The Ottawa Senators have selected defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker with the 26th overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft.
This is the Senators’ second pick of Friday’s first round. They took winger Brady Tkachuk fourth overall before trading back with their second, sending No. 22 overall to the New York Rangers in exchange for No. 26 and 48.
Though not projected to go in the first round in many hockey circles, Bernard-Docker is a strong skater with a shot that looks ready for the NHL.
The six-foot, 187-pound right-shot rearguard spent the past two seasons with the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He registered 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points in 49 games, almost doubling his rookie totals, earning the title of most outstanding defenceman in the process. He followed it up with seven goals and seven assists in 15 playoff games, which led all AJHL blue liners.
Bernard-Docker, who hails from Banff, Alta, is committed to spend next season with college hockey powerhouse University of North Dakota.
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