Sens sign D Sanderson to three-year ELC

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenceman Jake Sanderson to a three-year, entry-level contract, it was announced Sunday.

The Sens say Sanderson, who is in the midst of recovering from a hand injury, will join the team this week and could appear in regular-season games within the month.

The 19-year-old was selected No. 5 overall in the 2020 NHL Draft and has spent the last two seasons at the University of North Dakota.

The Whitefish, Mont., native had eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points in 23 games this season for the Fighting Hawks.

“We’re very pleased to get Jake under contract,” said Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion in a news release. “An important cog to our future on defence, Jake is an effortless skater who possesses all the tools to be a complete NHL defenceman. A mature leader despite his young age, he played big minutes in college with a blend of poise and confidence. While he still has progress to make in overcoming a current injury, we are hopeful of seeing him in our lineup before the end of the season.”

Sanderson served as captain of Team USA at the eventually postponed 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship and also represented the U.S. at the Beijing Olympics in February.