Generals feature CHL-leading three players competing in Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
Playing to a 22-16-3-1 record, good for second in the East Division this season, the Oshawa Generals are in peak form with wins in seven of their last eight games.
A big reason for that success, draft eligibles Ben Danford, Beckett Sennecke, and Luca Marrelli are set to make their mark at the 2024 NHL/CHL Top Prospects Game tonight in Moncton, NB.
“I don’t think there’s another team in the CHL this year with three guys,” said Danford. “It’s pretty cool. And to go through this whole process together, the upcoming Draft and all that, I think it’s going to be a really amazing experience. We all have each other’s backs and we’re always there to help each other out with advice, so I think it benefits us all.”
“It’s unreal, it helps to feel more comfortable at the event because you have a couple of buddies there. Just to be able to see some of your teammates succeed while you’re going through the process with them, it’s always fun,” added Marrelli.
Beckett Sennecke is ready to bring his best for Team White in tonight's @KubotaCanadaLtd CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game! 🎥#CHLKTP | @Oshawa_Generals | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/X8rWFlWSLn
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 24, 2024
Impacted by some early-season injuries, the Generals got out to a slow start, but have found their game of late as they’ve gradually climbed their way up the Eastern Conference standings.
“Oshawa is such a high-end organization with so much history, so to be able to play there, it’s amazing,” commented Danford.
Having developed familiarity throughout the regular season, the Generals will now find themselves on opposing sides, as Sennecke and Marrelli prepare to face off against their teammate in Wednesday’s matchup.
“Danny will do anything for the team. He sacrifices his body all the time. He lays hits and he’s just an amazingly talented defenceman. Always sacrifices for the team and I think the coaches really appreciate that,” said Sennecke.
“He’s such a great skater, so physical. I’ve played with him a lot this year and it’s honestly a pleasure to be alongside him,” added Marrelli.
Having shared the ice in numerous matchups this season, Marelli and Danford have closely observed each other’s playing styles, picking up on each other’s habits.
“For a majority of the season we’ve been able to play together, I think our game’s clicked really well,” said Danford. “He’s a 200-foot guy like me, competes hard offensively. He’s really talented as well. He’s got great hockey sense, can make great reads and make good plays, so I really love playing with him. He’s a great player and a great person as well.”
"It's such a big game and it's such an honour to be here. It's pretty easy to get excited for."@Oshawa_Generals defenceman Ben Danford will represent Team Red in tonight's @KubotaCanadaLtd CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. #CHLKTP pic.twitter.com/o6bfr6Xdjt
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 24, 2024
Registering 38 points (15-23-38) across 39 games played this season, Sennecke stands out as one of the 11 OHL forwards chosen to participate in the event.
“Beckett, he’s just so crafty. He’s got the puck literally on a string. He makes such great plays and so good offensively,” said Marrelli.
Watch the Generals trio take the ice at the 2024 Top Prospects Game, airing live in Canada from the Avenir Centre on TSN, TSN.ca, the TSN App, RDS and RDS.ca starting at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT. Meanwhile, in the United States, the game will air live on NHL Network, while viewers outside of Canada can catch all the action on CHL TV.