Day 2 Selections
39th overall- Zack Ostapchuk, Centre, WHL
49th overall- Ben Roger, Defenceman, OHL
74th overall- Oliver Johansson, LW, SHL
123rd overall- Carson Latimer, RW, WHL
202nd overall- Chandler Romeo, D, GOJHL
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For the Ottawa Senators, the Entry Draft has become one of the most important days on the calendar.
And while it’s been nice to watch the organization stock up on high-end talent through the Draft, I think we’re all looking forward to a day when the team is selecting much later in the Draft. But for now, another top ten pick sounds just fine.
With the 10th overall pick in the 2021 Entry Draft, the Ottawa Senators selected Tyler Boucher.
Off the board is one way to describe it. In fact, anyone that says they had a feeling this might be the guy the Sens liked at 10th overall is a liar. Or is Trent Mann. Based on Tyler Boucher’s reaction, I’m not even sure he saw this one coming.
Boucher came into the evening as a late-first rounder in the minds of many but obviously the Senators felt like they had to make a move much earlier.
As is tradition this time of year, many internet experts hated the pick. As is also tradition, those same internet experts will begin back-pedalling a few months from now.
Trent Mann and his staff have done a hell of a job building through the Draft and have earned a bit of a trust and respect when it comes to their selections. And while it’s easy to suggest trading back may have been the play in this instance, there is a risk that comes with assuming you can get your guy later. Especially this year. Ultimately you have to make sure you get the guy your scouts love.
So who is Tyler Boucher? A winger, Boucher is the son of former-NHL goaltender Brian Boucher.
And by all accounts, he’s a tank. As in, the most physical player in the draft. It’s the first thing mentioned in just about every review of his game. But if you keep reading, you’ll also see words like “great skater”, “sneaky shot” and “good play-maker” mixed in there too. Certainly an intriguing skill set if he can put it all together.
Boucher is committed to play at Boston University next season although interestingly enough, the Ottawa 67’s hold his OHL rights should he decide to go the Junior route.
The Ottawa Senators hold five picks heading into Day 2 of the Draft including two 2nd rounders (39th and 42nd) a 3rd rounder (74th), a 6th rounder (170th) and a final pick in Round 7 (202nd).
Although both Pierre Dorion and Trent Mann hinted that one of those 2nd round picks could be on the move tomorrow.
