Game Day Build-Up: B-Sens welcome Rocket to begin 2024 preseason

Belleville Senators Game Day Build-Up (Preseason)
Oct.4/24 vs Laval Rocket (NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens)

The Set Up:

They’re the words Belleville Sens fans have been waiting four months to hear – “Hockey is finally back at CAA Arena”. The B-Sens begin their short American Hockey League preseason schedule tonight, welcoming the Laval Rocket (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) to the Friendly City. It’s the first of two tune-up contests for the B-Sens, who will also welcome the provincial rival Toronto Marlies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) on Sunday. Belleville’s camp roster earlier in the week was up to 30 players, including 14 who suited up for the club in at least one game last season, as well as 10 rookies who are hoping to get noticed and find some playing time in the AHL this season. While the game won’t count in the standings, it certainly matters, as this will be the first opportunity for Head Coach Dave Bell and his new staff to evaluate their roster.

Previous History:

The Senators and Rocket have had quite the battle since joining the American Hockey League in the 2017-18 season, including in 2023-24, when Belleville skated to a 6-5-1-0 record against the Rocket. The B-Sens hold a lifetime record against Laval of 44-32-2-3, with a 23-13-1-3 mark all-time at home.

Roster Notes:

While the AHL Senators have two preseason games, the parent NHL club in Ottawa also has two games left in their exhibition slate. Because of that, and the physical nature of this year’s NHL preseason, Ottawa recalled seven players from Belleville’s training camp yesterday. Forwards Tyler Boucher, Angus Crookshank, Stephen Halliday, Cole Reinhardt, Filip Roos and Donovan Sebrango were all recalled to Ottawa and will not be available for Belleville tonight. Given the fluid nature of preseason rosters, full lineup details will be available at game time.

Who to Watch:

With many of the returning B-Sens recalled to the NHL preseason, tonight’s game will give some of the newer faces to Belleville a chance to shine. Sens fans will likely get their first look at forward Xavier Bourgault, who was selected in the first round of the NHL draft by Edmonton in 2021 and was part of the return in a summer trade for Roby Jarventie and is looking for a fresh start after a couple of seasons in the Oilers organization. Rookie defencemen Jorian Donovan, Djibril Toure, and Tomas Hamara should see action this weekend as well, as they enter their first full professional campaigns.

The key figure on the Laval roster tonight for local fans, should he dress, is forward Owen Beck. The 20-year-old from Port Hope played his minor hockey with the Quinte Red Devils and was selected by Montreal in the second round of the 2022 NHL draft. Beck, like Belleville defender Jorian Donovan, is coming off a final junior season that saw him win a Memorial Cup with the Saginaw Spirit and an IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal with Team Canada.

At the Rink:

CAA Arena Gates are set to open at 6:00 p.m., with all concessions and the Belleville Sens Locker Room Store all open for fans to enjoy this weekend. Fans can also test out the B-Sens’ new In-Arena Audio program this weekend as well, by bringing their FM radio receiver to the rink or signing one out from guest services.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for tonight’s preseason matchup between Belleville and Laval, other preseason games this weekend, and all games through the first half of the 2024-25 Belleville Sens season are now on sale via Ticketmaster, by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com, or at the Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena during select hours.

Fans looking to get a head start on locking up tickets for any game on the schedule can do so now by becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or putting down a deposit for a group experience. More information on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages is available by visiting the Belleville Sens website or emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com.

Follow the Action:

Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. and can be seen on AHLTV on FloHockey, or heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network, with pregame coverage on both platforms beginning at 6:50 p.m., with David Foot and Brock Ormond, from CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario.

The full Belleville Sens 2024-25 regular season schedule is available by clicking here. 

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