Drake Batherson Bio
Drake Batherson (born April 27, 1998) is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a right winger for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round, 121st overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Batherson has developed into a reliable scoring forward and one of the club’s core young players. Standing 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) and weighing 85 kg (187 lb), he combines size with a strong shot and a willingness to drive play in all three zones.
Early Life and Background
Drake Batherson was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on April 27, 1998, while his father Norm Batherson was playing for the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL. Because of his father’s lengthy professional career, Drake spent part of his early childhood in Germany, where Norm played seven seasons of pro hockey with four different teams after his North American career had ended. This unusual upbringing exposed Drake to multiple hockey cultures and styles from a young age.
After Norm retired from professional hockey in 2006, the family settled in New Minas, in the Annapolis Valley region of western Nova Scotia, Canada. Drake was raised there and developed his game in the local minor hockey system. His time in Germany and his family’s deep hockey roots helped shape his approach to the sport and gave him a mature perspective on the demands of a professional career.
Path to Hockey
Batherson began his competitive junior career with the Valley Wildcats of the Maritime Hockey League during the 2014–15 season. His play caught the attention of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) scouts, and he was selected in the sixth round, 97th overall, by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft. He split the 2015–16 season between the Wildcats and the Screaming Eagles, gradually adjusting to the faster pace and higher skill level of the QMJHL.
Heading into the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Batherson was ranked 117th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Service. He was considered undersized at the time, which contributed to him sliding into the middle rounds. On October 3, 2017, the Ottawa Senators signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract, beginning his professional pathway. He returned to major junior for the 2017–18 season, splitting the year between the Screaming Eagles and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
Drake Batherson Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Batherson began the 2018–19 season with the Senators’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators. After recording 20 points in 14 games, he was recalled by Ottawa on November 12, 2018. He made his NHL debut on November 15, 2018, and scored his first career NHL goal on his first shot, a game-winning tally in a 2–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He recorded three goals and eight points before being returned to the AHL on December 18, 2018.
Back in Belleville, Batherson found immediate success and was selected to participate in the 2019 AHL All-Star Game, where he scored five goals for the North Division and was named Most Valuable Player. On February 8, 2019, he set a Belleville Senators franchise record for most goals by a rookie in a season when he scored his 12th goal of the campaign. The strong finish cemented his status as one of the Senators’ top forward prospects.
NHL Breakthrough (2019–2022)
In 2019–20, Batherson split the season between Belleville and Ottawa, continuing to refine his two-way game. During the 2019–20 AHL season, he was again chosen for the 2020 AHL All-Star Game after leading the league in scoring. While in Belleville, he set franchise records for goals, assists, and points, demonstrating his offensive ceiling at the professional level.
Batherson made the Ottawa roster out of training camp for the 2020–21 NHL season. In February 2021, he tied the Ottawa Senators’ all-time record by scoring goals in six consecutive games. He finished the season tied for second on the team with 17 goals and fourth in points with 36 in 56 games. On September 3, 2021, the Senators signed him to a six-year, $29.85 million contract extension, signaling their long-term commitment to his development.
On October 27, 2021, Batherson scored his first NHL career hat trick against goaltender Ilya Samsonov in a 7–5 loss to the Washington Capitals. He was selected to participate in the 2022 NHL All-Star Game, but an unexpected hit from Buffalo Sabres goaltender Aaron Dell on January 26, 2022, caused an injury that forced him to miss the event. He returned to play on March 26, 2022, against the Florida Panthers after missing two months, and finished the 2021–22 season with 44 points in 46 games.
Ottawa Senators Era (2022–Present)
Batherson struggled early in the 2022–23 season, producing 2 goals and 6 points in 14 November games, but the campaign marked the first time he played the full NHL schedule with Ottawa. In March 2023, he stated publicly that it was the first time his ankle had felt right since the 2022 injury. His resilience and consistency helped stabilize the Senators’ top-six forward group as the team continued its rebuild.
Driving Style and Strengths
Batherson is recognized for his powerful shot, his willingness to attack the middle of the offensive zone, and his responsible two-way play. He excels as a power-play contributor and uses his 6 ft 3 in frame to win battles along the boards and protect the puck in the cycle. His skating and shooting mechanics have improved steadily, making him a versatile right winger capable of playing in all situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Batherson’s signature moments are his first NHL goal on his first shot against the Detroit Red Wings, his first NHL hat trick against the Washington Capitals, and his tying of the Senators’ consecutive games with a goal record in 2021. He was also a two-time AHL All-Star Game participant and the 2019 AHL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player.
Drake Batherson Career Wins
Drake Batherson has accumulated an impressive list of statistical milestones and records across the QMJHL, AHL, and NHL since beginning his professional career in 2018. His scoring touch and consistency have produced franchise records at multiple levels.
NHL Highlights
Since his debut in 2018, Batherson has developed into a top-six forward for the Ottawa Senators, signing a long-term contract extension in 2021. He scored his first NHL hat trick in 2021 and tied the Senators’ record for consecutive games with a goal in 2021. He was also selected to the 2022 NHL All-Star Game before injury forced his withdrawal.
Other Wins & Performances
In the QMJHL, Batherson led the league in playoff scoring in 2018 with 13 goals and 20 assists while playing for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, who finished the regular season with the best overall record in the league. In the AHL, he set Belleville Senators franchise records for goals, assists, and points by a rookie, and he was named the 2019 AHL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player.
Drake Batherson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Batherson family. His father, Norm Batherson, is a former professional player who once played for the Ottawa Senators organization with the Prince Edward Island Senators and the Thunder Bay Senators. His uncle, Dennis Vial, played several seasons with Ottawa in the 1990s and was one of the NHL’s most frequent fighters during that era. His great uncle is Canadian Juno Award-nominated musician Matt Minglewood.
Personal Life
Drake Batherson currently resides in New Minas, Nova Scotia, Canada. He holds dual Canadian and American citizenship, owing to his birth in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His sister Mae Batherson was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 PWHL Draft by PWHL Minnesota, continuing the family’s strong connection to hockey.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NHL season, Drake Batherson remains a key contributor for the Ottawa Senators as the club pushes to end its lengthy playoff drought. His role on the top power-play unit and his chemistry with the Senators’ young core are expected to drive much of the team’s offensive production. A full, healthy campaign would represent an important step in his continued development as a top-line winger.
Batherson’s veteran presence, combined with his established scoring track record, makes him a central figure in the Senators’ pursuit of a postseason berth. His ability to produce at even strength and on special teams will be closely watched as the team evaluates its competitive position in the Eastern Conference.