'Just a good, friendly, competitive battle': Physicality ramps up at Ottawa Senators training camp

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOttawa SenatorsSportsHockeyNHL 'Just a good, friendly, competitive battle': Physicality ramps up at Ottawa Senators training camp In the post-Brady Tkachuk era, other players are eager to prove they remain a tenacious, hard-hitting NHL team. Author of the article: By Callum Fraser Published Sep 19, 2026 4 minute read Join the conversation Battling for a puck along the boards during a practice on Friday were, left to right, Jaxon Cover, Xavier Bourgault and Cameron Crotty. PHOTO BY TONY CALDWELL /Postmedia Article content Eyebrows were raised inside Bell Sensplex’s glass-windowed viewing areas on Saturday morning as the intensity at Ottawa Senators training camp escalated. Article content A cluster of minor-hockey players trying to pick out their favourite NHLers in the Black vs. White scrimmage were exhilarated to see Nick Cousins launch himself into rookie defenceman Hoyt Stanley on the forecheck. Ridly Greig, Stanley’s teammate for the session, returned the favour moments later. Article content Article content Article content “Just a good, friendly, competitive battle,” Greig said. “(Cousins) is always a lot of fun to play against. Article content Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “I thought the physicality definitely took a step today in the scrimmage.” Article content Tim Stutzle and Fabian Zetterlund exchanged big hits along the walls. Six-seven Gabriel Eliasson took down newcomer Eskild Bakke Olsen in one corner and refused to let him get back up on his skates before delivering a few more shoves. Article content Over two intra-squad scrimmages, there have been plenty of jawing, staredowns and extra shots. No infighting — just everyone pushing each other. Article content “Even our top guys like Timmy and Drake (Batherson) are throwing around the body,” defenceman Tyler Kleven said. “They’re playing hard, and that’s leadership. I think that everyone needs to buy into the physical aspect and be a hardworking team.” Article content Said centre Dylan Cozens: “I think that’s a big part of our identity, wearing teams down and playing hard and playing that physical game. There’s a lot of guys out there laying the body and trying to be physical. I…