Ottawa Senators
Encyclopedia
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey
team based in Ottawa
, Ontario
, Canada
. They are members of the Northeast Division
of the Eastern Conference
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). The Senators play their home games at the 19,153 seat (20,500 capacity) Scotiabank Place
which opened in 1996.
Founded and established by Ottawa real estate developer Bruce Firestone
, the team is the second NHL franchise to use the Ottawa Senators name. The original Ottawa Senators
, founded in 1883, had a famed history, winning 11 Stanley Cup
s and playing in the NHL from 1917 until 1934. On December 6, 1990, after a two year public campaign by Firestone, the NHL awarded a new franchise, which began play in the 1992–93 season. The current team owner is Eugene Melnyk
, and in 2011, the club was valued by Forbes Magazine at $201 million.
The team has had success, qualifying for the Stanley Cup
playoffs in twelve of the past fourteen seasons, four division titles, the Presidents' Trophy
in 2003 and appeared in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals
. The success has been reflected in attendance. The club has averaged over 18,000 fans per game since 2005–06, peaking at 19,821 in 2007–08.
, a founding NHL franchise and eleven-time Stanley Cup
champions. After the NHL expanded to the United States in the late 1920s, the original Senators' eventual financial losses forced the franchise to move to St. Louis in 1934 operating as the Eagles
. The team was unsuccessful in St. Louis, and was permanently suspended after just one year.
Fifty-four years later, after the NHL announced its plans to expand by two teams, Ottawa real estate developer Bruce Firestone
decided along with colleagues Cyril Leeder
and Randy Sexton
that Ottawa was now able to support a NHL franchise, and the group proceeded to put a bid together. His firm, Terrace Investments, did not have the liquid assets to finance the expansion fee and the team, but the group conceived a strategy to leverage a land development. In 1989, after finding a suitable site on farmland just west of Ottawa in Kanata
on which to construct a new arena, Terrace announced its intention to win a franchise and launched a successful "Bring Back the Senators" campaign to both woo the public and persuade the NHL that the city could support an NHL franchise. Public support was high and the group would secure over 11,000 season ticket pledges. On December 12, 1990, the NHL granted franchises to Firestone's group, as well as a group in Tampa, Florida
, to start play in 1992.
The new team hired former NHL player Mel Bridgman
, who had no previous NHL management experience, as its first General Manager in 1992. The team was initially interested in hiring former Jack Adams Award
winner Brian Sutter
as its first head coach, but Sutter came with a high price tag and was reluctant to be a part of an expansion team. When Sutter was eventually signed to coach the Boston Bruins
, Ottawa signed Rick Bowness
, the man Sutter replaced in Boston. The new Senators played their first game on October 8, 1992, in the Ottawa Civic Centre
against the Montreal Canadiens
with lots of pre-game spectacle. The Senators would defeat the Canadiens 5–2 in one of the few highlights that season. Montreal would eventually finish the season with a Stanley Cup victory. Following the initial excitement of the opening night victory, the club floundered badly and would eventually tie with the San Jose Sharks
for the worst record in the league, winning only 10 games with 70 losses and 4 ties for 24 points, three points better than the NHL record for futility. The Senators had aimed low and considered the 1992–93 season a small success, as Firestone had set a goal for the season of not setting a new NHL record for fewest points in a season. The long term plan was to finish low in the standings for its first few years in order to secure high draft picks and eventually contend for the Stanley Cup.
Original General Manager Mel Bridgman was fired after one season and team president Randy Sexton
took over GM duties. Firestone himself soon left the team and Rod Bryden
emerged as the new owner. The strategy of aiming low and securing a high draft position did not change. The Senators finished last overall for the next three seasons. Although 1993 first overall draft choice Alexandre Daigle
wound up being one of the greatest draft busts in NHL history, they chose Radek Bonk
in 1994, Bryan Berard
(traded for Wade Redden
) in 1995, Chris Phillips
in 1996, and Marian Hossa
in 1997, all of whom would become solid NHL players and formed a strong core of players in years to come. Alexei Yashin
, the team's first ever draft selection from 1992, emerged as one of the NHL's brightest young stars. The team traded many of their better veteran players of the era, including 1992–93 leading scorer Norm Maciver
, and fan favorites Mike Peluso
and Bob Kudelski
, in an effort to stockpile prospects and draft picks.
As the 1995–96 season began, star centre Alexei Yashin refused to honor his contract and did not play. In December, after three straight last-place finishes and a team which was ridiculed throughout the league, fans began to grow restless waiting for the team's long term plan to yield results, and arena attendance began to decline. Rick Bowness was fired in late 1995 and was replaced by Prince Edward Island Senators
head coach Dave Allison
. Allison would fare no better than his predecessor, and the team would stumble to a 2–22–3 record under him. Sexton himself was fired and replaced by Pierre Gauthier
, the former assistant GM of Anaheim
. Before the end of January 1996, Gauthier had resolved the team's most pressing issues by settling star player Alexei Yashin's contract dispute, and hiring the highly regarded Jacques Martin as head coach. While Ottawa finished last overall once again, the 1995–96
season ended with renewed optimism, due in part to the upgraded management and coaching, and also to the emergence of an unheralded rookie from Sweden
named Daniel Alfredsson
, who would win the Calder Memorial Trophy
as NHL Rookie of the Year in 1996.
. Martin outlasted several general managers and a change in ownership.
In 1996–97
, his first season, the club qualified for the playoffs in the last game of the season, and nearly defeated the Buffalo Sabres
in the first round. In 1997–98
, the club finished with their first winning record and upset the heavily favoured New Jersey Devils
to win their first playoff series. In 1998–99
, the Senators jumped from 14th overall in the previous season to 3rd, with 103 points—the first 100-point season in club history, only to be swept in the first round. In 1999–2000 despite the holdout of team captain Alexei Yashin
, Martin guided the team to the playoffs, only to lose to the Maple Leafs in the first Battle of Ontario
series. Yashin returned for 2000–01
and the team improved to win their division and place second in the Eastern Conference. Yashin played poorly in another first round playoff loss and on the day of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft
, he was traded to the New York Islanders
in exchange for Zdeno Chara
, Bill Muckalt
, and the second overall selection in the draft, which Ottawa promptly used to select centre Jason Spezza
.
The 2001–02
Senators regular season points total dropped, but in the playoffs, they upset the Philadelphia Flyers
for the franchise's second playoff series win. Yet the Sens would lose in game 7 of the second round of the playoffs. Despite speculation that Martin would be fired, it was GM Marshall Johnston who left, retiring from the team, replaced by John Muckler, the Senators' first with previous GM experience.
In 2002–03
off-ice problems dominated the headlines, as the Senators filed for bankruptcy in mid-season, but continued play after getting emergency financing. Despite the off-ice problems, Ottawa had an outstanding season, placing first overall in the NHL to win the President's Trophy. In the playoffs they came within one game of making it into the finals. Prior to the 2003–04
season, pharmaceutical billionaire Eugene Melnyk
would purchase the club to bring financial stability. Martin would guide the team to another good regular season but again would lose in the first round of the playoffs, leading to Martin's dismissal as management felt that a new coach was required for playoff success.
GM Bryan Murray of nearby Shawville, became head coach. That summer, the team also made substantial personnel changes, trading long-time players Patrick Lalime
and Radek Bonk
, and signing free agent goaltender Dominik Hasek. The team would not be able to show its new lineup for a year, as the 2004–05 NHL lockout intervened and most players playing in Europe or in the minors. In a final change, just before the 2005–06
season, the team traded long-time player Marian Hossa
for Dany Heatley
.
The media predicted the Senators to be Stanley Cup contenders in 2005–06
, as they had a strong core of players returning, played in an up-tempo style fitting the new rule changes and Hasek was expected to provide top-notch goaltending. The team rushed out of the gate, winning 19 of the first 22 games, in the end winning 52 games and 113 points, placing first in the conference, and second overall. The newly formed 'CASH' line of Alfredsson, Spezza and newly acquired Dany Heatley
established itself as one of the league's top offensive lines. Hasek played well until he was injured during the 2006 Winter Olympics
, forcing the team to enter the playoffs with rookie netminder Ray Emery
as their starter. Without Hasek, the club bowed out in a second round loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
, the Senators reached the Stanley Cup Finals after qualifying for the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons. The Senators had a high turn-over of personnel and the disappointment of 2006 to overcome and started the season poorly. Trade rumours swirled around Daniel Alfredsson for most of the last months of 2006. The team lifted itself out of last place in the division to nearly catch the Buffalo Sabres
by season's end, placing fourth in the Eastern Conference. The team finished with 105 points, their fourth straight 100 point season and sixth in the last eight. In the playoffs, Ottawa continued its good play. Led by the 'CASH' line, goaltender Ray Emery
, and the strong defence of Chris Phillips
and Anton Volchenkov
, the club defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins
, the second-ranked New Jersey Devils
, and the top-ranked Buffalo Sabres to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals
.
First Stanley Cup finals in the capital in 80 years
The 2006–07 Senators thus became the first Ottawa team to be in the Stanley Cup final since 1927 and the city was swept up in the excitement. Businesses along all of the main streets posted large hand-drawn 'Go Sens Go' signs, residents put up large displays in front of the their homes or decorated their cars. A large Ottawa Senators flag was draped on the City Hall, along with a large video screen showing the games. A six-storey likeness of Daniel Alfredsson was hung on the Corel building. Rallies were held outside of City Hall, car rallies of decorated cars paraded through town and a section of downtown, dubbed the 'Sens Mile', was closed off to traffic during and after games for fans to congregate.
In the final, the Senators now faced the Anaheim Ducks
, considered a favourite since the start of the season, a team the Senators had last played in 2006, and a team known for its strong defence. The Ducks won the first two games in Anaheim 3-2 and 1–0. Returning home, the Senators won game three 5–3, but lost game four 3–2. The Ducks won game five 6–2 in Anaheim to clinch the series. The Ducks had played outstanding defence, shutting down the 'CASH' line, forcing Murray to split up the line. The Ducks scored timely goals and Ducks' goaltender Giguere out-played Emery.
, the assistant coach to head coach of the Senators. Under Paddock, the team came out to a record start to the 2007–08 season
. However, team play declined to a .500 level and the team looked to be falling out of the playoffs. Paddock was fired by Murray, who took over coaching on an interim basis. The club managed to qualify for the playoffs by a tie-breaker, but was swept in the first round of the playoffs to the Penguins. In June, the club bought out goaltender Ray Emery
who had become notorious for off-ice events in Ottawa and lateness to several team practices.
For 2008–09, Murray hired Craig Hartsburg
to coach the Senators. Under Hartsburg's style, the Senators struggled and played under .500. Uneven goaltending with Martin Gerber
and Alex Auld
meant the team played cautiously to protect the goaltender. Murray's patience ran out in February 2009 with the team well out of playoff contention and Hartsburg was fired, although he had two years left on his contract, and the team also had Paddock under contract. Cory Clouston
was elevated from the Binghamton coaching position. The team played above .500 under Clouston and rookie goaltender Brian Elliott
, who had been promoted from Binghamton. Gerber was waived from the team at the trading deadline and the team traded for goaltender Pascal Leclaire
, although he would not play due to injury. The team failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons. Auld would be traded in the off-season to make room. Clouston's coaching had caused a rift with top player Dany Heatley
(although unspecified 'personal issues' were also noted by Heatley) and after Clouston was given a contract to continue coaching, Heatley made a trade demand and was traded just before the start of the 2009–10 season.
In 2009–10, the Senators were a .500 team until January, when the team went on a team-record 11-game winning streak. The streak propelled the team to the top of the Northeast Division standings and a top-three placing for the playoffs. The team was unable to hold off the Sabres for the division lead, but qualified for the playoffs in the fifth position. For the third season in four, the Senators played off against the Penguins in the first round. A highlight for the Senators was winning a triple-overtime fifth game in Pittsburgh, but the team was unable to win a playoff game on home ice, losing the series in six games.
campaign, resulting in constant rumours of a shakeup right through until December. The rumours were heightened in January after the team went on a lengthy losing streak. January was a dismal month for the Senators, winning only one game all month. Media speculated on the imminent firing of Clouston, Murray or both. Owner Melynk cleared the air in an article in the January 22, 2011 edition of the Ottawa Sun
. Melnyk stated that he would not fire either Clouston or Murray, but that he had given up on this season and was in the process of developing a plan for the future. On Monday, January 24, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that the plan included hiring a new general manager before the June entry draft and that Murray would be retained as an advisor to the team. A decision on whether to retain Clouston would be made by the new general manager. The article by Roy MacGregor, a long-time reporter of the Ottawa Senators, stated that former assistant coach Pierre McGuire
had already been interviewed. Murray, in a press conference that day stated that he wished to stay on as the team's general manager. He also stated that Melnyk was allowing him to continue as general manager without restraint. Murray said that the players were now to be judged by their play until the February 28 trade deadline. Murray would attempt to move "a couple, at least" of the players for draft picks or prospects at that time if the Senators remained out of playoff contention. At the time of Murray's comments the team was eight games under .500 and 14 points out of a playoff position after 49 games.
Murray started with the trading of Mike Fisher to the Nashville Predators
in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2011 draft
. Fisher already had a home in Nashville with new wife Carrie Underwood
. The trading of Fisher, a fan favorite in Ottawa, lead to a small anti-Underwood backlash in the city with the banning of her songs from the play lists of some local radio stations. Murray next traded Chris Kelly, another veteran, to the Boston Bruins
for a second-round pick in the 2011 draft. A few days later, pending unrestricted free agent Jarkko Ruutu
was sent to the Anaheim Ducks
in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2011. A swap of goaltenders was made with the Colorado Avalanche
which brought Craig Anderson to Ottawa in exchange for Brian Elliott
. Both goalies were having sub-par seasons prior to the trade. Under-achieving forward Alex Kovalev was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins
for a seventh-round draft pick. On trade deadline day, Ottawa picked up goaltender Curtis McElhinney
on waivers, and traded Chris Campoli
with a seventh-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks
for a second-round pick and Ryan Potulny
. Goaltender Anderson played very well down the stretch for Ottawa, and the team quickly signed the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent to a four-year contract. After media speculation on the future of Murray within the organization, Murray was re-signed as general manager on April 8, to a three-year extension. On April 9, head coach Cory Clouston
and assistants Greg Carvel and Brad Lauer
were dismissed from their positions. Murray said that the decision was made based on the fact that the team entered the season believing it was a contender, but finished with a 32-40-10 record. Former Detroit Red Wings
' assistant coach Paul MacLean was hired as Clouston's replacement on June 14, 2011.
is officially the head of a Roman general
, a member of the Senate
of the Roman Empire
, projecting from a gold circle. The original, unveiled on May 23, 1991, described the general
as a "centurion
figure, strong and prominent" according to its designer, Tony Milchard.
The current jersey design was unveiled on August 22, 2007, in conjunction with the league-wide adoption of the Rbk EDGE jerseys by Reebok
for the 2007–08 season. The jersey incorporates the original Senators' 'O' logo as a shoulder patch. At the same time, the team updated its logos, and switched their usage. The primary logo
, which according to team owner Eugene Melnyk
, "represents strength and determination" is an update of the old secondary logo
. The old primary logo
has become the team's secondary logo
and only appears on Senators' merchandise.
In 2011, the Senators introduced their current third jersey design. Mostly black, the jersey incorporated horizontal striping intended to be reminiscent of the original Senators' 'barber-pole' designs. Shield-type patches were added to the shoulders. The design of the shield-type patches was intended to be similar to the shield patches that the original Senators added to their jerseys after each Stanley Cup championship win. The patches spell the team name, one in English, and one in French. The design was inspired by a local Gatineau, Quebec fan's design circulated on the internet since 2009.
On November 29, 2011, a Forbes Magazine report valued the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club at $201 million, (17th highest in NHL). The valuation was based on $27 million for the sport, $70 million for the arena, $80 million for the market and $25 million for the brand. For 2010–11, the club had an operating income of $2.8 million on revenues of $100 million. The gate receipts for the 2010–11 season were $46 million and player expenses were $57 million. The operating income followed two years where the team posted a loss. Forbes estimates that the organization has a debt/value ratio of 65%, including arena debt. Eugene Melnyk bought the team for $92 million in 2003.
Constable Lyndon Slewidge
. Slewidge sings the bilingual version of O Canada
containing both English and French words. The Senators have their own theme song Ottawa Senators Theme Song which is played as the team comes on the ice and is also used in Sens TV web videos. It was composed locally in Ottawa.
The fans of the Senators are known as the Sens Army. Like most hockey fanatics, they are known to dress up for games; some in Roman legion
ary clothing. For the 2006-2007 playoff run, more fans then ever before would wear red, and fan activities included 'Red Rallies' of decorated cars, fan rallies at Ottawa City Hall Plaza and the 'Sens Mile' along Elgin Street where fans would congregate.
in Calgary
during the Flames
' 2004 cup run
and the Copper Kilometer in Edmonton
during the Oilers
' 2006 cup run
, Ottawa Senators fans took to the streets to celebrate their team's success during the 2006-07 playoffs. The idea to have a 'Sens Mile' on the downtown Elgin Street
, a street with numerous restaurants and pubs, began as a grassroots campaign on Facebook
by Ottawa residents before Game 4 of the Ottawa-Buffalo Eastern Conference Final series. After the Game 5 win, Ottawa residents closed the street to traffic for a spontaneous celebration. The City of Ottawa then closed Elgin Street for each game of the Final.
within the Ottawa River valley and Eastern Ontario. Rogers Sportsnet also broadcasts Senators games in Quebec
, the Maritime provinces
and Newfoundland and Labrador
as part of its 'Sportsnet East' network. CBC's Hockey Night in Canada
and TSN
broadcast the Senators nationally in Canada. Dean Brown
is widely regarded as "the voice of the Ottawa Senators", and he provides play-by-play for most Senators' games broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada
. He is joined on the Sportsnet broadcasts by Ottawa native and former NHL player Denis Potvin
.
On radio, all home and away games are broadcast on a network of local stations in eastern Ontario. The 'flagship' radio station is the Ottawa station Team 1200, which produces the broadcasts and provides the play-by-play announcers. Radio broadcasts on Team 1200 began in 1997–98 and the contract extends through the 2013–14 season. The Team 1200 audio is available over the Internet, and games are simulcast from the NHL main web site.
During the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, several games were only available in video on pay-per-view
or at local movie theatres in the Ottawa area. The "Sens TV" service was suspended indefinitely as of September 24, 2008.
The Senators' organization operates predominantly in English, but provides French services. The Senators' web site is in both languages. Arena announcements and press releases are in both languages. The Senators' ticket agency CapitalTickets.ca operates in English and French. The French-language cable television network RDS
broadcasts a selection of Senators games. On the RDS network, former Senators goaltender Patrick Lalime
is the colour analyst, starting in the 2011–12 season
. The Senators are broadcast on radio in French through CKOI 104.7 in Gatineau, Quebec
. Play-by-play is done by Nicolas St. Pierre and the colour commentary of Alain Sanscartier.
Source: Ottawa Senators 2009–10 Media Guide, p. 206.
Lamb, Shaw and Dineen were co-captains for the 1993–94 season.
Source: Ottawa Senators 2009–10 Media Guide, p. 206.
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Last five seasons
Records as of end of the 2010–11 NHL season
.
All-time
As of the end of the 2008–09 season.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game average;
* current Senators player
Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season. Totals contain only games played for Ottawa.
Sources:
† Ottawa Senators.
A. NHL.
B. NHL.
C. NHL.
Source: Ottawa Senators.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. They are members of the Northeast Division
Northeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...
of the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). The Senators play their home games at the 19,153 seat (20,500 capacity) Scotiabank Place
Scotiabank Place
Scotiabank Place is a multi-purpose arena, located in Kanata, a suburban district of Ottawa, Ontario. It is home to the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. It has also hosted the Canadian University Men's Basketball Championship...
which opened in 1996.
Founded and established by Ottawa real estate developer Bruce Firestone
Bruce Firestone
Bruce Firestone of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is a real estate developer, former sports team owner and university professor. He is the founder of the modern-day Ottawa Senators NHL professional ice hockey club and former part-owner of the Ottawa Rough Riders CFL football club.-Business career:Dr...
, the team is the second NHL franchise to use the Ottawa Senators name. The original Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators (original)
The Ottawa Senators were an amateur, and later, professional, ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Canada which existed from 1883 to 1954. The club was the first hockey club in Ontario, a founding member of the National Hockey League and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934...
, founded in 1883, had a famed history, winning 11 Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
s and playing in the NHL from 1917 until 1934. On December 6, 1990, after a two year public campaign by Firestone, the NHL awarded a new franchise, which began play in the 1992–93 season. The current team owner is Eugene Melnyk
Eugene Melnyk
Eugene Melnyk is a Ukrainian Canadian businessman who now resides in Barbados. He is the current owner, governor, and chairman of the Ottawa Senators professional ice hockey club of the National Hockey League . He also owns the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors junior-age ice hockey club...
, and in 2011, the club was valued by Forbes Magazine at $201 million.
The team has had success, qualifying for the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
playoffs in twelve of the past fourteen seasons, four division titles, the Presidents' Trophy
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
in 2003 and appeared in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals
2007 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2007 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2006–07 season. As a culmination of the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference champion Anaheim Ducks defeated the Eastern Conference champion Ottawa Senators in...
. The success has been reflected in attendance. The club has averaged over 18,000 fans per game since 2005–06, peaking at 19,821 in 2007–08.
History
Ottawa had been home to the original SenatorsOttawa Senators (original)
The Ottawa Senators were an amateur, and later, professional, ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Canada which existed from 1883 to 1954. The club was the first hockey club in Ontario, a founding member of the National Hockey League and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934...
, a founding NHL franchise and eleven-time Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champions. After the NHL expanded to the United States in the late 1920s, the original Senators' eventual financial losses forced the franchise to move to St. Louis in 1934 operating as the Eagles
St. Louis Eagles
The St. Louis Eagles were a professional ice hockey team and a former member of the National Hockey League based in St. Louis, Missouri. The Eagles existed for only one year, playing in the 1934–35 NHL season....
. The team was unsuccessful in St. Louis, and was permanently suspended after just one year.
Bruce Firestone
Bruce Firestone of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is a real estate developer, former sports team owner and university professor. He is the founder of the modern-day Ottawa Senators NHL professional ice hockey club and former part-owner of the Ottawa Rough Riders CFL football club.-Business career:Dr...
decided along with colleagues Cyril Leeder
Cyril Leeder
Cyril Leeder is the president of the Ottawa Senators professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League and its corporation, the Senators Sports & Entertainment Corporation...
and Randy Sexton
Randy Sexton
Randy Sexton is a Canadian ice hockey executive, businessman and former athlete. He is currently assistant director of amateur scouting for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He most recently was the general manager of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. He was one of the...
that Ottawa was now able to support a NHL franchise, and the group proceeded to put a bid together. His firm, Terrace Investments, did not have the liquid assets to finance the expansion fee and the team, but the group conceived a strategy to leverage a land development. In 1989, after finding a suitable site on farmland just west of Ottawa in Kanata
Kanata, Ontario
Situated in the Ottawa Valley, Kanata is located about west-southwest of Downtown Ottawa along Highway 417 at a latitude of 45°18' North and a longitude of 75°55' West, with an area of . Its northern end is just to the west of the Ottawa River....
on which to construct a new arena, Terrace announced its intention to win a franchise and launched a successful "Bring Back the Senators" campaign to both woo the public and persuade the NHL that the city could support an NHL franchise. Public support was high and the group would secure over 11,000 season ticket pledges. On December 12, 1990, the NHL granted franchises to Firestone's group, as well as a group in Tampa, Florida
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
, to start play in 1992.
1992–1996: First seasons
Mel Bridgman
Melvin John Bridgman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1975–76 until 1988–89....
, who had no previous NHL management experience, as its first General Manager in 1992. The team was initially interested in hiring former Jack Adams Award
Jack Adams Award
The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." It has been awarded 37 times to 32 different coaches. The winner is selected by a poll of the National Hockey League Broadcasters Association at the end of the...
winner Brian Sutter
Brian Sutter
Brian Louis Allen Sutter is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward and former head coach in the National Hockey League . Brian is the second oldest of the famous Sutter brothers, six of whom have played in the NHL, and is the only one to have his number retired by an NHL team.-Player: Sutter was...
as its first head coach, but Sutter came with a high price tag and was reluctant to be a part of an expansion team. When Sutter was eventually signed to coach the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
, Ottawa signed Rick Bowness
Rick Bowness
Richard Gary Bowness is a Canadian former National Hockey League right winger and currently an associate coach with the Vancouver Canucks. He played for the Atlanta Flames, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets and Central Hockey League, AHL and QMJHL teams...
, the man Sutter replaced in Boston. The new Senators played their first game on October 8, 1992, in the Ottawa Civic Centre
Ottawa Civic Centre
The Ottawa Civic Centre, also known as the J. Benson Cartage Centre for 2011–2012, is an indoor arena located in Ottawa, Ontario, seating 9,862. With temporary seating and standing room it can hold 10,585. Opened in December 1967, it is used primarily for sports, including curling, figure skating,...
against the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
with lots of pre-game spectacle. The Senators would defeat the Canadiens 5–2 in one of the few highlights that season. Montreal would eventually finish the season with a Stanley Cup victory. Following the initial excitement of the opening night victory, the club floundered badly and would eventually tie with the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
for the worst record in the league, winning only 10 games with 70 losses and 4 ties for 24 points, three points better than the NHL record for futility. The Senators had aimed low and considered the 1992–93 season a small success, as Firestone had set a goal for the season of not setting a new NHL record for fewest points in a season. The long term plan was to finish low in the standings for its first few years in order to secure high draft picks and eventually contend for the Stanley Cup.
Original General Manager Mel Bridgman was fired after one season and team president Randy Sexton
Randy Sexton
Randy Sexton is a Canadian ice hockey executive, businessman and former athlete. He is currently assistant director of amateur scouting for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He most recently was the general manager of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. He was one of the...
took over GM duties. Firestone himself soon left the team and Rod Bryden
Rod Bryden
Rod Bryden is a prominent Ottawa business executive. He is best known as the owner of the Ottawa Senators National Hockey League team from 1992 until 2003. Outside of hockey, his career has included founding or leading several of Canada's leading companies.- Biography :Rod Bryden was born on March...
emerged as the new owner. The strategy of aiming low and securing a high draft position did not change. The Senators finished last overall for the next three seasons. Although 1993 first overall draft choice Alexandre Daigle
Alexandre Daigle
Alexandre Daigle is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Despite being drafted first overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Daigle never lived up to his potential, achieving a maximum of only 51 points in the regular season, well below expectations for a first overall...
wound up being one of the greatest draft busts in NHL history, they chose Radek Bonk
Radek Bonk
Radek Bonk is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:...
in 1994, Bryan Berard
Bryan Berard
Bryan Wallace Berard is a former American professional ice hockey player. He was the first overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He is most noted for a debilitating eye injury he received early in his career...
(traded for Wade Redden
Wade Redden
Wade Redden is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in the New York Rangers organization for its American Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. He joined the New York Rangers in 2008 after 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators...
) in 1995, Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded...
in 1996, and Marian Hossa
Marian Hossa
Marián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
in 1997, all of whom would become solid NHL players and formed a strong core of players in years to come. Alexei Yashin
Alexei Yashin
Alexei Valeryevich Yashin is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a member of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League...
, the team's first ever draft selection from 1992, emerged as one of the NHL's brightest young stars. The team traded many of their better veteran players of the era, including 1992–93 leading scorer Norm Maciver
Norm Maciver
Norman Steven Maciver is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Maciver played in the National Hockey League as a member of the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes franchise.-Playing...
, and fan favorites Mike Peluso
Mike David Peluso
Michael David Peluso, is an American former professional ice hockey player. Peluso was known primarily as an enforcer throughout his National Hockey League career. Peluso played in the NHL from 1990 until 1998...
and Bob Kudelski
Bob Kudelski
Robert Kudelski is an American former professional ice hockey player. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1986 NHL Supplemental Draft.-Playing career:...
, in an effort to stockpile prospects and draft picks.
Prince Edward Island Senators
The Prince Edward Island Senators are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 1996. Originally located in New Haven, Connecticut for 21 seasons, including one as the affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, the franchise relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward...
head coach Dave Allison
Dave Allison
David Bryan Allison is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in three games with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League during the 1983-84 season and is perhaps best known for a brief stint as head coach of the NHL's Ottawa Senators during the 1995–1996...
. Allison would fare no better than his predecessor, and the team would stumble to a 2–22–3 record under him. Sexton himself was fired and replaced by Pierre Gauthier
Pierre Gauthier
For the Canadian politician see Pierre Gauthier Pierre Gauthier is an ice hockey administrator in the National Hockey League...
, the former assistant GM of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Before the end of January 1996, Gauthier had resolved the team's most pressing issues by settling star player Alexei Yashin's contract dispute, and hiring the highly regarded Jacques Martin as head coach. While Ottawa finished last overall once again, the 1995–96
1995–96 Ottawa Senators season
The 1995–96 Ottawa Senators season was a season with plenty of change for the club. The club changed coaching staffs twice, changed the General Manager and moved into the new Palladium arena in Kanata...
season ended with renewed optimism, due in part to the upgraded management and coaching, and also to the emergence of an unheralded rookie from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
named Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators...
, who would win the Calder Memorial Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
as NHL Rookie of the Year in 1996.
1996–2004: Jacques Martin era
Martin would impose a "strong defence first" philosophy that led to the team qualifying for the playoffs every season that he coached, but he was criticized for the team's lack of success in the playoffs, notably losing four straight series against the provincial rival Toronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Martin outlasted several general managers and a change in ownership.
In 1996–97
1996–97 Ottawa Senators season
The 1996–97 Ottawa Senators season was a season of great improvement by the club, as the team finished out of last place in the NHL for the first time in team history, and went on to qualify for the 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference...
, his first season, the club qualified for the playoffs in the last game of the season, and nearly defeated the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in the first round. In 1997–98
1997–98 Ottawa Senators season
The 1997–98 Ottawa Senators season would see the Senators face the challenge of improving on their very successful 1996–97 season, when they made the playoffs for the first time in team history...
, the club finished with their first winning record and upset the heavily favoured New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
to win their first playoff series. In 1998–99
1998–99 Ottawa Senators season
The 1998–99 Ottawa Senators cracked the 100 point barrier, as they finished with 103 points, and won the Northeast Division for the first time in club history....
, the Senators jumped from 14th overall in the previous season to 3rd, with 103 points—the first 100-point season in club history, only to be swept in the first round. In 1999–2000 despite the holdout of team captain Alexei Yashin
Alexei Yashin
Alexei Valeryevich Yashin is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a member of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League...
, Martin guided the team to the playoffs, only to lose to the Maple Leafs in the first Battle of Ontario
Battle of Ontario
The Battle of Ontario is a rivalry between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League, often described as one of the top NHL rivalries. The teams both compete in the Northeast Division and with current NHL scheduling meet 6 times per season...
series. Yashin returned for 2000–01
2000–01 Ottawa Senators season
The 2000–01 Ottawa Senators season saw the Senators place first in the Northeast Division, with 109 points. In the playoffs, the Senators lost in the first round, again to the Toronto Maple Leafs, this time in a 4–0 sweep, in which they were repeatedly stymied by the Leafs' goaltender Curtis...
and the team improved to win their division and place second in the Eastern Conference. Yashin played poorly in another first round playoff loss and on the day of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft
2001 NHL Entry Draft
The 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 23–24, 2001 at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:...
, he was traded to the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Zdeno Chara
Zdeno Chára
Zdeno Chára is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenseman. He is the captain of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and won the Norris Trophy while playing for them in 2008–09. At 6 ft 9 , he is the tallest player ever to play in the NHL...
, Bill Muckalt
Bill Muckalt
Bill Muckalt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Muckalt played in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild from 1998 until 2003.-Playing career:...
, and the second overall selection in the draft, which Ottawa promptly used to select centre Jason Spezza
Jason Spezza
Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
.
2001–02 Ottawa Senators season
The 2001–02 Ottawa Senators season saw the Senators place third in the Northeast Division, with 94 points. In the playoffs, they upset the Philadelphia Flyers in five games, limiting the Flyers' high-powered offence to just two goals for the franchise's second playoff series win...
Senators regular season points total dropped, but in the playoffs, they upset the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for the franchise's second playoff series win. Yet the Sens would lose in game 7 of the second round of the playoffs. Despite speculation that Martin would be fired, it was GM Marshall Johnston who left, retiring from the team, replaced by John Muckler, the Senators' first with previous GM experience.
In 2002–03
2002–03 Ottawa Senators season
The 2002–03 Ottawa Senators season saw the Senators reach the highest point in the playoffs until the 2006–07 season. They were eliminated by the New Jersey Devils, the eventual Stanley Cup winning team in the Eastern Conference final...
off-ice problems dominated the headlines, as the Senators filed for bankruptcy in mid-season, but continued play after getting emergency financing. Despite the off-ice problems, Ottawa had an outstanding season, placing first overall in the NHL to win the President's Trophy. In the playoffs they came within one game of making it into the finals. Prior to the 2003–04
2003–04 Ottawa Senators season
The 2003–04 Ottawa Senators season would see the Senators again finish with over 100 points, finishing with 102, but this was good for only third in the tightly-contested division, as the Bruins would have 104 and the Leafs 103. Ottawa would meet Toronto in the first-round of the playoffs, meeting...
season, pharmaceutical billionaire Eugene Melnyk
Eugene Melnyk
Eugene Melnyk is a Ukrainian Canadian businessman who now resides in Barbados. He is the current owner, governor, and chairman of the Ottawa Senators professional ice hockey club of the National Hockey League . He also owns the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors junior-age ice hockey club...
would purchase the club to bring financial stability. Martin would guide the team to another good regular season but again would lose in the first round of the playoffs, leading to Martin's dismissal as management felt that a new coach was required for playoff success.
2004–present: Bryan Murray era
After the playoff loss, owner Melnyk promised that changes were coming and they came quickly. In June 2004, Anaheim DucksAnaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
GM Bryan Murray of nearby Shawville, became head coach. That summer, the team also made substantial personnel changes, trading long-time players Patrick Lalime
Patrick Lalime
Patrick Lalime is a Canadian professional ice hockey broadcaster and former player. Lalime played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres...
and Radek Bonk
Radek Bonk
Radek Bonk is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:...
, and signing free agent goaltender Dominik Hasek. The team would not be able to show its new lineup for a year, as the 2004–05 NHL lockout intervened and most players playing in Europe or in the minors. In a final change, just before the 2005–06
2005–06 Ottawa Senators season
The 2005–06 Ottawa Senators season was the 14th NHL season of the Ottawa Senators. After one of their franchise-best regular seasons, finishing with 113 points, the Senators made it to the Eastern Conference Semi-final, in which the Buffalo Sabres eliminated Ottawa in five...
season, the team traded long-time player Marian Hossa
Marian Hossa
Marián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
for Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley
Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
.
The media predicted the Senators to be Stanley Cup contenders in 2005–06
2005–06 Ottawa Senators season
The 2005–06 Ottawa Senators season was the 14th NHL season of the Ottawa Senators. After one of their franchise-best regular seasons, finishing with 113 points, the Senators made it to the Eastern Conference Semi-final, in which the Buffalo Sabres eliminated Ottawa in five...
, as they had a strong core of players returning, played in an up-tempo style fitting the new rule changes and Hasek was expected to provide top-notch goaltending. The team rushed out of the gate, winning 19 of the first 22 games, in the end winning 52 games and 113 points, placing first in the conference, and second overall. The newly formed 'CASH' line of Alfredsson, Spezza and newly acquired Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley
Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
established itself as one of the league's top offensive lines. Hasek played well until he was injured during the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
, forcing the team to enter the playoffs with rookie netminder Ray Emery
Ray Emery
Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey...
as their starter. Without Hasek, the club bowed out in a second round loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
2006–07: Trip to the Stanley Cup finals
In 2006–072006–07 Ottawa Senators season
The 2006–07 Ottawa Senators season saw the team rebound from a disappointing early exit from the 2006 playoffs. The team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals before losing to the Anaheim Ducks. After numerous personnel changes at the start of the season, the team had a poor record until...
, the Senators reached the Stanley Cup Finals after qualifying for the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons. The Senators had a high turn-over of personnel and the disappointment of 2006 to overcome and started the season poorly. Trade rumours swirled around Daniel Alfredsson for most of the last months of 2006. The team lifted itself out of last place in the division to nearly catch the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
by season's end, placing fourth in the Eastern Conference. The team finished with 105 points, their fourth straight 100 point season and sixth in the last eight. In the playoffs, Ottawa continued its good play. Led by the 'CASH' line, goaltender Ray Emery
Ray Emery
Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey...
, and the strong defence of Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded...
and Anton Volchenkov
Anton Volchenkov
Anton Alekseyevich Volchenkov , also known as the A-Train and the Russian Bear, is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Volchenkov grew up in Moscow and began attending the CSKA hockey school at the...
, the club defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
, the second-ranked New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and the top-ranked Buffalo Sabres to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals
2007 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2007 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2006–07 season. As a culmination of the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference champion Anaheim Ducks defeated the Eastern Conference champion Ottawa Senators in...
.
The 2006–07 Senators thus became the first Ottawa team to be in the Stanley Cup final since 1927 and the city was swept up in the excitement. Businesses along all of the main streets posted large hand-drawn 'Go Sens Go' signs, residents put up large displays in front of the their homes or decorated their cars. A large Ottawa Senators flag was draped on the City Hall, along with a large video screen showing the games. A six-storey likeness of Daniel Alfredsson was hung on the Corel building. Rallies were held outside of City Hall, car rallies of decorated cars paraded through town and a section of downtown, dubbed the 'Sens Mile', was closed off to traffic during and after games for fans to congregate.
In the final, the Senators now faced the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, considered a favourite since the start of the season, a team the Senators had last played in 2006, and a team known for its strong defence. The Ducks won the first two games in Anaheim 3-2 and 1–0. Returning home, the Senators won game three 5–3, but lost game four 3–2. The Ducks won game five 6–2 in Anaheim to clinch the series. The Ducks had played outstanding defence, shutting down the 'CASH' line, forcing Murray to split up the line. The Ducks scored timely goals and Ducks' goaltender Giguere out-played Emery.
2007–2010: A team in decline
In the off-season after the Stanley Cup Final, Bryan Murray's contract was expiring, while GM John Muckler had one season remaining, at which he was expected to retire. Murray, who had previously been at GM for other NHL clubs, was expected to take over the GM position, although no public timetable was given. Owner Melnyk decided to offer Muckler another position in the organization and give the GM position to Murray. Muckler declined the offer and was relieved from his position. Melnyk publicly justified the move, saying that he expected to lose Murray if his contract ran out. Murray then elevated John PaddockJohn Paddock
Alvin John Paddock is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and the former head coach of the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . During his long career in the American Hockey League he won five Calder Cup championships and was inducted into the AHL's Hall...
, the assistant coach to head coach of the Senators. Under Paddock, the team came out to a record start to the 2007–08 season
2007–08 Ottawa Senators season
The 2007–08 Ottawa Senators season began on October 3, 2007, and finished on April 16, 2008. It was the Ottawa Senators' 16th season in the National Hockey League. The Senators started strongly in the regular season, but the team slumped after Christmas, and just barely qualified for the playoffs....
. However, team play declined to a .500 level and the team looked to be falling out of the playoffs. Paddock was fired by Murray, who took over coaching on an interim basis. The club managed to qualify for the playoffs by a tie-breaker, but was swept in the first round of the playoffs to the Penguins. In June, the club bought out goaltender Ray Emery
Ray Emery
Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey...
who had become notorious for off-ice events in Ottawa and lateness to several team practices.
For 2008–09, Murray hired Craig Hartsburg
Craig Hartsburg
Craig William Hartsburg is a retired Canadian professional hockey player and associate coach in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames. He also coached in the Ontario Hockey League. He has previously been an NHL head coach with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and...
to coach the Senators. Under Hartsburg's style, the Senators struggled and played under .500. Uneven goaltending with Martin Gerber
Martin Gerber
Martin Gerber is a Swiss professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Växjö Lakers Hockey of the Elitserien...
and Alex Auld
Alex Auld
Alexander Auld is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . Auld has also played for the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars of the NHL...
meant the team played cautiously to protect the goaltender. Murray's patience ran out in February 2009 with the team well out of playoff contention and Hartsburg was fired, although he had two years left on his contract, and the team also had Paddock under contract. Cory Clouston
Cory Clouston
Cory Clouston is an ice hockey coach, currently the head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He has previously served as head coach of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League , the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League , and the Kootenay Ice of...
was elevated from the Binghamton coaching position. The team played above .500 under Clouston and rookie goaltender Brian Elliott
Brian Elliott
Brian Elliott is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the ninth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, 291st overall...
, who had been promoted from Binghamton. Gerber was waived from the team at the trading deadline and the team traded for goaltender Pascal Leclaire
Pascal Leclaire
Pascal Leclaire is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Leclaire is currently an unrestricted free agent. Leclaire played three years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and was selected eighth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft...
, although he would not play due to injury. The team failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons. Auld would be traded in the off-season to make room. Clouston's coaching had caused a rift with top player Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley
Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
(although unspecified 'personal issues' were also noted by Heatley) and after Clouston was given a contract to continue coaching, Heatley made a trade demand and was traded just before the start of the 2009–10 season.
In 2009–10, the Senators were a .500 team until January, when the team went on a team-record 11-game winning streak. The streak propelled the team to the top of the Northeast Division standings and a top-three placing for the playoffs. The team was unable to hold off the Sabres for the division lead, but qualified for the playoffs in the fifth position. For the third season in four, the Senators played off against the Penguins in the first round. A highlight for the Senators was winning a triple-overtime fifth game in Pittsburgh, but the team was unable to win a playoff game on home ice, losing the series in six games.
2011–present: Rebuilding
The Senators had a much poorer than expected 2010-20112010–11 Ottawa Senators season
The 2010–11 Ottawa Senators season was the 19th NHL season for the modern Senators franchise. The Senators posted a regular season record of 32 wins, 40 losses, and 10 overtime/shootout losses for 74 points, failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second time in three seasons...
campaign, resulting in constant rumours of a shakeup right through until December. The rumours were heightened in January after the team went on a lengthy losing streak. January was a dismal month for the Senators, winning only one game all month. Media speculated on the imminent firing of Clouston, Murray or both. Owner Melynk cleared the air in an article in the January 22, 2011 edition of the Ottawa Sun
Ottawa Sun
The Ottawa Sun is a daily tabloid newspaper in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is published by Sun Media. It was first published in the early 1980s as the Ottawa Sunday Herald, until it was acquired by Toronto Sun Publishing Corporation in 1988....
. Melnyk stated that he would not fire either Clouston or Murray, but that he had given up on this season and was in the process of developing a plan for the future. On Monday, January 24, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that the plan included hiring a new general manager before the June entry draft and that Murray would be retained as an advisor to the team. A decision on whether to retain Clouston would be made by the new general manager. The article by Roy MacGregor, a long-time reporter of the Ottawa Senators, stated that former assistant coach Pierre McGuire
Pierre McGuire
Pierre McGuire , is an ice hockey analyst for National Hockey League broadcasts on NBC and Versus in the United States. Until 2011, he was a prominent hockey analyst on The Sports Network in Canada. Previously, he was a player, coach, and scout.-Hockey career:McGuire won two Stanley Cups as a scout...
had already been interviewed. Murray, in a press conference that day stated that he wished to stay on as the team's general manager. He also stated that Melnyk was allowing him to continue as general manager without restraint. Murray said that the players were now to be judged by their play until the February 28 trade deadline. Murray would attempt to move "a couple, at least" of the players for draft picks or prospects at that time if the Senators remained out of playoff contention. At the time of Murray's comments the team was eight games under .500 and 14 points out of a playoff position after 49 games.
Murray started with the trading of Mike Fisher to the Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2011 draft
2011 NHL Entry Draft
The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted...
. Fisher already had a home in Nashville with new wife Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
. The trading of Fisher, a fan favorite in Ottawa, lead to a small anti-Underwood backlash in the city with the banning of her songs from the play lists of some local radio stations. Murray next traded Chris Kelly, another veteran, to the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
for a second-round pick in the 2011 draft. A few days later, pending unrestricted free agent Jarkko Ruutu
Jarkko Ruutu
Jarkko Ruutu ; born August 23, 1975) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player. Ruutu is currently playing for SM-Liiga team Jokerit. He is the brother of Tuomo Ruutu, currently playing in the NHL on the Carolina Hurricanes, and retired player Mikko Ruutu....
was sent to the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2011. A swap of goaltenders was made with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
which brought Craig Anderson to Ottawa in exchange for Brian Elliott
Brian Elliott
Brian Elliott is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the ninth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, 291st overall...
. Both goalies were having sub-par seasons prior to the trade. Under-achieving forward Alex Kovalev was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
for a seventh-round draft pick. On trade deadline day, Ottawa picked up goaltender Curtis McElhinney
Curtis McElhinney
Robert Curtis McElhinney is a Canadian professional ice hockey player with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. McElhinney was a sixth-round selection of the Flames, 176th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
on waivers, and traded Chris Campoli
Chris Campoli
Chris Campoli is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens. Campoli previously played with the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders.- Junior career :...
with a seventh-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
for a second-round pick and Ryan Potulny
Ryan Potulny
Ryan Potulny is an American professional ice hockey player. Potulny is a member of the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League...
. Goaltender Anderson played very well down the stretch for Ottawa, and the team quickly signed the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent to a four-year contract. After media speculation on the future of Murray within the organization, Murray was re-signed as general manager on April 8, to a three-year extension. On April 9, head coach Cory Clouston
Cory Clouston
Cory Clouston is an ice hockey coach, currently the head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He has previously served as head coach of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League , the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League , and the Kootenay Ice of...
and assistants Greg Carvel and Brad Lauer
Brad Lauer
Brad R. Lauer is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Lauer was drafted 34th overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders and played in the National Hockey League for the Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, and Pittsburgh...
were dismissed from their positions. Murray said that the decision was made based on the fact that the team entered the season believing it was a contender, but finished with a 32-40-10 record. Former Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
' assistant coach Paul MacLean was hired as Clouston's replacement on June 14, 2011.
Logo and jersey design
The team colours are red, black and white, with added trim of gold. The team's away jersey is mostly white with red and black trim, while the home jersey is red, with white and black trim. The club logoLogo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
is officially the head of a Roman general
Legatus
A legatus was a general in the Roman army, equivalent to a modern general officer. Being of senatorial rank, his immediate superior was the dux, and he outranked all military tribunes...
, a member of the Senate
Roman Senate
The Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...
of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, projecting from a gold circle. The original, unveiled on May 23, 1991, described the general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
as a "centurion
Centurion
A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army .Centurion may also refer to:-Military:* Centurion tank, British battle tank* HMS Centurion, name of several ships and a shore base of the British Royal Navy...
figure, strong and prominent" according to its designer, Tony Milchard.
The current jersey design was unveiled on August 22, 2007, in conjunction with the league-wide adoption of the Rbk EDGE jerseys by Reebok
Reebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
for the 2007–08 season. The jersey incorporates the original Senators' 'O' logo as a shoulder patch. At the same time, the team updated its logos, and switched their usage. The primary logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
, which according to team owner Eugene Melnyk
Eugene Melnyk
Eugene Melnyk is a Ukrainian Canadian businessman who now resides in Barbados. He is the current owner, governor, and chairman of the Ottawa Senators professional ice hockey club of the National Hockey League . He also owns the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors junior-age ice hockey club...
, "represents strength and determination" is an update of the old secondary logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
. The old primary logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
has become the team's secondary logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
and only appears on Senators' merchandise.
In 2011, the Senators introduced their current third jersey design. Mostly black, the jersey incorporated horizontal striping intended to be reminiscent of the original Senators' 'barber-pole' designs. Shield-type patches were added to the shoulders. The design of the shield-type patches was intended to be similar to the shield patches that the original Senators added to their jerseys after each Stanley Cup championship win. The patches spell the team name, one in English, and one in French. The design was inspired by a local Gatineau, Quebec fan's design circulated on the internet since 2009.
Attendance and revenues
On April 18, 2008, the club announced its final attendance figures for 2007–08. The club had 40 sell-outs out of 41 home dates, a total attendance of 812,665 during the regular season, placing the club third in attendance in the NHL. The number of sell-outs and the total attendance were both club records. The previous attendance records were set during the 2005–06 with a season total of 798,453 and 33 sell-outs. In 2006–07 regular season attendance was 794,271, with 31 sell-outs out of 41 home dates or an average attendance of 19,372. In the 2007 playoffs, the Senators played 9 games with 9 sell-outs and an attendance of 181,272 for an average of 20,141, the highest in team history.On November 29, 2011, a Forbes Magazine report valued the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club at $201 million, (17th highest in NHL). The valuation was based on $27 million for the sport, $70 million for the arena, $80 million for the market and $25 million for the brand. For 2010–11, the club had an operating income of $2.8 million on revenues of $100 million. The gate receipts for the 2010–11 season were $46 million and player expenses were $57 million. The operating income followed two years where the team posted a loss. Forbes estimates that the organization has a debt/value ratio of 65%, including arena debt. Eugene Melnyk bought the team for $92 million in 2003.
Arena entertainment
At many home games the fans are entertained both outside and inside Scotiabank Place with a myriad of talent - live music, rock bands, giveaways and promotions. The live music includes the traditional Scottish music of the 'Sons of Scotland Pipe Band' of Ottawa along with highland dancers. Before and during games, entertainment is provided by Spartacat, the official mascot of the Senators, an anthropomorphic lion. He made his debut on the Senators' opening night: October 8, 1992. Anthems are usually sung by Ontario Provincial PoliceOntario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
Constable Lyndon Slewidge
Lyndon Slewidge
Lyndon Slewidge is an Ontario Provincial Police officer who also sings anthems for the Ottawa Senators hockey club. He has been the club's official anthem singer since 1994, and is familiar with at least 13 national anthems. Slewidge typically ends an anthem with a wink and a thumbs up...
. Slewidge sings the bilingual version of O Canada
O Canada
It has been noted that the opening theme of "O Canada" bears a strong resemblance to the "Marsch der Priester" , from the opera Die Zauberflöte , composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and that Lavallée's melody was inspired by Mozart's tune...
containing both English and French words. The Senators have their own theme song Ottawa Senators Theme Song which is played as the team comes on the ice and is also used in Sens TV web videos. It was composed locally in Ottawa.
Sens Army
Roman legion
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of perhaps 5,000 soldiers, divided into maniples and later into "cohorts"...
ary clothing. For the 2006-2007 playoff run, more fans then ever before would wear red, and fan activities included 'Red Rallies' of decorated cars, fan rallies at Ottawa City Hall Plaza and the 'Sens Mile' along Elgin Street where fans would congregate.
Sens Mile
Much like the Red MileRed Mile
The Red Mile is the name given to a several-block stretch of 17th Avenue S.W. in Calgary, Alberta, Canada during the Calgary Flames 2004 Stanley Cup playoff run...
in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
during the Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
' 2004 cup run
2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames on June 7. It was Tampa Bay's first Stanley Cup...
and the Copper Kilometer in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
during the Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
' 2006 cup run
2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League championship began on April 21, 2006, following the 2005–06 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, seeded one through eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the conference quarterfinals...
, Ottawa Senators fans took to the streets to celebrate their team's success during the 2006-07 playoffs. The idea to have a 'Sens Mile' on the downtown Elgin Street
Elgin Street (Ottawa)
Elgin Street is a street in the Golden Triangle of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Originally named Biddy's Lane, it was later named after Lord Elgin....
, a street with numerous restaurants and pubs, began as a grassroots campaign on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
by Ottawa residents before Game 4 of the Ottawa-Buffalo Eastern Conference Final series. After the Game 5 win, Ottawa residents closed the street to traffic for a spontaneous celebration. The City of Ottawa then closed Elgin Street for each game of the Final.
Broadcasting and media
On television, home and away games are broadcast on Rogers SportsnetRogers Sportsnet
Sportsnet was launched on October 9, 1998 as CTV Sportsnet. The name was chosen to match the regional "Fox Sports Net" operations across the United States...
within the Ottawa River valley and Eastern Ontario. Rogers Sportsnet also broadcasts Senators games in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, the Maritime provinces
Maritimes
The Maritime provinces, also called the Maritimes or the Canadian Maritimes, is a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. On the Atlantic coast, the Maritimes are a subregion of Atlantic Canada, which also includes the...
and Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
as part of its 'Sportsnet East' network. CBC's Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
and TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
broadcast the Senators nationally in Canada. Dean Brown
Dean Brown (sportscaster)
Dean Brown is a Canadian hockey commentator. He is known for being the main play-by-play announcer for the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators since the team's return to the NHL at first on Ottawa's talk-radio station 580 CFRA in the franchise's first years, then on the Rawlco owned station...
is widely regarded as "the voice of the Ottawa Senators", and he provides play-by-play for most Senators' games broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
. He is joined on the Sportsnet broadcasts by Ottawa native and former NHL player Denis Potvin
Denis Potvin
Denis Charles Potvin is a former defenseman and team captain for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League and cornerstone for the Islanders' four Stanley Cup championship teams in the early 1980s. His brother, Jean Potvin, was also an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for...
.
On radio, all home and away games are broadcast on a network of local stations in eastern Ontario. The 'flagship' radio station is the Ottawa station Team 1200, which produces the broadcasts and provides the play-by-play announcers. Radio broadcasts on Team 1200 began in 1997–98 and the contract extends through the 2013–14 season. The Team 1200 audio is available over the Internet, and games are simulcast from the NHL main web site.
During the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, several games were only available in video on pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
or at local movie theatres in the Ottawa area. The "Sens TV" service was suspended indefinitely as of September 24, 2008.
The Senators' organization operates predominantly in English, but provides French services. The Senators' web site is in both languages. Arena announcements and press releases are in both languages. The Senators' ticket agency CapitalTickets.ca operates in English and French. The French-language cable television network RDS
Réseau des sports
Réseau des sports , is a Canadian French language Category C specialty channel showing sports and sport-related shows. It is available in 2.5 million homes, and is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc....
broadcasts a selection of Senators games. On the RDS network, former Senators goaltender Patrick Lalime
Patrick Lalime
Patrick Lalime is a Canadian professional ice hockey broadcaster and former player. Lalime played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres...
is the colour analyst, starting in the 2011–12 season
2011–12 Ottawa Senators season
The 2011–12 Ottawa Senators season is the 20th NHL season, for the Ottawa Senators National Hockey League team.-Team business:...
. The Senators are broadcast on radio in French through CKOI 104.7 in Gatineau, Quebec
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
. Play-by-play is done by Nicolas St. Pierre and the colour commentary of Alain Sanscartier.
Team captains
| Nat | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurie Boschman Laurie Boschman Laurie Joseph Boschman is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey centre who played in the NHL for 14 seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators, a team in which he was captain of in his final NHL season.He currently lives in... |
 |
1992 | 1993 |
| Mark Lamb Mark Lamb Mark W. Lamb is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is currently the head coach of the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
|
1993 | 1994 |
| Brad Shaw Brad Shaw Bradley William Shaw is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Shaw is currently an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues.-Career:... |
|
||
| Gord Dineen Gord Dineen Gordon M. Dineen is an American professional ice hockey coach. He is a former NHL defenceman.Although born in Canada, Dineen spent much of his youth in the United States, while his father Bill Dineen played and coached professionally. He returned to Canada to play major junior hockey for the... |
|
||
| No captain | 1994 | 1995 (lockout) | |
| Randy Cunneyworth Randy Cunneyworth Randolph William Cunneyworth is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach. He played professionally in the National Hockey League in a twenty-year career.-Playing career:... |
|
1995 | 1998 |
| Alexei Yashin Alexei Yashin Alexei Valeryevich Yashin is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a member of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League... |
 |
1998 | 1999 |
| Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators... |
 |
1999 | present |
Source: Ottawa Senators 2009–10 Media Guide, p. 206.
Lamb, Shaw and Dineen were co-captains for the 1993–94 season.
Head coaches
| Nat | From | To | Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | OTL | Pct | G | W | L | Pct | ||||
| Rick Bowness Rick Bowness Richard Gary Bowness is a Canadian former National Hockey League right winger and currently an associate coach with the Vancouver Canucks. He played for the Atlanta Flames, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets and Central Hockey League, AHL and QMJHL teams... |
|
1992 | 1996 | 235 | 39 | 178 | 18 | — | .204 | — | — | — | — |
| Dave Allison Dave Allison David Bryan Allison is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in three games with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League during the 1983-84 season and is perhaps best known for a brief stint as head coach of the NHL's Ottawa Senators during the 1995–1996... |
|
1996 | 1996 | 25 | 2 | 22 | 1 | — | .100 | — | — | — | — |
| Jacques Martin | |
1996 | 2004 | 692 | 341 | 234 | 82 | 20 | .592 | 66 | 31 | 35 | .470 |
| Roger Neilson Roger Neilson Roger Paul Neilson, CM was a National Hockey League coach, and was responsible for many innovations in the game... |
|
2002 | 2002 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 | — | — | — | — |
| Bryan Murray | |
2005 | 2008 | 182 | 107 | 55 | — | 20 | .643 | 34 | 18 | 16 | .529 |
| John Paddock John Paddock Alvin John Paddock is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and the former head coach of the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . During his long career in the American Hockey League he won five Calder Cup championships and was inducted into the AHL's Hall... |
|
2007 | 2008 | 64 | 36 | 22 | — | 6 | .609 | — | — | — | — |
| Craig Hartsburg Craig Hartsburg Craig William Hartsburg is a retired Canadian professional hockey player and associate coach in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames. He also coached in the Ontario Hockey League. He has previously been an NHL head coach with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and... |
|
2008 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
2009 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
48 | 17 | 24 | — | 7 | .427 | — | — | — | — |
| Cory Clouston Cory Clouston Cory Clouston is an ice hockey coach, currently the head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He has previously served as head coach of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League , the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League , and the Kootenay Ice of... |
|
2009 | 2011 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
198 | 95 | 83 | — | 20 | .530 | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 |
| Paul MacLean | |
2011 | present | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
General managers
| Nat | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mel Bridgman Mel Bridgman Melvin John Bridgman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1975–76 until 1988–89.... |
|
1991 | 1993 |
| Randy Sexton Randy Sexton Randy Sexton is a Canadian ice hockey executive, businessman and former athlete. He is currently assistant director of amateur scouting for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He most recently was the general manager of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. He was one of the... |
|
1993 | 1995 |
| Pierre Gauthier Pierre Gauthier For the Canadian politician see Pierre Gauthier Pierre Gauthier is an ice hockey administrator in the National Hockey League... |
|
1995 | 1998 |
| Rick Dudley Rick Dudley Richard Clarence Dudley is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. Dudley was previously the general manager of several hockey teams. Dudley played in the World Hockey Association and in the National Hockey League. Dudley has also served as a head coach in the National... |
|
1998 | 1999 |
| Marshall Johnston Marshall Johnston Lawrence "Marshall" Johnston is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars and California Golden Seals... |
|
1999 | 2002 |
| John Muckler John Muckler John Muckler is a professional hockey coach and executive, most recently serving as the general manager of the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. Muckler has over 50 years of professional hockey experience as a part owner, general manager, director of player personnel, director of hockey operations, head... |
|
2002 | 2007 |
| Bryan Murray | |
2007 | present |
Source: Ottawa Senators 2009–10 Media Guide, p. 206.
Hall of Famers
- Roger NeilsonRoger NeilsonRoger Paul Neilson, CM was a National Hockey League coach, and was responsible for many innovations in the game...
- Senators assistant coach & head coach (2001–03), was inducted (as a Builder) on November 4, 2002, for his career in coaching.
Retired numbers
- 8 - Frank FinniganFrank FinniganFrancis Arthur Clarence "The Shawville Express" Finnigan was a Canadian ice hockey professional forward who played in the National Hockey League from 1923 to 1937. During this time, he played for the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St...
, on opening night, October 8, 1992. Finnigan was honoured for his play from 1923 through 1934 for the original Ottawa Senators (as a right wing, 1923-31 & 1932-34). He was the last surviving Senator from the Stanley Cup winners of 1927 and participated in the 'Bring Back The Senators' campaign. - 99 - Wayne GretzkyWayne GretzkyWayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, on February 6, 2000. Gretzky's sweater number was retired league-wide by the NHL.(Source:
Season-by-season record
For the full season-by-season history, see List of Ottawa Senators seasonsNote: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Last five seasons
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2006–07 | 82 | 48 | 25 | 9 | 105 | 288 | 222 | 2nd, Northeast | Lost in Finals, 1–4 (Ducks Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... ) |
| 2007–08 | 82 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 94 | 261 | 247 | 2nd, Northeast | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... ) |
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 83 | 213 | 231 | 4th, Northeast | Did not qualify |
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
82 | 44 | 32 | 6 | 94 | 225 | 238 | 2nd, Northeast | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... ) |
| 2010-11 | 82 | 32 | 40 | 10 | 74 | 192 | 250 | 5th, Northeast | Did not qualify |
Records as of end of the 2010–11 NHL season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
.
All-time
| GP | W | L | T | OTL | |
| All-Time | 1282 | 562 | 530 | 115 | 75 |
| Home | 641 | 306 | 232 | 60 | 43 |
| Away | 641 | 256 | 298 | 55 | 32 |
As of the end of the 2008–09 season.
Team scoring leaders
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history, post-1992, after the 2010–11 season:Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game average;
| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | P/G |
| Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators... * |
RW | 1,056 | 389 | 634 | 1023 | .97 |
| Jason Spezza Jason Spezza Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League... * |
C | 526 | 192 | 340 | 532 | 1.01 |
| Alexei Yashin Alexei Yashin Alexei Valeryevich Yashin is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a member of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League... † |
C | 504 | 218 | 273 | 491 | .98 |
| Wade Redden Wade Redden Wade Redden is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in the New York Rangers organization for its American Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. He joined the New York Rangers in 2008 after 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators... † |
D | 838 | 101 | 309 | 410 | .49 |
| Radek Bonk Radek Bonk Radek Bonk is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:... † |
C | 689 | 152 | 247 | 399 | .58 |
| Marian Hossa Marian Hossa Marián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and... † |
RW | 467 | 188 | 202 | 390 | .84 |
| Dany Heatley Dany Heatley Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002... † |
LW | 317 | 180 | 182 | 362 | 1.14 |
| Mike Fisher† | C | 675 | 167 | 181 | 348 | .51 |
| Shawn McEachern Shawn McEachern Shawn K. McEachern is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. He is the current head boys' varsity ice hockey coach at The Rivers School, an independent 6–12 school in Weston, Massachusetts.... † |
LW | 454 | 142 | 162 | 304 | .67 |
| Chris Phillips Chris Phillips Chris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded... * |
D | 945 | 60 | 177 | 237 | .25 |
Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season. Totals contain only games played for Ottawa.
Sources:
† Ottawa Senators.
A. NHL.
B. NHL.
C. NHL.
Team records
| Franchise record | Name of player | Statistic | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals in a season | Dany Heatley Dany Heatley Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002... |
50 | 2005–06 2006–07 |
| Most assists in a season | Jason Spezza Jason Spezza Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League... |
71 | 2005–06 |
| Most points in a season | Dany Heatley Dany Heatley Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002... |
105 | 2006–07 |
| Most points in a season, defenceman | Norm MacIver Norm Maciver Norman Steven Maciver is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Maciver played in the National Hockey League as a member of the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes franchise.-Playing... |
63 | 1992–93 |
| Most points in a season, rookie | Alexei Yashin Alexei Yashin Alexei Valeryevich Yashin is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a member of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League... |
79 | 1993–94 |
| Most penalty minutes in a season | Mike Peluso Mike David Peluso Michael David Peluso, is an American former professional ice hockey player. Peluso was known primarily as an enforcer throughout his National Hockey League career. Peluso played in the NHL from 1990 until 1998... |
318 | 1992–93 |
| Highest +/- rating in a season | Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators... |
2006–07 | |
| Most playoff games played | Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators... |
101 | (milestone) |
| Most goaltender wins in a season | Patrick Lalime Patrick Lalime Patrick Lalime is a Canadian professional ice hockey broadcaster and former player. Lalime played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres... |
39 | 2002–03 |
| Most shutouts in a season | Patrick Lalime Patrick Lalime Patrick Lalime is a Canadian professional ice hockey broadcaster and former player. Lalime played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres... |
8 | 2002–03 |
| Lowest G.A.A. Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... in a season |
Ron Tugnutt Ron Tugnutt Ronald Frederick Bradley Tugnutt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the NHL with several teams from 1987–2004 and is currently an assistant coach with the OHL's Peterborough Petes.-Early years:Tugnutt was born in Scarborough, Ontario and played three seasons... |
1.79 | 1998–99 |
| Best save percentage in a season | Ron Tugnutt Ron Tugnutt Ronald Frederick Bradley Tugnutt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the NHL with several teams from 1987–2004 and is currently an assistant coach with the OHL's Peterborough Petes.-Early years:Tugnutt was born in Scarborough, Ontario and played three seasons... |
.925 | 1998–99 |
Source: Ottawa Senators.
See also
- Battle of Ontario
- Bell SensplexBell SensplexThe Bell Sensplex is a four-pad ice facility, located in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is the primary practice facility of the Ottawa Senators NHL team. In a partnership with the City of Ottawa, it is also used for minor hockey and hosts the annual Bell Capital Cup ice hockey tournament....
- List of NHL players
- List of NHL seasons
- List of ice hockey teams in Ontario
- Lyndon SlewidgeLyndon SlewidgeLyndon Slewidge is an Ontario Provincial Police officer who also sings anthems for the Ottawa Senators hockey club. He has been the club's official anthem singer since 1994, and is familiar with at least 13 national anthems. Slewidge typically ends an anthem with a wink and a thumbs up...