Last season, Sam Gagner’s journey came full circle as he returned to the team that first drafted him the Edmonton Oilers. Brought in on a professional tryout and eventually signed to a league-minimum contract, it seemed like the perfect conclusion to his NHL career, playing one final season with the Oilers before retiring.
But Gagner wasn’t ready to call it quits. Despite a season filled with career lows, including just 28 games played, 10 points, and an average of 10:13 ice time per game, he wasn’t ready to give up. As noted by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in June, Gagner was determined to find another opportunity.
True to his word, Gagner first had a tryout with the Carolina Hurricanes, but was ultimately released. Now, according to Sportsnet, he’s signed a professional tryout with the Belleville Senators, the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators.
Though he’s now with a rival Canadian organization, it’s hard not to root for the 35-year-old Gagner, especially considering his deep ties to the Oilers. Over his three tenures in Edmonton, he accumulated 327 points in 570 games.
While Gagner may not have reached the heights expected from a sixth overall pick in 2007, his longevity in the NHL speaks to his resilience. Surviving 17 seasons in the league and still pursuing his dream at 35 is a testament to his drive.
Whether or not he’ll make a permanent stay in Belleville remains uncertain, but his experience, work ethic, and leadership should give him a strong shot. Recently, he showed he’s still active, captaining Team Canada at the Spengler Cup last month.
Gagner has already made an impact, debuting with the Senators in their AHL game against the Hershey Bears, contributing an assist in a 4-3 overtime victory, along with three shots and two penalty minutes.
