Drake Batherson

BIOGRAPHY

Drake Batherson was born April 27, 1998, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a forward in the NHL.

Batherson began the 2018–19 season with the Senators' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators. After recording 20 points in 14 games, he was recalled by Ottawa on November 12. Batherson made his NHL debut with the club on November 15. He scored his first career NHL goal (a game-winning goal) on his first shot in a 2–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He would record 3 goals and eight points before being returned to the AHL on December 18.

Batherson found immediate success in the AHL and was later selected to participate in the 2019 AHL All-Star Game, where he scored five goals for the North Division and was named MVP. On February 8, 2019, Batherson set a Belleville Senators franchise record for most goals by a rookie in a season when he scored his 12th goal of the season.

In 2019–20, Batherson split the season between Belleville and Ottawa. In 2020–21, Batherson made the Ottawa roster out of training camp. In February 2021, Batherson tied the Ottawa Senators' all-time record of scoring goals in six consecutive games.

On September 3, 2021, Batherson signed a six-year, $29.85 million contract with the Senators. He was selected to participate in the 2022 NHL All-Star Game. However, after being injured by an unexpected hit from Buffalo Sabres goaltender Aaron Dell, he was unable to attend the event.