The road to Ottawa runs through Belleville for many of the Senators' developing prospects.
The organization’s development system stretches from Ottawa to the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League and the Allen Americans of the ECHL, giving prospects multiple stops on the road to the NHL.
For Senators fans looking toward the future, Belleville in particular could be worth watching closely in 2026-27.
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Here is what Ottawa Senators fans should know about the organization's AHL and ECHL affiliates entering the 2026-27 season.
Who Are The Ottawa Senators' AHL And ECHL Affiliates?
The Belleville Senators are Ottawa's AHL affiliate, while the Allen Americans serve as the organization's ECHL affiliate.
Belleville enters its 10th season in the city in 2026-27 and provides Ottawa with an AHL development home just a few hours away.
Allen's relationship with the Senators dates to 2022, though the teams were not affiliated during the 2024-25 season. The partnership resumed in 2025-26 and was extended through the 2026-27 season in April.
Together, the three teams provide a potential path from the ECHL to the AHL and ultimately the NHL.
Why Ottawa Senators Fans Should Watch Belleville In 2026-27
Belleville gives Senators fans an opportunity to follow players who could eventually make an impact in Ottawa.
Defenseman Carter Yakemchuk is the biggest name to know. Ottawa selected him No. 7 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, and he recorded 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points in 54 games with Belleville last season.
Yakemchuk then made his NHL debut, playing four regular-season games for Ottawa and recording a goal and an assist.
He enters training camp with an opportunity to earn a regular NHL job, meaning a return to Belleville isn't guaranteed. If he does make Ottawa's roster, however, his rise would be another example of Belleville serving as the final development stop before the NHL.
Ottawa Senators Prospects To Watch In Belleville
Kasper Halttunen: Halttunen joined the Senators organization in June as part of the trade with the San Jose Sharks that also brought William Eklund and Brandon Svoboda to Ottawa. The 6-foot-3 winger scored 16 goals and recorded 35 points in 69 AHL games with the San Jose Barracuda last season. NHL.com projects him to begin 2026-27 in Belleville.
Hoyt Stanley: Stanley got his first taste of professional hockey with Belleville last season after finishing his college career at Cornell. The 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman played six games for Belleville and scored one goal. Now under contract with Ottawa, Stanley has an opportunity to begin his first full professional season in 2026-27.
Eskild Bakke-Olsen: The Norwegian forward signed a one-year entry-level contract with Ottawa in June after playing professionally in Europe. The 24-year-old recorded 32 points for Linköping HC in Sweden last season and helped Norway win bronze at the 2026 IIHF Men's World Championship.
Jaxon Cover Gives Senators Fans Another Prospect To Follow
Ottawa's newest first-round pick isn't expected to play in Belleville this season, but Jaxon Cover is another name Senators fans should know. Cover is officially on Chris Peter's Top Prospects to Watch in 2026.
Ottawa selected Cover No. 32 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft after he recorded 52 points in 67 games as an OHL rookie with the London Knights.
The 18-year-old then produced seven points during Ottawa's two-game Prospect Challenge in September, including two goals and two assists against Montreal.
Cover is expected to continue developing in junior hockey, making him more of a name for the future than a likely Belleville player in 2026-27.
What's New With The Belleville Senators In 2026-27?
Andrew Campbell enters the season as Belleville's full-time head coach after taking over on an interim basis in December 2025.
His task is twofold: continue developing players for Ottawa and get Belleville back into the Calder Cup Playoffs after missing the postseason last season.
Belleville also has a new North Division opponent in 2026-27. The expansion Hamilton Hammers join the AHL this season and will visit Belleville on Oct. 2 for the Senators' season opener.
Who Are The Allen Americans?
The Allen Americans are Ottawa's ECHL affiliate and provide another level in the organization's professional development system.
Allen is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and enters its second consecutive season as Ottawa's ECHL affiliate after the partnership resumed in 2025.
The Americans are led by head coach and general manager Steve Martinson, who oversaw a major turnaround last season.
Allen improved from 43 points in 2024-25 to 92 points in 2025-26, finishing 43-23-6-0. The Americans then beat the Idaho Steelheads in the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs before falling to the Kansas City Mavericks in the Mountain Division Final.
Ottawa organization players Djibril Toure and Landen Hookey appeared for Allen during the playoff run, showing how the ECHL can fit into the Senators' development system.
How The Ottawa Senators' Affiliate System Fits Together
For Ottawa, the affiliate map provides multiple levels for player development.
Allen offers an ECHL destination where developing professionals can earn playing time, Belleville provides the final minor-league step before the NHL, and Ottawa sits at the top.
For Senators fans, that makes the organization's affiliates places to watch for who might be coming next.
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