Belleville Sens Draft Day Memories w/ Jan Jenik

The next wave of Senators prospects will be drafted into the organization in less than two weeks, when the National Hockey League holds the 2025 Draft on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

And with the top prospects in hockey set to make new memories, as they’re selected by NHL clubs and begin their professional careers, we checked in with some of your favourite Belleville Sens players to see what they remember most about hearing their name called on draft day.

Jan Jenik (F) – Arizona Coyotes (2018 – 3rd Rd)

The Draft Day story is a little different for forward Jan Jenik. A native of Czechia, Jenik was playing hockey as an 18-year-old in his home country and says the process leading up to the draft was quite intense, as teams tried to get to know their potential international prospect.

“There were a lot of meetings throughout the year and leading up to the draft,” Jenik said. Then, I got invited to the combine in Buffalo, and I met with 29 different teams, so I had a pretty good idea I’d get selected.”

The 2018 NHL Entry Draft was held in Dallas, Texas, and Jenik attended the event with his parents, his sister, and his agents. Being their first time in the southern United States, Jenik and family made a trip to the Hard Rock Café in the early days of their visit before settling in for the draft day festivities.

“I had a couple of teams that I thought could pick me. But I also could have gone anywhere from the second round to the fourth or fifth rounds, so it was kind of all over the map. The first day was a good show, and then the second day was going pretty fast, and I was just waiting to hear my name.”

Jenik would hear his name called by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round and the selection left him in shock.

“I didn’t see the Coyotes coming, so that was interesting, but you’re excited just to be drafted, it doesn’t really matter where. Fast-forward a few days later and I’m headed to development camp in Arizona, and I knew nothing about Arizona. I’d heard of it but never really was interested in the state or what it looks like, so when someone told me it was a dessert and hot all year, I was like ‘wow, that’s crazy!’” Jenik reminisced. “I couldn’t even figure out how they’d play hockey down there, I’m used to regular summers like in Ontario, I thought it was crazy.”

But, Jenik would settle into his new home and play 187 in Arizona, between the Coyotes and their AHL affiliate in Tucson, before being traded to the Senators in 2024. Jenik met his wife, Jenna, in Arizona as well, and now spends part of his offseason in the desert sun.

And, when it comes to advice for the next generation heading into this month’s draft, Jenik’s advice is simple.

“Just go and enjoy it,” Jenik says. “I was lucky enough to spend it with my family, so that was awesome. But, you know, if your name doesn’t go, or you don’t get drafted, it’s not the end of the world. There are so many good players that weren’t drafted and are playing in the NHL right now, so that doesn’t decide what happens or who you’re going to be. You have to stick with it.”

The Belleville Sens have announced six guaranteed dates for the upcoming 2025-26 American Hockey League season, including the 2025 Home Opener on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Fans can visit the Belleville Sens website anytime for information on season seat memberships, flex packs, and the latest happenings around the club. Details on single-game tickets and the 2025-26 American Hockey League schedule will be released in the coming weeks.

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