Ottawa Senators Sign Ohio State's Ryan Dzingel

The Ottawa Senators announced on Wednesday morning that they have agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with Ohio State junior forward Ryan Dzingel. Dzingel was a 7th round choice of the Senators, 204th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Dzingel improved both statistically and as an overall player in each of his three seasons with the Buckeyes, culminating in an outstanding junior campaign where he led the Big Ten conference in scoring with 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points. Dzingel's offensive prowess didn't take away from his play on the defensive end of the ice either. The gritty, two-way center was very effective on both ends of the ice. His play has made him one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's highest honor.

Dzingel came in at #26 on our list of the Top 100 NHL Prospects in the NCAA this year. Here's what we had to say about him:

26. Ryan Dzingel, Forward, Ohio State (Ottawa Senators)

Dzingel does a little bit of everything for Ohio State. A year after posting a more-than-respectable 38 points in 40 games, Dzingel looks poised to blow past that mark this year as his team’s leading scorer. He’s also a defensive terror on the ice while playing the center position, and plays with a grittiness that would allow him to play any role at the pro level.