Mads Søgaard Bio
Mads Søgaard is a Danish professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall, he uses his size and left-catching style to cover the net with a long reach. Selected 37th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Søgaard has developed into one of Denmark’s most promising goaltending prospects.
Born in Aalborg, Denmark, Søgaard began his career in his home country before moving to North America as a teenager to pursue higher-level competition. After stops in junior and minor professional leagues, he made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators in April 2022. He has since split time between Ottawa and Belleville, working toward a full-time NHL role.
Early Life and Background
Mads Søgaard was born on 13 December 2000 in Aalborg, Denmark, a city known in his home country for producing hockey talent. Growing up in Denmark, he was introduced to ice hockey at a young age and progressed through the country’s youth development system. His tall frame made goaltending a natural fit, and he advanced through local programs in the Aalborg area before moving on to club hockey.
Denmark’s hockey infrastructure gave Søgaard a strong technical foundation, with the country’s top professional league, the Metal Ligaen, offering a stepping stone for young players. By his mid-teens, scouts in North America had taken notice of the young netminder, and an opportunity to play in a more competitive environment arose. That opportunity ultimately took him across the Atlantic Ocean in 2017.
Path to Hockey
In 2017, Søgaard moved to North America and joined the Austin Bruins of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), a top junior league for players aiming to reach college or major-junior hockey. He appeared in 22 games for the Bruins during the 2017–18 season, gaining valuable experience against older competition and adjusting to the North American style of play.
His performance in the NAHL caught the attention of Canadian Hockey League (CHL) scouts, and in 2018 he was selected 32nd overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Søgaard joined the Tigers for the 2018–19 season and quickly established himself as one of the top goaltending prospects in the WHL. After his first WHL campaign, he was ranked as the second-best North American-based goaltender by NHL Central Scouting, which set the stage for his NHL draft selection in 2019.
Mads Søgaard Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Søgaard’s first season in North America with the Austin Bruins during 2017–18 served as his introduction to the faster, more physical style of Canadian and American hockey. The experience prepared him for major-junior competition, and his transition to the Medicine Hat Tigers went smoothly. With the Tigers, he posted strong numbers and earned the praise of scouts for his poise, size, and athleticism between the pipes.
Selected by the Ottawa Senators in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Søgaard briefly returned to Denmark to play for Esbjerg Energy in the Metal Ligaen during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season. In 16 games with Energy, he recorded a 10–5–1 mark, a 2.58 goals-against average (GAA), and a .922 save percentage, an impressive start to his professional career. He then joined the Belleville Senators midway through the pandemic-affected season, opening his AHL tenure with seven consecutive wins.
Medicine Hat Tigers Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Joining the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2018 gave Søgaard a full major-junior platform to showcase his abilities against some of the best young players in North America. Over his WHL tenure, he became a workhorse for the Tigers, logging heavy minutes and helping the team compete in the league’s tough Central Division. His frame, lateral movement, and calmness in high-pressure situations made him a difficult goaltender to beat.
By the end of his time in the WHL, Søgaard had cemented his status as a legitimate NHL prospect. His draft ranking as the second-best North American goaltender reflected a season of consistent performance and steady improvement. The decision by Ottawa to invest a second-round pick in him signaled the organization’s belief that he could eventually develop into an NHL starter.
Belleville Senators Era (2020–Present)
Søgaard joined the Belleville Senators in 2020 and quickly impressed, opening his AHL career with a 7–0–0 record. On 13 April 2021, Ottawa signed him to a three-year entry-level contract, locking in his development path with the organization. During the 2021–22 season with Belleville, he posted a 16–13–1 record with a 2.87 GAA and a .906 save percentage in 31 games, earning his first NHL recall.
He made his NHL debut on 1 April 2022, earning a 5–2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings and becoming only the second Danish goaltender in NHL history after Frederik Andersen. On 1 March 2023, Søgaard was named NHL Rookie of the Month after going 4–0–1 with a 2.33 GAA and a .922 save percentage in February. On 10 April 2023, he and Andersen made NHL history as the first two Danish goaltenders to face each other in a league game.
Ottawa Senators Recall (2023–2024)
Assigned to Belleville to begin the 2023–24 season, Søgaard opened the year by being named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for October 2023 after going 3–1–0 with a 1.73 GAA and a .944 save percentage. He was recalled by Ottawa on 12 January 2024 following an injury to Anton Forsberg and made his season debut on 16 January in a 7–4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Søgaard picked up his first win of the 2023–24 season on 21 January over the Philadelphia Flyers. After four appearances, he was returned to Belleville during the NHL All-Star break, then recalled again in March when Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo both became unavailable. On 14 March 2024, a win over the Utica Comets broke the Belleville Senators’ franchise record for single-season wins, surpassing the mark previously held by Filip Gustavsson.
Re-signed with Ottawa (2024–Present)
On 15 July 2024, Søgaard signed a two-year contract extension with the Ottawa Senators, a two-way deal in its first year and a one-way deal in the second. He was assigned to Belleville to start the 2024–25 season, continuing his development in the AHL. Recalled on 14 October 2024 on an emergency basis after Linus Ullmark suffered an injury, he made his season debut in relief of Anton Forsberg.
That night, Søgaard stopped 12 of 16 shots in an 8–7 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, helping Ottawa secure a wild win. He was returned to Belleville on 15 October after the brief stint, where he has continued to refine his game and serve as the AHL affiliate’s No. 1 goaltender.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 7 inches tall, Søgaard’s greatest asset is his size, which allows him to cover large portions of the net and challenge shooters’ sight lines. He pairs that frame with sound positional play, quick lateral movement, and a calm demeanor in high-traffic areas. Coaches have praised his coachability and work ethic, both essential traits for a young goaltender still refining his technique.
Notable Events and Milestones
Søgaard’s NHL debut on 1 April 2022 against the Detroit Red Wings stands as a career milestone, marking him as only the second Danish-born goaltender to play in the NHL. His March 2023 Rookie of the Month honor and the historic 10 April 2023 matchup against countryman Frederik Andersen further cemented his place in Danish hockey history. Breaking the Belleville Senators’ single-season wins record in March 2024 added another signature achievement to his young career.
Mads Søgaard Career Wins
Across junior, professional, and NHL play, Søgaard has accumulated a series of milestone victories that trace his development from Denmark to North America. His professional win total includes stops with Esbjerg Energy, the Belleville Senators, and the Ottawa Senators, while his junior resume features success with the Austin Bruins and Medicine Hat Tigers.
Junior and AHL Highlights
Søgaard opened his AHL career with seven consecutive victories for the Belleville Senators in 2020, a streak that immediately established him as a top prospect in the system. In 2023–24, he set the Belleville Senators’ single-season franchise record for wins, surpassing the previous mark held by Filip Gustavsson. His first AHL win came during the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season shortly after he was reassigned from Esbjerg Energy.
NHL Highlights
Søgaard’s first NHL win came on 1 April 2022, a 5–2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings in his league debut. He added his first win of the 2023–24 season on 21 January 2024 against the Philadelphia Flyers, and opened 2024–25 with a wild 8–7 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in relief of Anton Forsberg. Each of those wins represented key steps in his path toward a permanent NHL role.
Mads Søgaard Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Søgaard’s immediate family is not widely documented in public sources. He was raised in Aalborg, Denmark, and has credited his family with supporting his early development in the sport. As a Danish-born athlete, he is part of a growing wave of goaltenders from Denmark reaching the NHL.
Personal Life
Public details about Søgaard’s personal life are limited. He continues to focus on his professional hockey career, splitting his time between Ottawa and Belleville as he develops within the Senators organization.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Søgaard remains under contract with the Ottawa Senators, with a deal that runs through 2026. After being returned to Belleville in October 2024, he has continued to serve as a key piece of the AHL affiliate’s goaltending corps while remaining one injury or strong stretch away from another NHL opportunity.
His early 2024–25 results include the dramatic 8–7 win over the Los Angeles Kings, a performance that showcased his resilience in a chaotic, high-event game. With Linus Ullmark, Anton Forsberg, and Joonas Korpisalo all having dealt with injuries during the season, Søgaard is positioned as a reliable recall option for Ottawa whenever needs arise.
Looking ahead through 2025, Søgaard’s path to full-time NHL duty depends on continued strong play in Belleville and staying ready for the next opportunity at the top level. His combination of size, track record of franchise records, and a two-year contract suggest the Senators remain committed to his long-term development as a potential future NHL starter.
