Alumni Watch: Belleville Sens blueliners see NHL time in Ottawa

Since the franchise’s inauguration in 2017, the Belleville Senators have seen over 50 graduates appear in the National Hockey League with the Ottawa Senators. We take a look at some of the recent grads who are making significant impacts this season in our second Alumni Report.

Jacob Bernard-Docker

Season totals: 8GP / 0G / 1A / 4PIM / +1

Bernard-Docker has earned multiple recalls with his strong defensive play this season and has appeared in eight NHL games. He recorded his first career point on Nov. 13 versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 2018 first-round selection (26th overall) is currently in his first full professional season. (Note: reassigned to Belleville on 1/24/22)

Erik Brannstrom

Season totals: 9GP / 0G / 1A / 6PIM / -5

Since returning from a broken hand on New Year’s Day, Brannstrom has become regular and continues to impress head coach D.J. Smith. The 22-year-old had previously spent parts of four seasons working on his game in the Friendly City, where he registered 35 points in 49 games.

"I need to keep going and take my game to the next level."

Erik Brannstrom is feeling, and looking, confident #GoSensGo

📝 https://t.co/zDzsdivvXz pic.twitter.com/22joe4iBkn

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) January 22, 2022

Thomas Chabot

Season totals: 36GP / 2G / 18A / 14PIM / +1

A mainstay on the blueline, Chabot has appeared in all 36 games this season, leading the team in ice time, logging over 26 minutes a game. The native of Sainte-Marie, Quebec, skated in 13 games with the AHL Senators before jumping to the NHL full-time.

Alex Formenton

Season totals: 33GP / 8G / 10A / 21PIM / -1

Formenton has become a regular on the scoresheet with 15 points in his last 16 appearances; the speedster’s strong play has earned him a top-six role. His two short-handed markers lead Ottawa. A key member of the 2019-20 Belleville Senators, he helped the team amass a league-leading 234 goals.

Dillon Heatherington

Season totals: 9GP / 0G / 0A / 7PIM / -1

Currently, on the Senators’ taxi squad, Heatherington has provided quality depth. A prominent figure with the B-Sens, the alternate captain, tops all defencemen with a plus-7 rating in 18 games in Belleville.

 Lassi Thomson

Season totals: 13GP / 0G / 4A / 2PIM / -8

When the Ottawa Senators selected Thomson with the 19th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, they likely envisioned his performance on Tuesday (Jan. 25), when he earned an assist and a plus-4 rating in a 5-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

The 21-year-old rearguard has collected eight points (5G, 3A) in 15 AHL games this season. His three power-play tallies pace Belleville.

"It's a huge opportunity every time I get called up."

More from Lassi Thomson ⬇️ #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/3cckS3Kzzd

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) January 25, 2022

*Stats updated as of Jan. 25, 2022*

(Submitted by: Joel Vanderlaan / @JoelVanderlaan)