Freshman sensation Blake Montgomery is officially leaving the college ranks behind, as the Ottawa Senators announced on Wednesday that the forward has signed a three-year entry-level contract.
After a single, standout season with the Wisconsin Badgers, the 20-year-old Bowie native becomes the first UW skater to turn professional after his freshman year since 2020. Montgomery, drafted 117th overall by Ottawa in 2024, has spent the last year proving why he remains one of the Sens’ most promising prospects.
He finished his NCAA career with nine goals and 17 points across 38 games, leading all Badger freshmen in scoring and helping the team reach the national championship final. Montgomery now heads to the AHL’s Belleville Senators on an amateur tryout agreement to play out the remainder of the current campaign before his three-year deal officially kicks in for the 2026-27 season.
“It’s what you dream of since you’re a kid,” Montgomery said of the signing. “I kind of can’t even believe it’s still real. I’m trying to stay calm and prepare for what’s ahead.”
The move marks the latest chapter in a whirlwind few years for the 6-foot-4 forward, who already boasts a 2025 Memorial Cup ring from his time with the London Knights. While the Madison faithful will undoubtedly miss his physical presence and scoring touch, Montgomery’s transition to the professional grind signals a new era for both the player and a rebuilding Ottawa franchise eager to integrate his high-standard “relentlessness” into their system.
