The 2020 NHL Draft starts this Tuesday and the Flyers are ready to draft some key players for their future.
While there have been many debates and articles written about who they should select with the 23rd overall pick in the first round, Senna Peeters of the Halifax Mooseheads could be a player the Flyers take in the later rounds.
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Born in Belgium, Peeters is also a native of Austria after gaining Austrian citizenship. In 2017, he left his hometown to play hockey in Salzburg, Austria in the EBJL. During that season, he tallied 36 goals and 52 assists for 88 points in 59 games played. Peeters also stood out in the EBJL playoffs with five goals and seven assists for 12 points in four games.
When did you start playing hockey and who was your favorite player growing up?
“I started playing hockey at the age of four in Belgium and my favorite player growing up was Nicklas Backstrom.”
After a season in Austria, he took a jump to come to the United States and play for Selects Academy 16U AAA, which is a team based in South Kent, Connecticut. With the Selects Academy, he posted 32 goals and 34 assists for 67 points in 57 games played. Later on in the 2018-19 season, he was drafted in the first round #48 overall by Halifax Mooseheads in the 2019 CHL Import Draft.
This season he made his decision to come to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and play for the Mooseheads. The first-Belgium born in the QMJHL had a great first season scoring 23 goals and 10 assists for 33 points in 57 games played. Peeters also had the opportunity to suit up for Team Austria at the World Junior Championship 2020. In the tournament, he tallied three goals and three assists for six total points in five games.
Can you reflect on your season with the Halifax Mooseheads?
“I really liked my first season with the Halifax Mooseheads. Halifax is a great organization and they supported me in every aspect right from the start. I had the opportunity to practice with some great hockey players every day and I learned a lot from them every practice and game.”
Who were your best influences during the season? Has anyone given you special advice during your draft year?
“I could name a lot of names right now but overall our Captain Groulx was the one that I learned the most from because he was a great leader and player on and off the ice. He really made me feel like home and helped whenever I needed it.
I think everyone helped me during my draft year especially my family because it was a big step to go from a prep school to an organization like the Mooseheads but also the staff told me to just play my game because that’s why they picked me and that is what I did and I think it worked out for me”
Peeters gives lots of credits to Anaheim Ducks prospect Benoit-Olivier Groulx for being his best influence this year. He also gives credit to his family for giving him advice during his draft year. While his father, Gert Peeters, was never drafted or played in the NHL, he did have a career in one of Belgium’s top leagues.
This year was quite crazy to say the least. In March, the whole world shut down due to COVID-19. It caused lots of chaos and ruined many people’s plans. Here is how it affected Senna:
During the long offseason due to COVID-19, were you able to get on the ice at all, and what did you focus on the most to improve your game?
“I started the offseason with only dryland to gain more power and speed. But later on during the offseason, I got back on the ice. I feel like I got way stronger in protecting the puck and cutting to the net but my best aspect is my shot so I made sure I kept working on that. Overall, I think like every player, you work on your overall game during the offseason and make sure that your best aspects of your game get even better and that is what I did.”
That is one thing Peeters does very well. He can cut to the net quick to get a scoring chance. With the Flyers in need of some net-front presence, Peeters is a strong candidate.
What do you like most about the position you play and what kind of playing style do you bring to a team?
I like playing on the wing because I can use my speed and skill to skate by the defenceman. I bring a scoring touch to a team because I like being in front of the net but I’m also able to create plays under pressure using my skill.”
This is the kind of player the Flyers could draft and develop very well. Like every player, he has some weaknesses, but with the Flyers being one of the better organizations to develop prospects, Peeters could mesh well in the orange and black.
