Sens Select Nicholas VanTassell 215th-overall

With the 215th-overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Ottawa Senators selected right wing Nicholas VanTassell of the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers.

VanTassell is a big right-winger, listed at 6'4" at 196 lbs. He was born in Basking Ridge, NJ, and has played the last two years with the USHL's Gamblers, racking up 18 points (11 goals) in 58 games in 2021-22, and then doubling that with 37 points (19 goals) in 62 games this past season. He's committed to the University of Massachusetts (NCAA Div. 1) for next year, along with 2022 119th-overall Bruins pick Dans Ločmelis and 2021 115th-overall Predators pick Ryan Ufko. (Note that the NHL and the Sens style his name Vantassell, but Elite Prospects and the Gamblers style it VanTassell, and I'm more inclined to think the latter are right.)

He's touted as a power forward, combining his size and smooth skating with strong offensive instincts. We'll see how he does in UMass, getting the chance to hopefully grow into his frame and learn from some older, stronger players. The only place he was ranked was on the NHL Central Scouting's NA Skaters list, which had him 164th. Like any 7th-rounder, he has the tools and ingredients to be a good NHL player, it's now about seeing how he develops.

Welcome to the Sens family, Nick!