Senators top prospect returning to college for 2021-22 season

According to Shawn Simpson of TSN, Ottawa Senators top defensive prospect Jake Sanderson will return to the University of North Dakota for his sophomore season in 2021-22.

Sanderson, 18, was drafted by Ottawa in the first round, fifth overall in the 2020 NHL Entry draft. During his rookie season at the University of North Dakota, he tallied 14 points (2 G, 12 A), 4 penalty minutes, and was a +18 in 20 games.

The Whitefish, Montana native earned a spot on the United States' roster for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. In 7 games, Sanderson had 2 points (2 A), 0 penalty minutes, and was a +7 as the United States took home the gold medal by defeating the hosts, Canada, in the final.

The Senators are hoping Sanderson will become a vital part of their top-four in the future with Thomas Chabot, Erik Brannstrom, and Jacob Bernard-Docker. An extra year of collegiate hockey will do him wonders for when he makes the jump to the NHL, likely in 2022.

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