Ottawa Senators prospect Jan Jenik just had himself a uniquely excellent weekend.
On Friday night, Jenik tied the Belleville Senators' franchise record for most assists in a single game, recording five against the Bridgeport Islanders, and matching the B-Sens record set by Ottawa’s Drake Batherson.
On Saturday, he tormented the Islanders again in another 6-1 Belleville win, scoring the game-winner and adding two assists. And finally, on Monday, as good things often happen in threes, Jenik became the fifth Belleville Senator to be named the American Hockey League Player of the Week.
The others are Ottawa assistant coach Ben Sexton (Dec. 29/18), two-timer Drake Batherson (Nov. 11/18, Feb. 10/19), Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nick Paul (Feb. 24/19), and CSKA Moscow winger Vitaly Abramov (Dec. 29/19).
Like their NHL parent club, the Belleville Senators are on a hot streak as they fight for a playoff spot. Belleville has been untouchable at home lately, posting an 8-0-1 record in their last nine games.
This is Jenik’s first season with the Ottawa organization, but he has long-standing ties to Sens GM Steve Staios and team owner Michael Andlauer. Jenik played for them with the Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2019-2020 season, racking up 56 points in just 27 games. That led Staios to call him the best player in the OHL at the time.
Drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round, Jenik has had solid success in the past with their AHL affiliate in Tucson, though he has yet to make a significant impact in his 24 NHL games. The Senators acquired him in a trade last summer, sending Egor Sokolov to Arizona in exchange for Jenik. Sokolov was a key player for Belleville and, after four years there, holds most of the team’s career scoring records.
Jenik has missed 21 games this season due to injury but has still posted nine goals and 23 points in 38 games. Standing at 6'2" and 199 pounds, the Senators are hoping the 24-year-old forward can build on this and further regain his scoring touch.
After a weekend like that, anything's possible.
By Steve Warne
Site Editor at The Hockey News Ottawa
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