Sennecke ‘shocked’ to be selected third overall by Ducks in 2024 NHL Draft

It was the latest surprise in terms of early selection in the NHL draft. In 2022, the Montreal Canadiens selected forward Juraj Slafkovsky with the first pick, when most in attendance at the Bell Center expected them to select Shane Wright, who fell to fourth overall. Then, in 2023, the Ducks had an unexpected game. pick at No. 2, taking center Leo Carlsson over Adam Fantilli, who fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets at No. 3.

Led by Carlsson and fellow forwards Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, Troy Terry and Cutter Gauthier (acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers last season), the Ducks have already built a solid young offensive core. Verbeek said he has Sennecke (6-foot-3, 182 pounds) being tapped to play wing in the coming years.

“When you look at a player like him, you see he has a lot of potential,” Verbeek said. “He already has a lot of elite qualities. He now needs to go to the gym and gain weight. »

Sennecke admitted he was still adjusting to his new body after a growth spurt over the past two years, saying the changes had affected his balance and that he was a “little person’s player in a big person’s body.”

He also said his performance in the OHL playoffs, where he had 22 points in 16 games and tied for fourth in the league playoffs in goals (10), may have been the reason the Ducks called him up. Sennecke had 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists) in 63 regular-season games in his second regular season with Oshawa.

“I think that’s probably the deciding factor,” Sennecke said. “They want somebody who’s going to produce in the playoffs and show up when it matters most. I think that’s when my season peaked. I think I’m a playoff performer.”

Donning Anaheim’s new orange jersey with the vintage “Mighty Ducks” logo – the recently released primary jersey is a tribute to famous Disney films and teams of the past – Sennecke said he was excited to partner with so many young talent and being a part of the rebranding of a proud franchise that won the Stanley Cup in 2007.

“The new logo is beautiful, too,” Sennecke said. “They’re in a rebuilding phase, and I’m excited to be a part of it. As soon as they think I’m ready, I’ll step in and do my job to the best of my ability.”

NHL.com Senior Writer Dan Rosen contributed to this report