Q & A Featuring Senators’ Prospect Stephen Halliday

Selected 104th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Stephan Halliday’s stock is on the rise. Fresh off his 95-point (35 goals, 60 assists) 2021-22 campaign with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League, the 21-year-old centre led the NCAA Big 10 Conference Ohio State Buckeyes in points (41) and assists (32).

Measuring six-foot-four, 215 pounds, Halliday utilizes his size and reach to shield opponents and find his teammates in open spaces.

Halliday is certainly a Senators’ prospect to keep tabs on this upcoming season, and Full Press Hockey caught up with the 21-year-old at Senators Development Camp this past weekend.

This is your second development camp, are players leaning on you for experience?

“I wouldn’t say I’m like a huge veteran guy, but I know I’ve got guys like “Klev” (Tyler Kleven) who played games obviously, and then guys like Jorian (Donovan) have been around. I’ve been here for a couple of weeks with “Bouch” (Tyler Boucher) and “Jory” and just training with those guys. So, it’s been pretty nice to get to know this development staff. I know a couple of the new guys, talking to the new draft picks. They all seem like they’re hard-working guys and they’re really excited that they’re part of the organization too.”

It was your birthday Sunday, were you able to celebrate during camp?

“Not much I just got of out testing, so maybe that was a good birthday present. A couple of boys and myself went out to dinner but nothing too special.”

You had just turned 20 when you were drafted. Were you a late-bloomer in your career?

“Yeah, for sure, I think I figured out how to be a better pro. I dropped like 35 pounds, so that helped with skating and all that stuff. That was a big thing for me. And then obviously I had a really good coach, Greg Brown (at Dubuque USHL). He’s actually the head coach at Boston College now. I attribute a lot to him. After that, I kind of attribute a lot to Jeremy (Hoy). Jeremy is the strength and conditioning coach at OSU. He’s always talking about stuff to do off-ice and on-ice, and becoming a pro. I’m really excited to show them (Senators), they made a good choice.” 

When did Ohio State start recruiting you?

“I had a pretty good year, the year that I got drafted in. These guys were actually on me the year before. So I kind of felt that they were on me when I was kind of at my lowest a little bit,  so I owe a lot to (head coach) Steve Rohlik, (assistant coach) J.B. Bittne for believing in me and I’m hoping I can repay them with a national championship someday during my time there. They were with me from the beginning, so it was an easy choice.”

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How was your experience in your freshman season at Ohio State?

“It was a really good experience. A lot of seniors like Jaedon Leslie, Jake Wise, Tate Singleton – they really helped me get accustomed to the college game. My linemates and Tate did a lot of extra work which has also helped me become a little bit more familiar with the game. Leslie took me under his wing a little bit, showed me school is part of it too. He showed me to my classes and stuff.  It was a pretty good year on ice, but I think a lot of it also happened off the ice.”

In your final season in the USHL you recorded 60 assists and last year you led OSU with 32 assists, are you working on attempting to change your mindset from being a pass-first player?

“I’m trying to work on it with (Senators development coach) Shean Donovan to try to get my shot a little bit better. Sometimes I pass a little too much, but I would also say that would be one of my biggest strengths.”

Growing up in Ajax, ON were you a Maple Leafs fan? Do you have a favourite player?

“Oh, yeah, this is a good story. My dad was a huge Leafs fan. And I just kind of cheered against every team that played the Leafs. I like to watch a lot of different players to kind of pick stuff out of each of their games that’ll help me. I wouldn’t say one. I like to watch like (Auston) Matthews – obviously, he’s a centre, a big guy – obviously has a really good shot. Maybe try to be like him because I want to get a better shot, obviously. Tage Thompson is a good one too. I’m always trying add stuff.”