It’ll be baptism by fire for Ottawa Senators defenceman Donovan Sebrango on Thursday night. Sebrango will make his NHL debut, jumping right into the heat of the NHL Eastern playoff chase. Not only will it happen in his hometown, with family and friends cheering him on, it will be against Alex Ovechkin and the league-leading Washington Capitals.

Acquired by the Ottawa organization as part of the trade that sent Alex DeBrincat to the Red Wings in July 2023, Sebrango welcomed a fresh start. He suited up for 35 games in his first season with Belleville, plus for four games with the ECHL’s Allentown Americans.

Belleville Senators forward Tyler Boucher, Brantford Bulldogs 20-year-old Tomas Hamara (who is signed) and big Finnish defenseman Eerik Wallenius were also considered for the fourth tier and are comparable prospects to the final four players ranked.