The third-overall pick signed an entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks yesterday.
The jerseys are new, the logo is (sorta) new and the draft picks are new but wait there's more. Beckett Sennecke, Anaheim's third-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft signed a brand new entry-level contract with the team yesterday.
"They're [Anaheim] obviously drafting big and I think I fit into that role," said Sennecke at the draft. "They want skill they want physicality and I'm going to bring that to the team ... Whenever they think I'm ready, I'm going to do that to the best of my ability."
Sennecke had one of the best reactions to being taken at the draft. Players often show elation, or shock, but not many do so to the degree that Sennecke did when he realized he had been picked third overall.
Anaheim's new t-shirt design shows just how much they appreciated the reaction.
The 2007-born winger may have been shocked, but pundits weren't. Many felt this was an excellent pick for a Ducks organization that is rapidly putting together a very strong prospect pool.
Sennecke joins Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov, Leo Carlsson and Olen Zellweger. The difference between these players and Sennecke is that they have all played a significant number of NHL games.
Given a few years to develop, Anaheim may have a talented young squad that is ready to set the league on fire.
Sennecke will undoubtedly have a role to play when he is ready. The young Oshawa Generals forward scored 27 goals while adding 41 assists for a total of 68 points in 63 games last season.
He was third in points on the team trailing only 2004-born Dylan Roobroeck and 2005-born Calum Ritchie.
On the way, he set personal bests in all scoring categories aided by a growth spurt that he underwent mid-season.
While Sennecke's talent and skill placed him on scouts' radars, a mid-season growth spurt sent him flying up draft boards.
When Oshawa drafted the young winger he was 5-foot-10. Over the course of his rookie season, Sennecke developed all of the speed, quickness and smooth hands associated with undersized players. He then arrived at the NHL Draft Combine this season measuring in at nearly 6-foot-3.
It's that combination of size and deadly skill that makes Sennecke an incredibly fun player to watch. Anaheim fans should be thrilled to have the opportunity to watch this player in the coming years.
Sennecke just finished attending his first development camp in Anaheim. The opportunity to work with NHL coaching staff and continue to improve is important for all of the new draft picks. It is also an opportunity for young players to get more familiar with some of the officials in the organization.
It is likely that Sennecke will return to the Generals next season to continue his development.