Ottawa Senators right winger Drake Batherson delivered a birthday present for assistant coach Daniel Alfredsson on Wednesday night: a natural hat trick.
A natural hat trick is when a player scores three straight goals in a game or period. Against the Anaheim Ducks, Batherson netted two goals in the first period and one in the second period. His efforts lifted the Senators to a 5-1 victory.
Alfredsson — who holds the franchise’s record for goals (426) — has been an assistant coach for the Senators since December 2023.
During his tenure, the 52-year-old has helped Batherson reach the next level. In 82 regular-season games last season, the 26-year-old registered career highs in goals (28) and points (66).
He’s off to an even better start this season. Entering Wednesday’s matchup, he had nine goals and 28 points in 27 games.
“He’s awesome,” Batherson said of Alfredsson during a recent episode of the “Sens Nation Podcast.” “The way he sees the game, I feel like, is totally different from any other coach I’ve had.”
Batherson has not made the All-Star Game since the 2021-22 season. He may make another appearance if he and the Hall of Famer continue to jell.
