A native of Whitefish, Mont., Sanderson, 21, will enter his second professional campaign in 2023-24 after skating in all but five of the team’s regular-season contests last season and registering 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) to rank second among Senators defencemen in scoring. Alongside Buffalo’s Owen Power, he was named to the National Hockey League’s All-Rookie Team on defence at season’s end.

“Jake’s transition to the pro game has been flawless,” said Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. “He’s a very mature young man who demonstrates a routine and skillful ability to play important minutes with poise. An effortless skater who holds himself to a high standard, he has the talent to be one of the best all-around defencemen in the NHL for years to come. We’re very pleased to have another significant member of our core group of players under long-term contract.”

A two-season standout at the University of North Dakota (NCHC), Sanderson was recognized as a Second-Team All-NCHC honoree upon the conclusion of 2021-22 conference play despite being limited to only 10 conference games on account of having represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship (where he served as American captain) and at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Ottawa’s second of three first-round selections (fifth overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, Sanderson is now under contract with the Senators for the next nine seasons.