After the Senators drafted Stephen Halliday in the fourth round in 2022, the 6-foot-3, 213-pound centre led the Buckeyes in scoring as a rookie and he's doing it again this year.
Not every prospect who makes his way to the NHL follows the same trajectory.
For most, it begins with getting drafted at 18 or 19. Those who aren't drafted in their first two years of eligibility play out their junior or collegiate careers and go the route of free agency.
But players rarely get drafted after being passed over twice. Senators' prospect Stephen Halliday, selected in round four (104th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, is one such player.
Players also rarely play four full seasons in the USHL before moving to NCAA hockey. Again, Halliday is taking the path less travelled.
As a 6-foot-3, 213-pound centre, it's hard to imagine why Halliday had to sit through nearly three NHL entry drafts to hear his name.
Something clicked in his fourth year in the USHL, with his point total doubling in his third year at Dubuque. Halliday transitioned nicely to the NCAA, leading the Ohio State Buckeyes in scoring (41 points in 40 games) in his rookie season. He's at again as a sophomore, leading the way in scoring.
Scouting reports describe Halliday as a pass-first centre, and his scoring profile backs that up with goals representing about 20% of his output. More than any scouting report, this highlight reel, which documents all nine of his goals last season, shows you a player who has vision, puck patience, a big body, and a shot that should, perhaps, get more use.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBvmO5v1ZbU[/embed]
The description of Halliday and the path he has followed resembles that of current Belleville Senator forward, Egor Sokolov. Both were ignored in two drafts due to below-average skating. Both improved their skating and had huge breakthrough years in the season they turned 20.
Halliday drew rave reviews in this year's Senators Development Camp. Unfortunately, being an NCAA player and having no contract, he was not eligible to participate in the prospects challenge. Nonetheless, he has taken a step forward on the prospect depth chart within the organization.
Skating will likely be an ongoing challenge for Halliday, and his ability to process the game at the pro level will determine how far he goes.
The question for the Senators becomes: Do they let him slowly cook and enjoy success in the NCAA for another year? Or do they get him into their system to accelerate his development?"
Sokolov began his professional career at the age of 20. Halliday is already 21. If he replicates or surpasses last year's performance, it gives him greater leverage to encourage a signing.
For now, watching what he's doing at Ohio State has been impressive.