In any NHL season there are surprise players on each team. Meaning they perform much better than expected. For the Ottawa Senators, it has been Chris DiDomenico so far.

Chris DiDomenico is the definition of a journeyman. He has been around a variety of leagues throughout his career, hoping that one day he would get a shot in the NHL. Now he’s finally getting his shot with the Ottawa Senators and he’s running with it.

Early Years

DiDomenico was never expected to make the NHL, he was a sixth round pick in 2007 by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Following being drafted he spent his remaining years of eligibility in junior. Prior to turning professional he was included in a trade that sent him to the Chicago Blackhawks. Once with the Blackhawks he made is professional debut in the AHL.

Moving To Europe

He spent the next two seasons bouncing between the AHL and ECHL, never being able to gain a footing in the AHL. Unable to make progress in North America and his NHL hopes fading, DiDomenico opted to move to Switzerland. It was there he would spend five years improving his game.

His final two seasons in Europe he established himself as a solid scoring option in the best league in Switzerland. At this time, he was beginning to gain NHL interest and his old junior coach Guy Boucher was the new head coach of the Ottawa Senators. He was then signed to the Ottawa Senators in the beginning of 2017.

The NHL

Although he only played three games with the Sens last season he gained valuable experience. Then this year with the Ottawa Senators struggling with injuries he was recalled from the AHL. Since being recalled he has been great for the Sens. He has five points in five games which includes the first two goals of his NHL career. Although it’s early for DiDomenico, the Ottawa Senators may have found a gem for the next few years.