Montgomery signs with NHL's Ottawa Senators
April 15, 2026 | Men's Hockey
2025 fourth-round pick turns pro after his freshman season
MADISON, Wis. – Freshman forward Blake Montgomery is turning pro after his freshman year with the Badgers, signing a three-year entry-level contract that begins with the 2026-27 season, the franchise announced on Wednesday.
The forward was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft at 117th overall.
Montgomery will play out the balance of the season with the AHL's Belleville Senators on an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) contract.
"It means everything," Montgomery said about signing with Ottawa. "It's what you dream of since you're a kid. You watch the NHL growing up. It's pretty surreal for it to be happening. I kind of can't even believe it's still real. I'm trying to stay kind of calm and prepare for what's coming ahead. It's very exciting.
"My family might be more excited than me. They're pumped up. They're happy for everything. All the time and all what they put in as well other family members - anyone who helped me get to this point, the credit goes to them just as much as the time and work I put in myself."
Montgomery becomes the first UW skater to turn pro after his freshman year since 2020, when forward Alex Turcotte signed an entry-level contract with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.
He finishes his NCAA career with nine goals and 17 points in 38 games played. His nine goals were tied for fifth on the roster and led all UW freshmen. His 17 points ranked fourth among Badger rookies.
From Oct. 25-Nov. 8, the Bowie, Maryland, native tallied five goals in five games after notching his first NCAA goal versus Alaska on Oct. 25, earning Big Ten Star of the Week nods on Nov. 4 (first star) and Nov. 25 (second star).
Before starting his NCAA career, Montgomery played for both the USHL's Lincoln Stars and OHL's London Knights in 2024-25, helping the Knights to an OHL Championship title and their second consecutive Hamilton Spectator trophy, given to the OHL regular season champions. He also notched one goal and two points in five games played to help the Knights win the 2025 Memorial Cup.
The forward was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft at 117th overall.
Montgomery will play out the balance of the season with the AHL's Belleville Senators on an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) contract.
"It means everything," Montgomery said about signing with Ottawa. "It's what you dream of since you're a kid. You watch the NHL growing up. It's pretty surreal for it to be happening. I kind of can't even believe it's still real. I'm trying to stay kind of calm and prepare for what's coming ahead. It's very exciting.
"My family might be more excited than me. They're pumped up. They're happy for everything. All the time and all what they put in as well other family members - anyone who helped me get to this point, the credit goes to them just as much as the time and work I put in myself."
Montgomery becomes the first UW skater to turn pro after his freshman year since 2020, when forward Alex Turcotte signed an entry-level contract with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.
He finishes his NCAA career with nine goals and 17 points in 38 games played. His nine goals were tied for fifth on the roster and led all UW freshmen. His 17 points ranked fourth among Badger rookies.
From Oct. 25-Nov. 8, the Bowie, Maryland, native tallied five goals in five games after notching his first NCAA goal versus Alaska on Oct. 25, earning Big Ten Star of the Week nods on Nov. 4 (first star) and Nov. 25 (second star).
Before starting his NCAA career, Montgomery played for both the USHL's Lincoln Stars and OHL's London Knights in 2024-25, helping the Knights to an OHL Championship title and their second consecutive Hamilton Spectator trophy, given to the OHL regular season champions. He also notched one goal and two points in five games played to help the Knights win the 2025 Memorial Cup.
"It taught me a lot being here," Montgomery said. "It taught me about discipline, relentlessness and it added maturity to my game.
"I take the friendships and memories I made and will never take for granted the time I spent in Madison. I'm so proud of this group. Nobody expected us to get to where we did, so for us to get there, I'm just so proud."
Players Mentioned
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