Selected first overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Alexandre Daigle was the “Chosen One” to lead the Ottawa Senators.
At 18 years old, Daigle was thrust into the limelight, signing the most lucrative rookie contract in league history: five years, $12.25 million. The entire focus was on his every move, on and off the ice.
In four-plus seasons in Ottawa, Daigle registered two 51-point campaigns, netting 26 goals in his final complete season with the team before being traded to Philadelphia. However, on the whole, the player who was dubbed the next great NHL superstar failed to live up to expectations.
And on January 26 on Amazon Prime Video and ESPN+ on January 27, the hockey world will get a glimpse into Daigle’s turbulent career as the now 48-year-old provides reflection “on how he navigated the gap between people’s projections and his everyday existence, revealing the pressure and internal turmoil of not living up to the impossible hype,” in Amazon’s Original hockey documentary, Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle, produced in collaboration with NHL Productions.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators
Devils: New Jersey Devils Options on the Goalie Market Dwindling
NHL: New York Islanders Hire Patrick Roy as Head Coach
Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 72: Big Deals In Winnipeg, Puck Drops On New NHL Season
PODCAST: Around the NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils
WANT MORE PODCASTS? Check Out Some Of The Latest From Around The FPC Network
In the documentary, Daigle is charismatic, candid, honest and humble, not pulling any punches.
We see additional insight from former Senators’ general manager Randy Sexton, Team President and CEO Cyril Leeder, Elmer Ferguson Award winner, former beat writer Roy McGregor, journalist Lindsay Berra, and player agent Pat Brisson. Some of the best conversations were with Daigle interacting with his dad, chilling on the deck in Riviere-Rouge, QC.
The Chosen One takes the viewer through Daigle’s journey from playing minor hockey as a teen to being drafted by the Senators and the high expectations for him. The Montreal area resident discusses his comment, “I’m glad I got drafted first because no one remembers number two,” and touches on his decision to wear a nurse’s outfit in an NHL trading card ad.
Daigle discusses negative interactions during his time with the Flyers and New York Rangers, one that led to prematurely ending his NHL career at only 25.
He spoke openly of dealing with depression.
But his story is also one of redemption. Daigle is committed to returning to the sport, making a triumphant comeback with the Minnesota Wild before finishing his playing career in Switzerland.
Most of all, the viewer sees the growth of a star athlete who was pretty or unfairly put on a pedestal and knocked down to see him as he is today, a content family man with his wife, Genevieve and three children.
Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle
Director: Jay Nelson
Executive producers: Steve Mayer, Ross Bernard & Craig Axelrod for NHL Productions; Gary Cohen