The Ottawa Senators are once again turning to Belleville for help.
This morning, the team announced that they have recalled forward Rudolfs Balcers from the America Hockey League. Jack Rodewald was returned to the minor league team.
Balcers, who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks in the Erik Karlsson trade, has been one of the most consistent forwards in Belleville this year. Through 36 games, he has racked up 14 goals and 26 points, a team-high in both categories.
At just 21 years of age, Balcers has already proven that he can produce offence at the professional level. He led the San Jose Barracuda in goal scoring as a rookie last year and has picked up where he left of with the BSens. Now we’ll finally have a chance to see how his game translates at the NHL level.
Rudolfs Balcers 🚨🚨
After a 2-goal Saturday night, Balcers has 3G in 3GP to kick off his time with Belleville. Looks like his 23G as an AHL rookie last season wasn’t any fluke. pic.twitter.com/Q0z6BfN1rs
— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) October 14, 2018
For those that haven’t seen him play, you can read a few different scouting reports here.
He’s a player with good offensive instincts, a good shot and strong play-making ability. Goes without saying but if he is going to have a real opportunity to succeed, it will be important that he has a chance to play with other offensive guys.
We’ll see if Boucher gives him that opportunity tomorrow afternoon against the Carolina Hurricanes. Here is how they are lined up at today’s practice.
Dzingel-Duchene-Ryan
Tkachuk-White-Stone
Smith-Pageau-Boedker
Paajarvi-Tierney-Balcers
Paul
