Monday, July 26, 2010

Senators sign forward Mike Hoffman to entry-level contract

Press Release

BOUCHERVILLE, Thursday, July 22, 2010 - The Ottawa Senators announced today the club has signed forward Mike Hoffman to an entry-level contract.

Hoffman, the Senators’ fifth-round pick (130th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, recently attended his second development camp with the club.

The 20-year-old left-winger completed his final year of Canadian Hockey League eligibility, winning the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Michel-Brière Trophy as the league’s most valuable player as a member of the Saint John Sea Dogs. Hoffman recorded 85 points (46 goals, 39 assists) in 56 games, ranking him first among Sea Dogs in goals and points. His point total also placed him third in the QMJHL in goals, tied for second in power-play goals (17) and seventh in overall scoring. Hoffman was also named a first team QMJHL all-star and was a finalist for the CHL player-of-the-year award.

The native of Kitchener, Ont., started his CHL career in his hometown with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers in 2006-07. Hoffman then moved to the QMJHL, splitting the 2007-08 season with Gatineau and Drummondville. Helping Drummondville win the league title and then losing in the 2009 Memorial Cup semi-final to Windsor, he had his best junior season, scoring 52 goals and 42 assists for 94 points in 62 games in 2008-09. Through 19 playoff games, he had 21 goals and 13 assists.

Hoffman finished his CHL career with 122 goals, 105 assists and 217 penalty minutes over 182 games. He also added 32 goals and 26 assists in 40 post-season meetings.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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