Zack Ostapchuk got the call on Monday, March 11, from the coach of the Belleville Sens, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL Ottawa Senators.
Ostapchuk, the former Vancouver Giants captain, would be making his National Hockey League debut against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Senators called up Ostapchuk after centre Rourke Chartier suffered an upper-body injury against the San Jose Sharks and winger Parker Kelly was serving a two-game ban.
"I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life, it was probably the coolest night of my life."
B次元官网网址� Ottawa Senators (@Senators)
Zack Ostapchuk on making his NHL debut
B次元官网网址淢y dream as a little kid is coming true tonight,B次元官网网址� Ostapchuk told reporters during a pre-game scrum posted online by the Senators.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a really special moment for me and my mom. IB次元官网网址檓 just excited I could share that with her. B次元官网网址�
It was an emotional experience when Ostapchuk phoned Charlene, a single mom, who used to get up early to drive him to the rink.
B次元官网网址淪he was a little surprised at first, then she got choked up, and so did I,B次元官网网址� Ostapchuk recalled.
B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 thank her enough,B次元官网网址� he said.
Charlene grabbed a flight to Ottawa to see her son play.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 his dream,B次元官网网址� she told a TSN interviewer.
B次元官网网址淗e just loves the game. ItB次元官网网址檚 his passion.B次元官网网址�
Wearing number 38, Ostapchuk took the traditional solo lap for rookies playing their first game in the NHL
Then, playing in his first NHL game, the centre cut off a pass going to Sidney Crosby in overtime that ultimately led to a game-winning goal and an 2-1 victory for Ottawa.
B次元官网网址淚t was probably the coolest night of my life,B次元官网网址� Ostapchuk said afterwards.
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Ostapchuk, a former Giants captain and MVP, was described as B次元官网网址渁 talented, driven player and an explosive skater B次元官网网址� by WHL Giants GM Barclay Parneta when the then-15-year-old signed with the Langley-based team in 2018.
In 2021 Ostapchuk signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Senators.
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