Senators hoist No. 11 to the rafters
Former captain Alfredsson first player in club’s modern history to have jersey retired
OTTAWA — For 17 seasons, the Ottawa Senators could always count on Daniel Alfredsson.
Thursday night, they gave his tremendous career a poignant salute.
The former Senators captain had his No. 11 retired and he admitted the whole experience was a little blurry.
“Surreal. I think the reception walking out on the ice was a special feeling, also the speech by my brother (Henric) and (former defenceman) Wade (Redden) as well,” said Alfredsson following the ceremony.
“When you have people sharing something like this, family and friends surrounding, it makes it truly special, so I’m kind of happy the speech part is over so I can sit back and enjoy this game tonight. But what an experience.
“I knew it would be a positive event, but I didn’t know what to expect, really. The crowd was obviously really into it and it’s hard when to step in and let them go. I thought it was just perfect, just an unbelievable experience for me and my family.”
Alfredsson said being the first player in the club’s modern history to have his jersey retired means a lot.
“It’s a huge honour,” said Alfredsson. “I think we talked about it, I did and Wade, about we think what we accomplished here as a young group under Jacques (Martin) and bringing a franchise that was young into respectability and a contender in the league.
“All the work we put in, a lot of us, coaches and players and staff ... I think I’m part of that success and I think it reflects that period of time. That’s what I’m going to think of when I see my jersey up there.”
The team’s current players were looking forward to this as well.
“We’re glad it’s finally time to honour and retire No. 11. It’s very special for a special person as well,” said Senators captain Erik Karlsson.
When Karlsson arrived in Ottawa as a rookie in 2009, Alfredsson allowed the young defencemen to move into his house and took him under his wing.
“Being around for him such a long time and being at that stage of my life where I was still young and had a lot to learn, I’ve progressed as a human being around him for as much as I got the opportunity to do,” Karlsson said.
“Even now we’re close friends and we spend a lot of time together. I’m still growing and learning from him. It’s hard to put the finger on exactly what it is, but I think I probably would have been a totally different person if it wasn’t for him.”