Ottawa Senators sign rookie Rockets d-man

| July 15, 2019 in Sports

Local Community Advertising

A rookie defenceman to the Kelowna Rockets franchise signed off on a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators after selecting him in the first round of the 2019 WHL draft. 

Lassi Thomson, who joined the Rockets last season as the 53rd overall pick in the 2018 CHL import draft, is set to head to the nation's capital when he begins his NHL career, the Senators announced on Monday.

The 18-year-old Finnish defenceman was picked 19th overall in the 2019 NHL draft in Vancouver last month and joined the rest of the 2019 draft class on the ice during the team's development camp which concluded on June 30. 

"Lassi has great offensive instincts and an NHL-calibre shot," said general manager Pierre Dorion.

"He also brings a high compete level - he's always moving his feet and driving the pace of play. We came away from development camp in Ottawa very impressed and feel that he is going to be an important piece of our team's future."

Thomson was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Year this past regular season with the Rockets, collecting 41 points in his 63 games played and landing him fifth overall on the league's rookie scoring list for both forwards and defencemen. 

He was also a gold medal champion in the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championship in April.

Local Community Advertising

Trending Stories

Here’s everything coming to Netflix Canada in May 2024

Buildings damaged after Kelowna hedge fire spreads

‘A call for help’: Kelowna’s cat cafe struggling as vet bills pile up

Here’s everything coming to Disney Plus in May 2024

Residents of BC Interior city told to drive up to 100 km to 'access care' due to nursing shortage

BC making changes to give mobile home park residents better protections

VIDEO: Kelowna RCMP criticized over handling of violent incident

UPDATE: BC man arrested after fatal stabbing now charged for separate stabbing 2 days earlier