I’ll always remember my first NHL game. Suns prospect Xavier Bourgaud is finally set to make his NHL debut as the Ottawa Senators face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Bourgaud, a 23-year-old from Lislet, Quebec, has waited over four years for this opportunity—an unusually long wait for a first-round draft pick from 2021. Among his fellow first-round picks from that year, only a handful, including Tyler Boucher, Chazz Lucius, Colson Culmans, and Chase Stillman, had yet to play in an NHL game until now.
Saturday’s game will mark the end of that wait, creating a memorable milestone, especially given his journey to this moment. This season, he has already scored 27 goals in 32 games, surpassing his entire goal total from last year with Belleville, where he tallied 26 points in 61 games. His impressive performance earned him a call-up to Ottawa on the morning of the game.
The path to his debut has been memorable too. Bourgaud shared that he recently traveled from Quebec City to Toronto—an eight-hour drive—just to play a game, then drove back to Belleville through a storm. After receiving a call from Ottawa, he promptly drove back to Toronto for the next game.
He expressed gratitude and excitement about finally getting this chance, acknowledging the challenges he has faced since turning pro.
Former Belleville coach David Bell anticipated Bourgaud’s breakthrough, noting injuries held him back last season, including a sore hip and wrist. Bell said Bourgaud is a dynamic player who shines when healthy, able to make game-changing plays, something he couldn’t fully do last year due to injuries.
On Saturday, Bourgaud will skate alongside veteran Nick Cousins and center Stephen Halliday, with whom he has good chemistry from their time together in Belleville. The team has also been evaluating other Belleville players like Ole Rixel, Hayden Hodgson, and Artur Kaliyev due to this season’s injury challenges, but Bourgaud stood out enough to earn his NHL shot.
Sens GM Steve Staios, who acquired Bourgaud from the Oilers in a trade involving Robbie Giarventi, was impressed by his skills even after a modest 2024-25 season. Bourgaud also showcased his talent at the 2022 Memorial Cup with the Hamilton Bulldogs, scoring seven points in four games.
Given the long and winding road that brought him here—both literally and figuratively—Xavier Bourgaud’s debut during the high-profile Battle of Ontario game in Toronto will be unforgettable.
Fan Take: This milestone is important for hockey fans because it highlights how persistence and hard work can pay off in a highly competitive sport. Bourgaud’s debut not only invigorates the Senators’ roster but also offers a hopeful narrative about player development and resilience in professional hockey.
