Senators sign Barrie Colts defenceman Gabriel Eliasson to entry-level contract

The Ottawa Senators have signed Barrie Colts defenceman Gabriel Eliasson to a three-year NHL entry-level contract beginning with the 2026-27 season.

Eliasson, 19, was selected by Ottawa in the second round, 39th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft.

The 6-foot-7, 213-pound blueliner has spent the past two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts, emerging as one of the league’s most physical and hard-to-play-against defencemen.

Eliasson played a key role on a Barrie team that has captured back-to-back Central Division titles and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final in 2025. With another playoff run set to begin Thursday against the Niagara IceDogs, Colts fans are hoping the towering defender will once again be a major presence on the back end.

In 2025-26, Eliasson recorded two goals and six assists for eight points across 61 regular season games, setting new career highs while leading the OHL in penalty minutes with 122. Over his two seasons in Barrie, he has consistently ranked among the league leaders in penalty minutes while taking on top defensive assignments and heavy minutes.

Acquired by the Colts from the Niagara IceDogs ahead of the 2024-25 season after being selected in the CHL Import Draft, Eliasson has embraced a shutdown role in North America. Known for his reach, physical edge, and willingness to defend, he has developed into a reliable penalty killer and a matchup defenceman trusted against opposing top lines.

Eliasson’s development path has been rooted in a defence-first identity, focusing on positioning, physical play, and limiting time and space for opponents. His size and style have made him a difficult player to handle in the OHL, with opposing forwards often forced to adjust when he is on the ice.

A native of Kungsbacka, Sweden, Eliasson continues to refine his game in Barrie as he works toward the next step in his career with the Senators organization.