Sens, Pinto ink ELC

[Brewin Flames]

Ottawa Senators sign forward Shane Pinto to entry-level contract

by Sens Communications @Media_Sens / Ottawa Senators

 April 1, 2021

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OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators announced today that the team has signed centre Shane Pinto to a three-year entry-level contract. Following a required quarantine period, Pinto will report to the Senators.

 

A native of Franklin Square, N.Y., Pinto, 20, recently completed his second season of college eligibility with the University of North Dakota (NCHC) Fighting Hawks, leading the team in goals (15) while ranking third in team scoring with a collegiate career-high 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) over 28 of his team's 29 games. He recorded 60 points (31 goals, 29 assists) and 50 penalty minutes over 61 career collegiate contests.

 

"Shane should be very proud of what was an exceptional collegiate career," said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. "He's a player with a very high work ethic who demonstrates a strong ability to play effectively in all three zones.

 

He was an elite faceoff performer at UND who possesses a great shot, including a deceptive one timer, and a knack for scoring from both in tight and from a distance."

 

The first player in NCHC history to be recognized as the conference's Forward of the Year and as its Defensive Forward of the Year on March 10, Pinto led the NCHC in multi-point contests (11), in power-play goals (seven), power-play points (13) and with a 1.22 points-per-game average.

 

He also led the conference with 308 faceoff wins and with a faceoff win percentage of 62%. The NCHC Forward of the Week on two occasions (Dec. 7 and Feb. 1), Pinto was named a top three Hobey Baker Award finalist earlier today.

 

Drafted by the Senators with the team's first of two second-round selections (32nd overall) at the 2019 NHL Draft, Pinto was named the NCHC Rookie of the Year after tallying 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists) over 33 contests in 2019-20.