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1000-Game NHL Veteran Sam Gagner Signs With a New Canadian Team

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Aaron Itovitch
January 24, 2025  (10:56)
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It was announced today that 1043-game NHL veteran Sam Gagner has signed a professional tryout contract with the Belleville Senators, affiliate of the Ottawa Senators.

Sam Gagner has been without a contract this season, despite an opportunity with the Carolina Hurricanes in September.

He has now come to terms on a new professional tryout; in the AHL.

Sam Gagner Joins the Belleville Senators on a Professional Tryout

The Belleville Senators released this statement following the signing:

The Belleville Senators announced today that veteran forward Sam Gagner has agreed to a professional tryout with the American Hockey League club.

The 35-year-old from London, Ontario, was the sixth overall selection to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and comes to Belleville after playing more than 1,000 games in the National Hockey League, amassing 529 points (197 goals, 332 assists). His NHL time began with seven seasons in Edmonton before making stops with the Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets.

In 2023-24, Gagner suited up in 28 NHL games for the Oilers and recorded 10 points (five goals, five assists). He also had nine points (three goals, six assists) in 15 games with Edmonton's American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.

Gagner has also played 71 career AHL games, scoring 56 points (18 goals, 38 assists) during stints with Bakersfield, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and the Toronto Marlies. Among his international highlights, he won a gold medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and a silver medal at the 2008 IIHF World Championship.

Gagner is expected to be in the lineup tonight when the Belleville Sens host the Hershey Bears (AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals), at CAA Arena at 7:00 p.m.

Adding a player with the experience and leadership of Gagner could be crucial in the Belleville Senators going on a Calder Cup run. While his NHL days appear to be over, Gagner clearly has more hockey left in him, with his love for the game running him well into his 30s.

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1000-Game NHL Veteran Sam Gagner Signs With a New Canadian Team

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