The Emergence of Stephen Halliday
The Ottawa Senators are possibly witnessing the emergence of a promising talent among their NHL prospects, all thanks to a recent injury to veteran player David Perron. Stephen Halliday, who was called up from the AHL’s Belleville Senators just four days ago, was given another opportunity to shine in the NHL. This season, the young forward has been inconsistent, participating in 18 games and accumulating 6 points. His most recent call-up marked the third time he has been elevated to the NHL during the current season, but this time, he has certainly made his mark.
Recent Performance
In his last three games with the Senators, Halliday has exploded offensively, scoring three goals and contributing a total of four points. His newfound offensive prowess was on full display during a recent match against the Vegas Golden Knights, where he had a standout performance with two goals and an assist in a decisive 7-1 victory for Ottawa. Unfortunately, his night was cut short due to an injury.
During the final period of the game, Halliday collided with Vegas forward Tomas Hertl, sending him crashing into the glass and stanchion at the Knights’ bench. The impact caused him to hit his head hard on the ice, and he had to be assisted off the rink, leaving fans worried about his condition.
Coach and Teammate Reactions
While head coach Travis Green did not provide an immediate update after the match, Senators’ captain Brady Tkachuk offered some reassuring news.
“I mean, he played amazing,” Tkachuk remarked. “And I just talked to him. He feels good, feels okay. So hopefully it’s nothing too severe.”
Tkachuk, who also played a crucial role in the game with three assists, praised Halliday’s development, noting that he’s becoming a more confident player with each appearance.
“He’s a player who’s gonna really help us moving forward.”
Halliday’s Journey
Halliday’s journey to this point has been quite remarkable. Despite being unselected in his first two NHL Draft attempts, the Senators picked him up in the fourth round of the 2022 Draft when he was already 20 years old. His impressive scoring record of 95 points in just 62 games during his final USHL season made him a valuable find for Ottawa. The team, under General Manager Pierre Dorion, has a history of selecting overage players or those overlooked in previous drafts, having picked players like Drake Batherson and Egor Sokolov.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 212 pounds, Halliday has consistently shown his scoring capability at various levels, including during his time at Ohio State and in Belleville. Despite initial skepticism from NHL scouts regarding his skating ability, Halliday has made significant strides since being drafted. Though his skating may not be elite, it certainly has improved since his draft day.
Looking Ahead
News from Tkachuk about Halliday’s health is encouraging, especially as the young player has proven he is more than just a temporary addition to the team. Regardless of whether the Senators make a playoff push, Halliday seems poised to become a crucial player for the franchise in the long term.
Written by Steve Warne for The Hockey News Ottawa.
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