Ottawa Senators Re-Sign Mark Borowiecki

Mark Bororwiecki played in a career-high 70 games last year for the Senators. He scored one goal and two assists for three points while leading the NHL in hits (364) and penalty minutes (164). Unfortunately, the Ottawa native was limited to two playoff games because of an injury he sustained in the Senators first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins. Despite the long Senators playoff run, he could not get healthy enough to return.

The Senators selected Borowiecki in the fifth round, 139th overall, at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The hard-hitting 28-year-old has four goals and 13 assists for 17 career points. He has also added 436 penalty minutes in 217 career NHL games. Considered a long shot to make the NHL, Borowiecki developed into a fan favorite in Ottawa through his physical play and punishing hits. The signing makes sense for the Senators who are looking to build on their playoff success from last season.

Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion cited Borowiecki’s physical play as a reason for the extension. Dorion also likes the fact that Borowiecki is a hometown boy. The contract carries an average annual value of $1.2 million in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons the team said.

Borowiecki was drafted out of the CJHL’s Smith Falls Bears. After being drafted, he spent three years playing for Clarkson University in the NCAA’s ECAC conference before turning pro. He has also spent time with the AHL’s Binghamton Senators.

Caption: Mark Borowiecki #74 of the Ottawa Senators warms up before the start of their NHL game against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on February 27, 2016 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images)