Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Beckett Sennecke is selected with the 3rd overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2408efd3-2cd9-478d-a186-3db1fc0e8ee8.jpeg] Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Beckett Sennecke is selected with the 3rd overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks] top prospect Beckett Sennecke saw his 2024-25 season come to an end on Thursday, losing at the hands of the London Knights in the OHL Championship series, which ended in five games (4-1). Sennecke (19) scored 32 (14-18=32) points in 18 playoff games for the Oshawa Generals during their run to the OHL final, including five points (2-3=5) in five games against the Knights. Ducks Name Joel Quenneville Head Coach [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-name-joel-quenneville-head-coach] He totaled 86 (36-50=86) points in 56 regular season games for the Generals, an impressive 1.54 points per game, which he upped in the playoffs to 1.78. He was the OHL’s fourth-leading scorer in the playoffs, behind teammates Colby Barlow and Luca Marreli and Knights forward and Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] prospect Easton Cowan. Surprisingly, the Generals gave the Knights their toughest competition in any of their best-of-seven series, taking them to a game five. The Knights finished their run going 16-1 in the playoffs. They had the advantage in firepower over Oshawa, icing 12 NHL draft picks compared to the Generals’ seven. Through the first three rounds, Sennecke, mostly on a line with Barlow and Calumn Ritchie, dominated, scoring 27 points in 13 games. He missed the final two games of round one and the first game of round two with an undisclosed injury after crashing into the end boards following a goal in game four of the Generals’ round one matchup against the Brampton Steelheads. Sennecke's most notable puck touches from game three of the Oshawa Generals best-of-seven series against the London Knights He was relatively neutralized in the Championship series, despite tallying five points. Knights head coach Dale Hunter hard-matched his top pair of Oliver Bonk and Sam Dickinson against Sennecke any time he could. Sennecke was only able to unleash his brand of creative, skillful, and tenacious hockey in flashes against London, who practically operate as an NHL organization would on the ice, valuing attention to detail and playing a man-to-man defensive zone coverage scheme. Dickinson especially gave Sennecke fits, mirroring his movements, closing gaps, and disrupting pass and dangle attempts with a smart stick. Dickinson was the victim of what could have been the CHL goal of the year back in early December, when Sennecke displayed one of the most skillful and creative moves in recent memory. Dickinson, however, got the last laugh. In the deciding game five, Sennecke had a couple of effort lapses on London’s first and third goals that he’ll have to iron out if he’s to compete at the highest levels of the sport. His loss of coverage in the defensive zone directly led to what ultimately became London’s game-winning goal. Sennecke’s future is somewhat up in the air at this point as far as where he’ll play in 2025-26. His production and nightly domination indicate he’s surpassed the skill level of the CHL, but his age dictates he’s ineligible to play in the AHL. His options are to either play in the NHL or again in the CHL next season. Several CHL players are making the jump to the NCAA next season. Still, deductive reasoning suggests Sennecke will be unable to join them as he’s already signed his entry-level contract with the Ducks. It will be one of the more interesting situations to monitor within the Ducks organization through training camp in Sept, as the goal for the NHL club is to make the playoffs and leave the rebuild in the rearview mirror. Ducks Prospect Swaps Swedish Clubs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-prospect-swaps-swedish-clubs] Three Ducks Players Who Could Benefit Most from Quenneville Hire [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/players/three-ducks-players-who-could-benefit-most-from-quenneville-hire] Ducks Trio Speaks on Joel Quenneville Hiring [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-trio-speaks-on-joel-quenneville-hiring]
