Ottawa Senators Accentuate the Positive Heading Towards a New Season

Though the puck has yet to drop to open the Ottawa Senators 2023-24 season, there was plenty of positivity in the air Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre.

The Senators invited several long-term season ticket holders, sponsors, social media influencers and local media to taste fresh new food selections, learn about the club’s special event and giveaway nights – yes, there will be a Brady Tkachuk bobblehead night, on January 27; a new parking app; plus the Senators Community Foundation laid out their plan which includes contributing to youth mental health initiatives.

The good news; with a 90%-plus renewal rate, the sale of season tickets is up 35% from last season.

Incoming majority owner Michael Andlauer made a surprise visit. While Senators Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson also made appearances.

For Sanderson, it’s been a whirlwind 24 hours or so since arriving in Ottawa from Michigan Wednesday afternoon.

The 21-year-old defenseman received a call from his agent Pat Brisson, telling him an agreement was in place to sign an eight-year, $64.4 million contract.

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Sanderson explained the events of the day.

“I drove in yesterday from Michigan. So I got in around three or four and went straight to my place. Ridly Greig was there and we were just unpacking everything in the place and, you know, got a phone call from the agent. And I was so excited. I tried to get a hold of my dad, (Geoff) but he was fishing. He was on a river somewhere with no service. So I had to wait a couple of hours. I was kind of sweating out for a bit, but once I got a hold of him, and my mom, I told him right away and I was so excited. So I hopped in the shower and put some nice clothes on. And later that night, (Senators General Manager) Pierre (Dorion) came over, so it was good.”

Making a long-term commitment to the Ottawa Senators is something Sanderson was excited about doing.

“I mean those numbers are life-changing. I want to be here for a while. I want to be with Brady. I want to be with Timmy (Stützle). I want to be with Josh (Norris). I want to be with those guys for a while and you know build something special here. So yeah, when I got the call I was I was very excited.”

Sanderson believes his team is ready to win now.

“You just see you see the chemistry in the locker room. It’s something that will be here for a while, and I think we’re going to win within the next couple of years. We just know that. So I want to be here for that. That’s the main thing when you play hockey, to win the Stanley Cup. So you know that group are ready for it.’

#Sens Jake Sanderson can't wait to get on the ice. @FullPressNHL pic.twitter.com/Dze4bxlz2t

— Murray Pam (@Pammerhockey) September 7, 2023

For Chabot who’s entering his seventh full season with the Senators, he too feels his teammates are ready to take the next step towards a playoff berth,

“I think we can all agree to that. I mean, everything happens on the ice. It’s game after game, one game at a time but at the end of the day, this is like I said; we’re all getting a bit older. We’ve been through the rebuild and we were close until almost the end of the season last year. So now it’s obviously everybody that’s willing and everybody wants to be part of the dance and at the end of the season.”

As for Sanderson landing his new deal, Chabot was elated.

“I mean, everybody’s fired up. He’s so talented. What he proved last year, he’s earned every bit of it, and obviously, you guys get to know him too, a little bit, his attitude, and the way he carries himself around the room seems like he’s way older than his age. And I think every guy appreciates that in the locker room and obviously, we’re all happy for him and for him to be in the City of Ottawa. I think everybody is probably very, very excited and it’s got to be very exciting to have him around for what eight-nine years. He’s earned every bit of it, and obviously, we’re all excited to have him.”

Next up is the Ottawa Senators Community Foundation golf event on September 19, medicals the following day, and players hit the ice officially on the 21st.

As they say, “Is it October yet?” No, but the season will soon be just around the corner.