada last season, the rest of the NHL and its fans will finally see what the fans in Ottawa have already been viewing for parts of the past four campaigns as Batherson will skate for the Atlantic Division squad.
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In only his second full season, the right wing has compiled a team-leading 29 points, including 10 goals. His 19 assists also leads all Senators’ players – not to mention six multi-point games, three of which Batherson has posted four points.
“Obviously, it’s pretty cool hearing that I’ll be going to the game. Just got off the phone with my family, I know they’re super-happy for me. I can’t thank the coaching staff and the players (enough) here for putting me in that position to be able to go to a game like that. I can’t thank them enough,” said the Nova Scotia resident on TSN1200 prior to his team’s meeting with the Calgary Flames Thursday.
Known for his solid work ethic, Drake Batherson regularly trains with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand during the off-season and this past summer trained under the guidance of Toronto area Sports Performance Specialist Andy O’Brien.
“I thought I had a good summer training. I got to train with Andy O’Brien which was an eye-opener for me – a whole different style of training. I came into the season feeling really good – pretty confident coming off last season. I’ve been having fun honestly. I think that’s the biggest thing – working hard. That’s what I’ve been trying to do,” Batherson explained.
Senators’ head coach D.J. Smith spoke highly of Drake Batherson after his club’s 4-1 win at the Saddledome.
“He’s such a great kid. He loves hockey. He comes to the rink in the morning and talks about who scored in a junior game last night. You’re not going to find a kid that’s a hockey junkie like him. It’s great to see him get rewarded. He’s not a first-round pick. He’s a guy that’s been developed the right way here, and he continues to do great things. Guys love him.”
Two of those guys are Batherson’s linemates, left-wing Brady Tkachuk and centre Josh Norris.
On skating as a trio; “It’s been awesome. They’re two of my closest buddies off the ice. I hang out with them all the time. We get along really well. We’re super-competitive. We want to be good for each other, day-in, day-out, whether it’s practice or a game, we just have a blast. I think it’s the big reason why we’ve had success. We all work so hard and just have so much fun,” added Batherson.
Tkachuk, himself has an opportunity to join his linemate in Vegas being the Senators’ Last Man Standing representative, which will be decided by a fan vote.
Batherson said of his of teammate, “It will be unbelievable. He’s been to one before. If he gets selected to go to another one, it’ll be great to have him by my side., and be able to go through that together would be really fun. I’m pulling for me and hopefully, he’ll get the call for sure.”
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