Big Harpur fitting right in on blue line
When Ben Harpur played for Binghamton at Canadian Tire Centre on March 24, he firmly believed it was the closest he would get to the Ottawa Senators lineup until next season.
Back then, he was simply excited about the suggestion he could be invited to practise alongside the Senators as a Black Ace during the playoffs.
But there he was on the ice in the final minute of the Senators’ 2-0 victory over Detroit on Tuesday, helping protect a pivotal two points.
Injuries to Erik Karlsson, Marc Methot and Cody Ceci opened the door. Harpur is making it impossible now for the Senators to tell him to leave the house.
“At the trade deadline, they traded for some more defensive depth (Jyrki Jokipakka), so I didn’t expect it, but it’s a crazy game,” Harpur said. “The injuries here are unfortunate, but for a guy like me ... this is how guys jump-start their careers. This is how they get their opportunities. And you have to make the most of it.”
He has already bypassed Jokipakka, a healthy scratch for the past two games, on the depth chart. Depending on the long-term status of Methot, he could have a shot at seeing playoff action, too.
By all accounts, Harpur, drafted by the Senators 108th overall in 2013, is a really nice guy. The challenge for Binghamton head coach Kurt Kleinendorst and assistant coach Steve Stirling was pushing Harpur to find his inner mean streak so he could maximize his 6-foot-5, 222-pound frame.
Harpur was certainly holding his own in that department against Detroit, exchanging slashes and pleasantries with the Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin in the final minutes.
“That was definitely the big focus, that they really pushed on me,” Harpur said. “If I’m going to be a full-time NHLer, I’m going to have to play that game.”
He has quickly earned the trust of Senators coach Guy Boucher.
“These are tough times for somebody to come in as a defenceman,” Boucher said. “It’s a lot of pressure. You’ve got to make the right play. That one play could make your team win or lose. It’s pretty impressive. He always had a lot of poise, but he has built up a lot more maturity and a lot more toughness. It’s not even comparable to before. That’s what I’ve been told.”
Harpur readily acknowledges he’s “not a fighter by nature,” but he did laugh when asked about Mark Borowiecki stepping in to defend him with time running out. Borowiecki is 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds.
“I think that might be a first,” Harpur said. “Being 6-foot-5, I don’t really need anyone to protect me, but I knew Boro would be right behind me, no matter what I got into there.”