The Ottawa Senators announced that they have signed former first-round pick Xavier Bourgault to a one-year, two-way contract. Bourgault, selected 22nd overall in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, looks to make his NHL debut this upcoming season.
Last season, Bourgault scored 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 61 games for the Belleville Senators. Bourgault, 22, came to the Senators last year alongside forwards Jake Chiasson for Roby Jarventie and a 2025 fourth round pick. The Quebec native has yet to score above 35 points in a season in the AHL. As of right now, this appears to be a depth signing for Belleville.
With that said, however, some players take a little more time to develop. Blake Coleman of the Calgary Flames made his NHL debut when he was 25 years old. He later went on to win a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This isn’t to say that Bourgault will become Coleman, however. Sometimes, players need a few extra years to marinate before they crack NHL ice.
Bourgault from 2021 to Now
Bourgault played another season with the Shawinigan Cataractes after his draft year, reaching career highs in goals (36), assists (39) and points (75). He played a pivotal role helping the team obtain its 2022 QMJHL championship with 22 points in 16 playoff games. His success at the junior level caught the attention of the Oilers, who promptly signed him to his entry-level deal.
From there, Bourgault struggled to make an impact at the AHL level with just 13 goals, 21 assists and 34 points in 62 games with the Bakersfield Condors. He has yet to reach those numbers, putting up 20 and 26-point seasons during the following two years. His current contract pays him $775,000 at the NHL level and $90,000 at the AHL level.
Senators Improving Through Depth
Senators general manager Steve Staios believes that strength as a whole is the way to win at the NHL level. “That’s where it’s up to the individuals, and it’s not one individual,” Staios said a quarter into the 2024-25 season. “I know how this goes, and you’re going to go and grab a player or two and try and figure out, it’s each individual in that room that needs to step up in that regard.”
Bourgault could be one of the first names on the call-up list, should injuries or inconsistencies sideline the Senators. “The good news is like we have high character individuals, well intended individuals that want to be coached,” Staios said. “Now you’ve heard [head coach Travis Green] speak to that, and it’s true, like they want to get better, so identifying this area for them, and they have to go through these experiences and, and learn how to deal with them.”
Above all else, Staios prides the Senators on their growth. “We have an incredibly well-intended group of players. I believe they care. A lot of our discussion was on how they continue to grow not only as a player, but as a teammate, as a leader for all of our players…The only way we can get to the expectations we have for ourselves is by looking after that.”
Senators Sign Former First Rounder