Gabriel Eliasson, a 6‑foot‑3 defenseman who spent the last two seasons with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, is ready to trade the junior stage for a professional contract. After posting a career‑high nine points — two goals and seven assists — in 82 OHL games last season, he says the time has come to test himself with the Ottawa Senators’ AHL affiliate in Belleville.
Learning from a Role Model
The Senators have long valued his physical brand of play and his willingness to drop the gloves, but they have also been clear that his skating and puck‑handling need refinement before he can handle the faster tempo of the American Hockey League.
To that end, Eliasson has been studying the development path of Tyler Kleven, a fellow blue‑liner who transformed a similar raw physicality into a well‑rounded NHL presence.
In a recent conversation, Kleven offered advice on tightening his game, emphasizing the importance of disciplined skating drills and smarter decision‑making with the puck.
Eliasson says the mentorship has already paid dividends, as he feels his confidence on the ice is growing and his penalty‑minute tally, once among the league leaders, is now paired with sharper skill work.
The prospect also looks forward to contributing his size and grit to the Belleville roster, hoping to earn a regular spot and eventually push for an NHL call‑up.