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WILKES-BARRE — Ben Sexton had never been traded before in his five-year pro career, and he was admittedly shocked to learn that he would be changing teams last week.
But when Sexton found out that his new team would be the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, his shock quickly dissipated.
On Dec. 5, Sexton, along with Macoy Erkamps and Ryan Scarfo, were dealt by the Ottawa Senators for Tobias Lindberg and Stefan Elliott. Sexton, Erkamps and Scarfo had been playing with Belleville.
“The trade did surprise me, but once I found out I was coming here I was ecstatic,” Sexton said after Friday’s practice at the Toyota Sportsplex. “I really enjoyed my time in Belleville. A change of scenery is a fresh start.”
A fresh start may be just what Sexton needs. He notched a career-high in goals with 19 in 2016-17 with the Albany Devils, but this season has yet to find the back of the net in 17 games with Belleville.
In his first game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday in Springfield, Sexton received a vote of confidence from head coach Clark Donatelli when he put him on the ice in the shootout.
Sexton converted his attempt and the Penguins won the game, 2-1.
“A little bit of pressure there, but I didn’t want to let the boys down,” Sexton said.
Sexton, 27, has 175 AHL games under his belt, along with two NHL contests with Ottawa, but he falls under the minimum requirement for veteran player status in the AHL. That’s a luxury for Donatelli, who can play Sexton every night without having to worry about exceeding the limit for veteran players.
“That’s a plus for us. He’s going to be a part of that leadership group here,” Donatelli said. “We know what he’s capable of and we’re going to let him play his game.”
Sexton, who missed more than three months last season due to an injury, is thrilled for the opportunity to play his game and be healthy again. He also welcomes the chance to be a leader on the Penguins.
“I’m not old by any means, but I’m definitely not the young guy anymore,” Sexton said. “I love coming to the rink and being around the guys. I hold myself to a high standard and I hold those around me to the same standard.”
Notes
D Chris Summers didn’t practice on Friday and is considered week-to-week with an upper body injury.
