The Ottawa Senators already have an exciting group of young players and today they are adding to that mix. Jacob Bernard-Docker has signed his entry-level contract, ending his college career. Following his seven-day quarantine, the young defenseman will report directly to the Senators. GM Pierre Dorion released a short statement about his newest player:
"Jacob represents another key component of our future. He’s very mature for his age and already possesses great gap and stick detail within his game. He’s an exemplary leader and a winner who we’re looking forward to seeing in our lineup."
Bernard-Docker, 20, recently finished his junior season at the University of North Dakota. Signing his three-year entry-level deal means he will abandon his senior season and become a professional, burning the first season of the deal in 2020-21.
Selected 26th overall in 2018, Bernard-Docker isn’t made from the same stuff as so many other highly drafted defensemen. Though his offensive game is fine, and resulted in strong numbers at UND, it is the way he controls a game defensively that will be his calling card at the next level. The winner of the NCHC Best Defensive Defenseman this season, he has shown an elite shutdown ability at the college and international level, using his mobility and a lightning-fast stick to disrupt rushes. Once he does win the puck back, Bernard-Docker is a talented escape artist, quickly moving it out of danger and up to his forwards.
In a perfect world, the right-handed defenseman will become the natural partner for Thomas Chabot, creating an elite pairing for the Senators in the coming years. Expecting that down the stretch might be pushing it, but it does sound like Bernard-Docker will be making his NHL debut fairly soon.
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