Jorian Donovan and Carter Yakemchuk have been recalled from Belleville by the Ottawa Senators. With injuries affecting key players, this move opens the door for their potential NHL debuts.
Details of the Recall
The Senators announced the recall on Tuesday morning. Both Donovan and Yakemchuk are stepping in as veteran defensemen Thomas Chabot and Lassi Thomson are currently sidelined. Following a recent game at Madison Square Garden, head coach Travis Green indicated that Chabot and Thomson might be out for an extended period.
Yakemchuk’s Performance
Carter Yakemchuk, in his rookie season, recently appeared in his 50th American Hockey League (AHL) game. Selected as a first-round pick in 2024, he has tallied 36 points consisting of 10 goals and 26 assists. Currently, he is enjoying a strong performance, securing 11 points in his last nine games, with three goals and eight assists. This success places him 10th among AHL defensemen in points, with only one rookie ahead of him by two points.
Donovan’s Growth
Jorian Donovan is now in his second season with Belleville, where he has made significant strides. He has established new career highs with four goals and 21 points over 58 games. Before joining the Senators, he won the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) championship in 2022 and reached the Memorial Cup final with the Hamilton Bulldogs, where Steve Staios served as the team’s general manager and president. Donovan was drafted in the fifth round by the Senators, making him the 136th overall pick.
A Family Legacy
Interestingly, Jorian Donovan’s father, Shean, played the last three seasons of his NHL career with the Senators from 2007 to 2010. If both Jorian and Shean compete in the NHL together, they would become the first father-son duo to do so for the Senators.
Next Game
The Ottawa Senators are set to conclude their brief two-game road trip. They will face the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena Tuesday night. Fans are eager to see if Donovan and Yakemchuk will take their places in the lineup, marking a significant moment for the team.
