Sens call up Ottawa-born Cameron Crotty from Belleville

Arizona Coyotes Cameron Crotty in the first period during an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Ottawa Senators say Cameron Crotty could get a chance to suit up and play on home ice in the city where he grew up tonight.

The Ottawa-born defenceman was called up from the Belleville Senators on Thursday. The Sens say Crotty could be called upon to play against the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.

If he hits the ice, it would be his third NHL game. The 26-year-old is playing his sixth season of pro men’s hockey.

“A native of the National Capital Region, he has primarily played in the American Hockey League. He did, however, get the chance to play one game with the (Arizona) Coyotes (during the 2023-24 season) and another with the Minnesota Wild (during the 2024-25 season),” the Senators said in a media release.

Crotty was drafted 82nd overall by Arizona in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to his professional career, he played with the Gloucester Rangers, the Brockville Braves, and the Boston University Terriers. He also briefly played in Norway’s Elite Hockey League.

He signed a two-year contract with Ottawa last summer. In Belleville, he has played 49 games this season, scoring three goals and putting up seven assists.

The Senators are making their final push to the playoffs with eight games remaining in the regular season. Thursday’s game against the Sabres marks the start of a five-game homestand after Ottawa’s 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

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