Pitre and the Senators enjoyed a special bond

The Ottawa Senators suited up with heavy hearts Friday.

The team had formed a special bond with 17-year-old Jonathan Pitre over the years.

“It’s sad news, to say the least, to wake up to this morning,” said Ottawa centre Zack Smith following the club’s morning skate in Pittsburgh.

“He was definitely a shining light in our organization, especially for our team.

“I’ve known him for a few years now and he’s always been there throughout the season and, depending on how he was doing, we were able to see him. It was a pleasure to know him . ... A lot of people are never going to forget ... just how brave a person he was and how courageous he was.”

Senators general manager Pierre Dorion, who sat with Pitre in 2014 when he was signed to a contract to be a scout for the day, sent condolences on behalf of the Ottawa organization to the boy’s mother, Tina Boileau.

“We all got know Jonathan over the last four years,” Dorion said. “Jonathan was someone very special. He was a big Senators fan and he loved this hockey team more than anyone else

“At the same time, it was great for many of us to spend time with him — whether it was the day that he was a scout and we watched the Nashville game together or when he came and spoke at development camp or even some of us that got to hear him speak at WE Day.

“Jonathan was really a special person. He was someone that exudes the words character and determination, with what he had to go through on a daily basis, just shows us that life and the bigger picture is way more important than anything else.

“Our condolences to the family. Tina is a great lady and what she had to go through with Jonathan. Jonathan will be in our thoughts and prayers in the next few days.”

Coach Guy Boucher talked about how special Pitre’s courage was.

“I think courage like that lives on and I think we were lucky to be part of his life a little bit,” Boucher said.

Last season, when the Senators landed in Minnesota to prepare to face the Wild the next night, they brightened Tina and Jonathan’s day by dropping by his apartment in Minneapolis to spend a few minutes with them.

Pitre was thrilled the team visited and the Senators were happy they got the chance to see him.

“We were all saddened to see and hear that news when we all found out,” said Ottawa defenceman Mark Borowiecki. “Jonathan, and Tina his mom, when we were in Minnesota that was the first interaction I had with Jonathan and he was an impressive young man.

“His disposition and his attitude, given the circumstances, was like nothing I’ve ever seen, and his mom as well. Our hearts go out to all of them.”

Borowiecki said Pitre fought a brave battle.

“Given his situation and what life had handed him and the way that he handled himself was beyond impressive,” Borowiecki said. “It’s one of those things that gives you a bit of perspective on life.

“He was up against so much and he always had a smile on his face and he was always positive. That’s something we can all learn from.”

Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson, who is at home with his wife, Melinda, as they grieve the loss of their son on March 19, tweeted out a message about Pitre on Friday morning.

“It was a privilege getting to know you Jonathan Pitre, thanks for sharing all of your great qualities with us all,” Karlsson wrote. “You will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers to Tina and the entire Pitre family.”

Smith said Pitre’s approach to life was inspirational.

“Every time you’d go see him or he came to the room you’d watch him and you’d hear about what he’s going through and you can’t really grasp how he has such a positive outlook on life,” Smith said. “In the years that I’ve known him I’ve never seen him looking down or feeling sorry for himself.

“When we went to visit him in Minnesota, he was just getting ready for treatment, he was very sick, with not a lot of energy, and we thought we were there to pick him up and give him motivation, and all he had was nice words for us. He was asking guys how their wife or kids were doing.

“You forget the kid was 16 and he talks like he’s 30 years old and he was wise beyond his years. Whenever we sent to see him or he came around he never made it about himself. He just made it known he was happy to be a part of our organization and he was just happy to be there and it’s amazing how inspiring a kid that young can be for so many people.”