While the majority of Day 1 free agent attention was focused on Toronto, the Ottawa Senators added two players that will bring depth to their American Hockey League team in Belleville.
Thirty-five-year-old goaltender Mike McKenna, who helped the Texas Stars advance to the Calder Cup final will bring veteran experience to the Belleville net where he will mentor youngsters Filip Gustavsson and Marcus Hogberg. McKenna played 22 games for the AHL Western Conference champion Stars posting a 2.41 goals against average with a .927 save percentage.
This is McKenna’s second stint with the Ottawa organization. He played for the Binghamton Senators in the 2011-2012 season. McKenna has 24 games of NHL experience with Tampa Bay, New Jersey, Columbus, Arizona and Dallas.
McKenna will make $700,000 U.S. if he plays in Ottawa or $175,000 U.S. with Belleville.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 08: Paul Carey #28 of the New York Rangers skates against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on October 8, 2017 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 2-0. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Senators also signed 29-year-old centre Paul Carey to a one-year two-way contract.
Carey played 60 games for the New York Rangers last season scoring 7 goals and 7 assists.
The 6’1″, 200-pound centre has 92 games of NHL experience with the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals and Rangers. However most of his pro career has been in the American Hockey League. Two years ago he scored 55 points in 55 games with the Hershey Bears playing for new Belleville Senators coach Troy Mann.
Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion says Carey will give Ottawa depth up front. Carey’s contract will pay him $700,00 U.S. if he cracks Ottawa’s lineup and $350,000 if he plays in Belleville.
SUBBAN BACK IN THE EAST
The Maple Leafs signed another Toronto product yesterday and there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing a lot of him in Belleville.
Former Bulls star defenceman Jordan Subban has signed a one-year two-way contract that will likely see him join the Toronto Marlies. Subban played four seasons with the Belleville Bulls establishing numerous team records. Although he started last year with Belleville’s North Division rival Utica Comets, Subban was traded by Vancouer to the Los Angeles Kings before he had the opportunity to return to the Yardmen Arena.
Calgary signed two former Belleville Bulls including Belleville born Alan Quine. He is joined by Tyler Graovac.
