Senators Prospect Cal Uens' Road to the NHL Takes Time

Not every young hockey player gets to walk into an NHL training camp before playing his first professional game. Cal Uens got that opportunity with the Ottawa Senators in September, and it sounds like the experience made a strong impression.

Now the 21-year-old defenceman is getting his first taste of professional hockey with the Allen Americans of the ECHL. He's already collected his first professional point, faced seasoned opponents, and even got into a memorable fight. It's been a pretty busy introduction to the next stage of his hockey life.

For Senators fans, Uens is a name worth keeping somewhere on the radar.

A Surprise Opportunity With Ottawa:

Uens didn't expect an invitation to Ottawa's NHL training camp. In an interview with the Napanee Beaver, he said he contacted his agent about attending the Belleville Senators' camp. The next day, he got a call offering him something considerably bigger.

Instead, he was invited to Ottawa's camp, where he spent about 10 to 12 days with the organization. He eventually received a professional tryout agreement before being released on September 27. It wasn't a contract, but it was an opportunity to see how NHL players prepare, practise, and approach the little things that make a difference at that level.

Uens described the experience as phenomenal. He also got a clear look at how big the jump is from junior hockey to the NHL. That's valuable education for a young defenceman.

The Professional Game Is Already Teaching Him Plenty.

Uens made his ECHL debut with Allen on October 17 against Tulsa. A week later, he recorded his first professional point with an assist against Idaho. He also showed that he's not afraid to get involved physically. His fight with Idaho's Jaxon Fuder attracted plenty of attention, and Allen's team report listed him with 19 penalty minutes, the highest total on the Americans at that point.

Before turning professional, Uens played 266 OHL games and finished his junior career with the Quebec Remparts. He put up 49 points in 63 games during his final QMJHL season. He has offensive ability, but the immediate challenge is bringing all parts of his game to the professional level. That's not always an overnight process.

What Comes Next for Cal Uens?

For Ottawa, there's no need to rush the conversation. Uens is 21, getting regular experience, and learning what it takes to compete against older players. The NHL training camp was a nice early glimpse of what might be possible. The work in Allen is where he'll have to build toward it.

And sometimes that's the most interesting part of following a young prospect: watching the steps along the way rather than worrying about how quickly he reaches the destination.