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Stephen Halliday is signed by the Ottawa Senators on a rookie contract.

The forward Stephen Halliday has been signed by the Ottawa Senators to a two-year entry-level contract, which will begin with the 2024–25 campaign, the team announced on Friday. (Photo by Al Goldis/AP)

The forward Stephen Halliday has been signed by the Ottawa Senators to a two-year entry-level contract, which will begin with the 2024–25 campaign, the team announced on Friday. President of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios stated in a news release that Halliday “has signed an amateur tryout agreement and will report to the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators” for the 2023–2024 season.

According to the statement, Halliday, 21, a native of Ajax, Ontario, just finished his second season as a college student with the Ohio State University (Big-10) Buckeyes. He led the team in assists (26) and points (36) and finished second in goals (10). “Stephen has a good mix of size and skill, which will be very helpful to him as he advances in the professional ranks of hockey,” Staios said. We’re happy with his development and that he’s chosen to begin his professional career with the Ottawa Senators organization as a playmaker who excelled in college.

Halliday is a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award in 2024. During his two seasons as an Ohio State undergraduate, he skated in all 78 games for which he was eligible, scoring 77 points (19 goals, 58 assists) and accruing 49 penalty minutes. Halliday led the Buckeyes in scoring in both of his college seasons after being selected by the Senators in the fourth round (104th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, according to Ottawa’s hockey franchise.