It's been long journey to an NHL
contract for Orléans native Scott Sabourin who last week signed a two-way deal with the Ottawa Senators for a reported $700,000.
The 27-year-old came up through the Gloucester Minor Hockey Association before playing with the Ottawa Jr. 67s Minor Midget AAA team. He then spent two seasons in the CCHL with the Brockville Braves and Kanata Stallions before being picked up by the Oshawa Generals midway through the 2009-2010 season.
The 6-foot-3, 207 lb forward scored 46 goals and 33 assists in three seasons for the Generals, including 30 goals and 20 assists in his final campaign after which he signed a professional contract with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL.
In 2015-2016, he started the season with the Ontario Reign and ended it with the
Iowa Wild.
In the off season he signed a contract with the San Diego Gulls and played two seasons on the west coast before joining the Stockton Heat prior to last season.
He earned a professional tryout with the Senators largely due to his connection with the new head coach D.J. Smith who worked behind the bench for the Generals in 2014.
Sabourin is a self admitted grinder and proud of it. He isn't afraid to get into the corners and get his nose dirty. But he can sometimes fall prey to his over
enthusiasm. He was suspended by the OHL for 12 games in 2011 for checking to the head, and he was suspended by the AHL on two different occasions.
His no nonsense style and exceptional work ethic has landed him a spot on the Sens' opening season roster and he will be in the lineup when the Sens take on the
Maple Leafs on Oct. 2.
Sabourin is the third Orléans native to be under contract with the Ottawa Senators. Former Sen Cody Ceci was from the area and Corey Cowick played for the Binghamton Senators from 2010- 2014.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
Doug Feltmate:
COVID-19 pandemic the final straw for troubled restaurant industry 