The Ottawa Senators revealed on Saturday that they have signed restricted free agent forward Xavier Bourgault to a one-year, two-way contract. Bourgault spent the previous season playing for the Belleville Senators, participating in 61 games and recording 12 goals, 14 assists, and a total of 26 points. At 22 years old, Bourgault is edging closer to being regarded as a top-tier NHL prospect, having been picked 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Before turning pro, Bourgault enjoyed a distinguished junior career in the QMJHL with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Over four seasons, he amassed an impressive 206 points (97 goals and 109 assists) across 197 games. In the season following his draft, he emerged as one of the league’s most potent offensive threats, notching 75 points in 43 games and helping Shawinigan capture the Quebec Junior title in 2022.
Senators GM Steve Staios likely got a close look at Bourgault during the 2022 Memorial Cup, where the Hamilton Bulldogs played the Shawinigan Cataractes twice. That same fall, both players transitioned to the professional ranks, coinciding with Staios joining Ottawa’s management team as a special advisor for the 2022-23 season.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 179 pounds, Bourgault had a modest start in his initial two years with the Bakersfield Condors, earning 54 points in 117 games. Staios orchestrated a trade last summer, acquiring Bourgault in exchange for forward Jake Chiasson, along with Robbie Ironside, retrieving a 2025 fourth-round draft pick in return.
As Bourgault shifted from the AHL’s Bakersfield team in California to Belleville in Ontario, he shared his thoughts with the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. “I think I can always adapt in new, challenging environments,” he stated. “You don’t know many people initially, but the guys were welcoming, and overall, I enjoyed being on the ice.”
Reflecting on his 2024-25 season, Bourgault evaluated his performance: “Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with how I finished. As an offensive player, you always want to contribute and assist the team. There were definitely some ups and downs. My line towards the end with Fili and Johnny (Philip Doust and Jan Zhenic) was clicking, so I’m really happy with that.”
Looking ahead, Bourgault will aim to sustain his strong finish last season, where he notched 12 points in his final 16 AHL games, despite the uncertainty around his linemates—Doust is now a UFA, while Genic remains qualified.
Fan Take: This signing is a significant step for the Senators as they aim to solidify their prospect pool with young, skilled talent like Bourgault. Hockey fans should watch closely—if he continues to develop, Bourgault could become a key player who injects fresh energy and offensive creativity into Ottawa’s lineup, impacting the team’s future competitiveness.
