“This is what I dreamt of as a kid in my hometown.”
Published Jan 16, 2025 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 4 minute read
Injuries create opportunity.
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That was the case for Donovan Sebrango on Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The 23-year-old Ottawa native couldn’t have scripted a better place to make his National Hockey League debut than his backyard as he suited up against the Washington Capitals after being called up from the American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville.
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Veteran winger Michael Amadio, who missed 10 games with a concussion from a Dec. 21 game against the Vancouver Canucks, also suited up against the Caps, and rugged forward Zack MacEwen was sent back to Belleville.
Hard work, perseverance and dedication paid off for Sebrango, who was chosen No. 63 overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020 NHL draft and took the spot left vacant by Thomas Chabot’s injury.
His mother, Kim, was in tears as he took his rookie lap and he threw her a puck to remember the night.
“A single mom having to teach me the ways of hockey and bring me into the sport,” Sebrango said. “That lap was for her. Everything tonight was for her.
“She’s the reason I’m here. To get in the building, this was probably the best day of my life so far. It was just a special moment and it’s all because of her.”
Though Chabot participated fully in the morning skate, wearing a full face shield after he took a puck in the face on Tuesday night against the New York Islanders, the team decided to give him Thursday night off. He’s listed as day-to-day.
“This is what I dreamt of as a kid in my hometown,” Sebrango said. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will once I step on the ice.
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“This is something I’ve waited my whole life for, so it’s going to be a great moment I’ll get to experience with my family and my teammates. I’m just excited.”
Senators head coach Travis Green gave Sebrango some simple advice along with assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner.
“It’s exciting. Anytime a young player gets to play his first NHL game, as a coach you enjoy telling him,” Green said. “He’s had to work had his whole life to get there and I’m sure he’s going to be nervous.
“But the message is to be excited and do what you do well, keep it simple and play hard. He’ll be fine.”
The road to his NHL debut hasn’t been easy for Sebrango., who played 11 minutes and 38 seconds.
He suited up for four games with the Central Canada Hockey League’s Ottawa Junior Senators in 2017-18.
During two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers, Sebrango finished with 13 goals, 43 assists and 56 points in 118 games.
Since the end of the 2019-19 OHL campaign, it’s been not easy to get to the NHL. He spent most of three seasons with Detroit’s AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, which also included a 23-game stint with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye in 2022-23.
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.
Sebrango had a solid training camp in September, turning heads. This is the second time he has been called up to Ottawa this season, but he didn’t suit up for a game during a Western road swing.
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He isn’t afraid to get involved and brings a physical presence.
He also has three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 28 games with Belleville this season. The organization has also liked the leadership he has displayed in the AHL.
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