The Hall Awaits Daniel Alfredsson No More

It will be a “Beautiful Day” Monday when Daniel Alfredsson finally gets his due as an honourary member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in his fifth year of eligibility. Alfredsson will be officially inducted in the HHOF along with fellow Swedes, Former Vancouver Canucks’ Daniel and Henrik Sedin; in addition to another ex-Canuck Roberto Luongo, Women’s Finnish hockey great, Riikka Sallinen and Herb Carnegie in the Builder’s category.

Alfredsson wasn’t the most dynamic player in Ottawa Senators’ annals, that spot will always be reserved for Erik Karlsson. However, the admiration and respect for Alfredsson extends beyond the ice surface in the city of Ottawa.

At the urging of then-general manager, the late John Ferguson, Alfredsson was selected 133rd overall in the 1994 Entry Draft. After playing one more year with Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League, the Gothenburg, Sweden native arrived in Ottawa to stay.

Daniel and his wife, Bibi made Ottawa their home. Their four boys, Hugo, Loui, Fenix and William Erik were all born in the city.

Alfredsson entrenched himself in matters near and dear to his heart – becoming a beacon for breaking through the stigma of Mental Health, joining the advisory board at the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health in support of his sister, Cecilia who suffers from an anxiety disorder.

He also lent his support to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ottawa. And in September 2016, Alfredsson was granted Canadian citizenship. And was awarded Key to the City in 2015. Alfredsson was also awarded the Meritorious Service Cross by Canada’s Governor General David Johnston in 2016.

But for Senators’ fans, “Alfie” embodied everything you want in a hockey player.

A special guest for a special night! Daniel Alfredsson surprised fans for tonight's home opener!#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/2Et94hyQj5

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 19, 2022

Alfredsson was the first modern-day Ottawa Senator to have his sweater retired, His familiar no.11 was raised the rafters on December 29, 2016.

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While Chris Phillps surpassed Alfredsson as the franchise leader in career games by one, Alfredsson ranks first in all offensive categories.

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Daniel Alfredsson (17 seasons)

Regular season

Games – 1178 – 2nd

Goals – 426 – 1st

Assist – 682 – 1st

Points – 1108 -1st

Playoffs

Games – 121 – 1st

Goals – 51 – 1st

Assists – 49 – 1st

Points – 100 – 1st

Among Alfredsson’s many accolades:

Served as Senators’ captain from 1999-2013.

First European-born captain to lead his club to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.

Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year – 1995.

Second Team All-Star 2005.

King Clancy Memorial Trophy recognizing leadership on and off the ice and outstanding contributions to their community – 2011.

Mark Messier Leadership Award – 2012.

Senators’ single-game record-holder in points, registering seven (three goals, four assists) January 24, 2008.

First NHL player to score a shootout goal.

Scored Game 5 Overtime goal on May 19, 2007, to send Senators to the Stanley Cup Final.

Five Olympic Games – winning Gold (2006), Silver (2014).

Seven World Championships – Silver (1995, 2004), Bronze (1999, 2001).

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Alfredsson also displayed an honest and charismatic side.

He told this scribe during a 2010 interview for The Hockey News paperback, Blood Feuds. Hockey’s Best-Ever Rivalries, that hit on Toronto Maple Leafs Darcy Tucker that led to his game-winning goal in the 2002 playoffs would’ve been called a penalty in today’s game, “In today’s game, it would’ve been a penalty. At the time (the officials) didn’t call a penalty as it was late in the third period of the playoffs.”

In another incident in which Alfredsson feigned a stick toss into the crowd in Toronto – something Maple Leafs Mats Sundin received a one-game suspension for after breaking a stick in a game in 2004.

Alfredsson said in that same interview. “It wasn’t planned. I had broken three-four sticks in the morning, another three in the game. It just happened to be in Toronto.” 

Alfredsson thought the entire episode was “blown of out of proportion” and that Sundin “thought it was funny.”

There was also the “Probably not” quote when asked by Le Droit’s Sylvain St. Laurent in 2013 if the Senators could come back from a three games to one deficit to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs.

Then Alfredsson left for his final campaign of his playing career in 2013-14, signing with the Detroit Red Wings in free agency. Alfredsson said he wanted to pursue a Cup. That summer in at an event at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, he explained, he had given the Senators a hometown discount and felt he was more deserving of a higher salary to remain in Ottawa – playing his last season of a front-loaded contract for $1 million.

Alfredsson eventually returned to the organization in September 2015, only to leave two years later for family reasons.

To endearment from Senators’ fans continues today, and it’s hoped Alfredsson will re-join the club in due time. Daniel, himself continues to acknowledge his preference to do so. It’s hoped one day he’ll return.

But for now, fans of the team can rejoice that their “Alfie” is the newest honourary member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.