There's nothing like a player's first NHL game, and for 20-year-old Drake Batherson it was even more special as he netted his first career goal in the Ottawa Senators' 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Batherson, who saw time on the top line with Ryan Dzingel and Matt Duchene, fired a wrist shot off a faceoff win past Jimmy Howard for a power-play goal in the second period.
"Couldn't draw it up any better for a night to happen like this to score a goal in my first NHL game," Batherson said postgame. "It's something I've dreamed about since I was a kid scoring my first goal and having my whole family here . . . It's a special night, one I'll never forget, that's for sure."
MORE Drake Batherson tears down the door, earns call-up to Senators
Batherson — who jumped into the spotlight with his play at last year's IIHF World Junior Championship — recorded 20 points in 14 games with the Senators' AHL affiliate in Belleville this season prior to his call-up. He scored seven goals at the junior tournament in Buffalo and was Canada's highest-scoring player as it captured the gold medal.
.@sportingnewsca Drake Batherson's first #NHL goal is a GWG. #Sens pic.twitter.com/l0oMZcxIi8
— Murray Pam (@Pammerhockey) November 16, 2018
Drake Batherson became the sixth player in @Senators franchise history to score his first career goal in his NHL debut and the second to do so this season: Maxime Lajoie (Oct. 4 vs. CHI). #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/0wjay7W1t8
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 16, 2018
Batherson was named the game's first star thanks to his game-winning goal (he's the first Senator to score a game-winner in his first NHL game). He noted the puck won't be staying in Ottawa. It'll head home with his family to Nova Scotia so it can be shown to his grandparents.