Ottawa Senators Defenceman Makes NHL Debut on Thursday Night

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.

“I mean, this is what I’ve dreamt of as a kid in my hometown,” Sebrango told Senators.com. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will once I step on the ice. This is what I’ve worked my whole life for. So, it’s a great moment to experience with my family and teammates tonight, but I’m just excited.”

With Thomas Chabot out with a facial injury, Sebrango will take the veteran’s spot on the roster. Chabot is the third defenceman sidelined by injury, joining Jacob Bernard-Docker and Travis Hamonic, though Chabot won’t be out long.

Naturally, Sebrango will be used sparingly in his debut as the Senators try to win their fourth game in a row.

Sebrango was acquired in 2023 from the Detroit Red Wings, as part of the package deal that sent Alex DeBrincat back to his hometown team. After a strong junior career with the Kitchener Rangers, which included a spot on Team Canada’s 2022 World Junior team, Sebrango was chosen by the Wings in the third round, 63rd overall, at the 2020 NHL Draft.

In 2024-25, Sebrango has 13 points in 28 AHL games with the Belleville Senators. He was with the big club earlier this season, getting into some practices on a Western road trip but didn’t see any action.

“Yeah, I think I took some steps there, and I’m having a pretty good year. So I’m just looking to play my game up here and see what I can do for the guys.”

While most coaches in any team sport will tell you that the worst part of their job is having to tell players they’re cut or no longer on the team, one of the best parts is telling players their dream is about to come true.

“It’s exciting,” head coach Travis Green said in Thursday’s media availability. “Any time a young player gets to play his first NHL game, as a coach, you enjoy telling him. He’s had to work hard his whole life to get there. And I’m sure he’s going to be nervous.

“But the message is: Be excited, do what you do well, keep it simple, and play hard. He’ll be fine.”

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