"With all the attention on the competition between Jared Cowen and David Rundblad for the one spot open on defence on the Ottawa Senators' roster, Patrick Wiercioch has become the forgotten man.

It was only three years ago that he was in the same position that Cowen is in today, as one of the team's top defensive prospects.

In 2008, the year before Cowen was drafted, the 6-4, 200-pound Wiercioch was taken by the Senators in the second round, 42nd overall.

With Erik Karlsson, who was picked in the first round (15th overall) that year, and with Mark Borowiecki, a longshot who was picked in the fifth round, Wiercioch was part of an effort by general manager Bryan Murray to restock the team's defensive pool.

It has worked.

Murray has since added Cowen through the draft and Rundblad through a trade. The result is that, in three years or so, once these players all make the team and gain a bit of experience, the Senators could have the best group of defencemen in the National Hockey League."