Zack Ostapchuk won back-to-back gold medals as a member of Canada’s World Junior team in 2022 and ’23, but when he said his NHL debut Tuesday evening “was the coolest night in my life” during a postgame scrum, one could get a sense he truly meant it.
Recalled from Belleville, the Ottawa Senators’ American League affiliate, due to an injury to centre Rourke Chartier and forward Parker Kelly serving the second of his two-game suspension, Ostapchuk left any rookie nerves by the wayside. He performed like a veteran player in the Senators’ 2-1 thrilling extra-time victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, coincidentally his favourite team while growing up in Edmonton.
Ostapchuk played 12:44, registering one shot on goal, that shot being a quick wrister which forced Penguins’ netminder Tristan Jarry to make a stellar glove stop. It was also Ostapchuk’s defensive play of batting down the puck before it could land on his hockey idol, Sidney Crosby‘s stick in overtime which led to the rush by Jake Sanderson prior to Drake Batherson potting the eventual game-winning marker.
Only two-plus months shy of his 21st birthday, Ostapchuk displayed the wherewithal to remain onside while exiting the surface to the Senators’ bench, permitting Tim Stützle to jump onto the ice and feed Batherson for his shot.
Senators’ interim head coach Jacques Martin, who’s viewed more than his fair share of NHL debuts, was impressed by Ostapchuk’s performance.
Martin told Full Press Hockey, “I was impressed how he played, how he’s composed. What I like is the strength. You know he’s got good size. He uses his body to protect the puck, wins battles. A good example in overtime when on the shift, he won the battle along the wall, got the puck out. I think he has a good hockey IQ.”
Giving a rookie a shift in overtime, especially in his NHL debut is heady praise in itself. Martin rewarding Ostapchuk in that moment wasn’t lost on him.
“I was a little surprised when they gave me a tap and said you’re going, and then I saw Crosby out there – heart beating a little bit. I mean, yeah, but it was I’m very thankful that they trusted me to go out there. It’s a good experience.” Ostapchuk noted.
The evening, on the whole, is something the former Western League Vancouver Giants’ captain will always relish.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s everything you could ever dream of. Go out there, big crowd and warmups, it was a pretty cool lap for me, so very thankful for the experience. I think obviously getting the win too. You leave leave the rink with with a good taste in your mouth and everybody’s happy, so I think that’s big too. And, obviously I’m gonna remember this for the rest of my life.”
Fresh off a two-assist outing Saturday in Utica, boosting the Senators 2021 39th overall draft selection to 13 goals and nine assists in 56 games this season, Belleville Senators head coach David Bell commented this of Ostapchuk, “I think that’s what he’s done all year. The bigger the game, he’s rose to the occasion, and I thought tonight at moments, he took the game over. Even at the end of the game, when we were looking for goals, he was demonstrative and took pucks into their zone. He’s a special player.”
Bell added Wednesday morning, “He more than deserved the recall. He’s been our best player on multiple nights, we’ve talked about how good he’s been. He’s zero maintenance as a player for a coach, he just works his butt off every day at practice and in the gym. I had to go find him in the gym to tell him he was recalled.”
Having watched Ostapchuk’s game Wednesday, Bell knows the freshman centre is just getting started.
“I think he’s just getting used to playing against men. He’s a big body and doesn’t realize how big and strong he is. It can be intimidating when you go out there against men and I think he’s learned that he’s just as strong and it was exciting to watch…I thought he was outstanding, but I’m not surprised. In big games, he steps up, and that’s probably the biggest of his career, and he was up to the task.”
At six-four, 205 pounds, Ostapchuk is an integral part of the Belleville lineup vying to snag a playoff berth. Three teams are separated by four points in the AHL North Division race. One of Rochester (64 points), Belleville (64 points) Toronto (61 points), Laval (60 points) will be on the outside looking in at season’s end. The Marlies possess two games in hand, with the Rocket playing one more game than the Senators and Americans.
It was not only special for Ostapchuk, but it was also special for his mother, Charlene, who travelled from their hometown of Vancouver to witness his exciting moment along with several friends and other family members.
In an interview with TSN’s Claire Hanna, Charlene opened up, sharing her emotions about her journey with her son.
“This is his dream. This is what it’s all about. All those early mornings – he just loves the game. It’s his passion. We’re happy to be a part of Ottawa for this experience….It’s been a journey for us. he lost his dad at an early age (14), but I know he’s here. I can feel him here. We got a lot of support. It’s all I can say. I’m going to cry.”
Of note, special thanks to Belleville Senators Manager of Broadcast and Communications David Foot for assisting with files from David Bell.
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