Zach Senyshyn is getting another chance to prove he belongs in the National Hockey League. The often scrutinized first-round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL Draft signed a Professional Tryout contract (PTO) with the New Jersey Devils Wednesday. Senyshyn will join New Jersey in NHL camp on September 21 at Prudential Center. The former 15th overall pick was traded by Boston to Ottawa at the trade deadline last season.
The Ottawa, Ontario native played parts of seven seasons with the Bruins’ American Hockey League affiliate Providence Bruins. Last season, the winger played in 16 games for Belleville, Ottawa’s AHL affiliate. In his AHL career, the 6’1″, 210-pound forward totaled 113 points in 259 regular season games. In his 14 NHL games with Boston, Senyshyn registered one goal and two assists. Senyshyn, 25, was not re-signed by Ottawa after playing two games with no points.
Senyshyn was a surprise first-round draft pick who many considered a reach at the time. With current NHL stars, including the Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, the Jets’ Kyle Connor, and the Senators’ Thomas Chabot still available, the Bruins had three consecutive picks. They selected Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, and Senyshyn, who scored 114 goals in 195 games for the Soo Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League. Zboril and Debrusk are still on the Bruins’ roster, while Senyshyn struggled to stick with the NHL club and is now looking to make the Devils’ roster in what could be his last chance at being a regular NHL player.
