Senators’ Chris DiDomenico takes long route to first NHL opportunity
OTTAWA — Three years ago, Chris DiDomenico was the leading scorer for an Italian hockey team in Asiago, a small, scenic town in the foothills of the Alps.
The NHL seemed a world away for the former sixth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“That’s where people want to end their career,” the 28-year-old forward said in a recent interview. “But that might’ve jump-started my career again.”
Indeed, DiDomenico made the move from Italy to Switzerland and finally into the NHL, suiting up for his first career game last week with the Ottawa Senators almost 10 years after the Leafs made him the 164th overall pick of the 2007 draft.