Ottawa Senators Call Up Angus Crookshank: ‘Any Day Where You Can Be In The NHL Is Always A Good One’

A couple of weeks ago, Belleville Senators head coach David Bell told TSN 1200 radio that he’s hated having to walk past forward Angus Crookshank in the dressing room all season to tell other prospects they were going up to the NHL.

While Bell was happy for the other players, Crookshank’s hard work, doing all the right things, made him an easy one to root for. But based on today’s news, it looks like Bell was finally able to stop at Crookshank’s stall to say the words the North Vancouver native has been waiting all season to hear.

After playing 13 games with the NHL club last season, Crookshank was finally called up by the Ottawa Senators for the first time this season.

“I’m excited,” Crookshank said. “I mean, any day where you can be in the NHL is always a good one right? I’ve just got to kind of play my game. And there’s a reason why I’m here. So I’ve just got to show that.”

The 25-year-old is a pending UFA this summer so this might be his last chance to show the Senators he can be an asset at the NHL level. As he continues to provide offence, leading the B-Sens with 18 goals, he’s pleased that he’s been able to round out the defensive part of the game.

“I mean, that’s kind of what’s going to get me to this level.

“I’m traditionally an offensive player. And I don’t want to take away from that. But I mean, if I’m going to make it in the NHL, it’s not necessarily going to be in a top-six role per se, to start at least. So I’ve got to be responsible on both sides of the puck. And that’s how you kind of earn the coach’s trust.”

Crookshank was asked if he’s been keeping an eye on Ottawa, with all the injuries at forward – Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, Shane Pinto, and Nick Cousins – and wondering if his name was going to be called.

“I’ve just got to stay patient. I mean, there are so many things that are circumstantial and out of my control. You can dwell on it all you want. It can drive you nuts at the best of times. But all I can do is just worry about myself, worry about my game, and just go a day at a time, as cliche as it is.”

While it’s great to see a good NHL prospect get his opportunity, that usually means superior players are injured. The club announced that Tkachuk, Norris, and Pinto will all remain sidelined so Crookshank and Belleville teammate Jan Jenik will both play on Wednesday night against the Winnipeg Jets.