Youngster Logan Brown has a chance to stick with Senators

BRUCE GARRIOCH

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Logan Brown came to Ottawa Senators’ training camp with a goal of making the team.

At this point, that’s a realistic possibility.

As the Senators prepare to open the final full week of the pre-season Monday night against the New Jersey Devils at the Credit Union Centre, Brown, 19, the No. 11 overall pick in 2016 NHL draft, has positioned himself well to be part of the roster on Opening Night Oct. 5 against the Washington Capitals.

With centre Derick Brassard recovering from shoulder surgery, injury has brought opportunity for Brown and though he still has eligibility left with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires he isn’t going anywhere because the club wants to see how he performs as the pace ramps up in the final week.

Coming off a three-point night in a 5-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Saturday at the Canadian Tire Centre, Brown has opened some eyes.

“I came here and my goal was to push for a spot,” Brown said. “It’s just getting through every day and being one of the hardest workers every day and sticking to the game plan. I feel like I’ve done that so far. I’m here to make the team and I feel like there’s opportunities to make the team so I’m coming here and trying to show I’m ready.”

Let’s face it, Brown is hard to ignore. At the 6-foot-6, he’s a big body and showed a willingness to go to the front of the net Saturday when he was there to pick up Bobby Ryan rebound to beat Al Montoya with a backhand.

Make no mistake, coach Guy Boucher has been impressed with Brown’s development because he struggled last year with injuries.

“Compared to last year, we know Logan he has a high-end NHL mind,” Boucher said after Saturday’s win. “We knew that and that’s why he was drafted (high). We’re talking about a real high-end vision and quickness to see what he’s got to do to make plays.

“For a bigger guy to be able to make these plays in a small and confined environment it’s pretty impressive. Last year, he was definitely lacking the pace, the speed and the stamina — which he drastically improved over the span of this year. Now, he’s improved it so much he’s improving every game.”

Brown, the son of former NHLer Jeff Brown, has all the tools.

“His size was always there, his mind was always there, his technical attributes were always there. Right now, it’s about the pace and maintaining it,” Boucher added. “As we move along, I think we’ll see if he can maintain that. He’s going to make it hard for us and that’s good for us.”