Philippe Daoust ready to take on bigger role with Belleville Senators

Credit: Freestyle Photography

After a strong preseason, Philippe Daoust is eager to get back to playing meaningful hockey. The 23-year-old forward is excited for the chance to take on a bigger role with the Belleville Senators.

Since being selected by Ottawa in the sixth round (158th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Daoust has battled his share of injuries. Last season, he bounced back, appearing in a career-high 52 games and recording 22 points.

His strong performance led to him signing a one-year AHL contract for the 2025–26 season. For Daoust, the decision to return this fall was an easy one.

“I’m really comfortable here,” Daoust said who is entering his fifth season in the Friendly City. “The coaching staff. They’re great teachers. After missing out on playoffs last year, I wanted to come back and help this group make a deep push.”

That belief in the organization has helped Daoust develop his game.

“I’ve been through a couple tough years with injuries,” he said. “But I feel stronger and more comfortable now. That’s showing in my game, and the coaches have noticed, giving me more responsibility on the penalty kill and power play.”

Like most teams in September, Belleville’s preseason was about building chemistry. The Senators wrapped up their exhibition schedule this weekend with a pair of tough losses, falling 5-2 to the Laval Rocket on Friday night before being shutout 2-0 by the Toronto Marlies on Sunday afternoon.

Daoust was noticeable in both games. He not only scored a goal but also got involved physically, including a fighting major.

“Everyone was just trying to shake the rust off,” Daoust said. “We played well, just couldn’t find the net. These games are about getting back into real game situations so when the season starts, we’re ready.”

Daoust spent his preseason between Ottawa and Belleville and has worked on implementing lessons from both camps with a focus on puck protection, body positioning, and getting comfortable under pressure again.

Head Coach David Bell has emphasized a structured, disciplined style of hockey, something Daoust says the team has bought into fully.

“Puck management is a huge thing,” Daoust said. “There’s a time and place to make those skill plays, but you’ve got to be smart, especially around the offensive blue line. Coach Bell’s really on us about that.”

That attention to detail carries over into Belleville’s forecheck, where Daoust’s skating and awareness make him effective in creating turnovers and sustaining offensive pressure. The physical side of the game, he says, isn’t going anywhere either.

“We’ve got an edge in our game,” he said. “We want to be physical and bring that element every night. Maybe not as many fights or penalties once the season starts, but we’ll be ready to play hard.”

Belleville’s roster this season features plenty of new faces and youthful energy something Daoust sees as a major strength. With his experience, he’s now one of the players his younger teammates can look to.

“We’ve got a young group with a lot of talent and skill,” he said. “We’re going to be a fun team to watch. We want to make a strong push for the playoffs, and we know we’ve got the group to do it.”

“I’ve been itching to get going. “I think we’ve got the team to go far this year, and I just can’t wait to get started.”