Attend an Ottawa Senators 30th Anniversary kick-off media event. Get caught up on all the pertinent news from President of Business Operations Anthony LeBlanc. Meet the club’s prized offseason acquisition, forward Alex DeBrincat for the first time in person.
Learn about upcoming promotional nights and giveaways; in addition to sampling new food options at the Canadian Tire Centre.
And last, but certainly not least, witness 20-year-old Tim Stützle sign the richest contract in Senators franchise history.
Tim Stützle personally delivers massive news as he signs an eight-year extension…in front of everyone!#GoSensGo | #SeasonPremiere | @Bell pic.twitter.com/SkGKe4IRK8
Stützle’s eight-year, $66.8 million deal makes him the highest-paid Ottawa Senator in terms of average annual value ($8.35M) starting the 2023-24 campaign – surpassing Brady Tkachuk‘s $8.205M.
Extending Tim Stützle for the following eight years beyond this season is another feather in the cap of what’s been termed the “Hot Summer of Pierre;” that is Senators general manager Pierre Dorion.
Dorion previously traded multiple picks at the Draft for a 41-goal scorer in DeBrincat; signed Claude Giroux through free agency; inked restricted free agent Josh Norris to an eight-year contract; and acquired all-star goalie Cam Talbot in a swap of netminders.
No caption required. #Sens @FullPressNHL pic.twitter.com/2M193y4vRF
Not being able to wipe his now-patented constant smile from his face, the Senators GM was brimming with praise for the club’s 2020 third overall selection, “This is a great day for us, signing our most-skilled forward, a really key component for our future success to eight years. I think a lot of credit goes to him. He wanted to get this done. When we started the negotiation, probably late-July, or early August, (Stützle’s agent) Ben Hankinson kept on telling me he really wants to get this done. He wants to focus on playing hockey, focus on winning. Seeing everything he’s done over the last while, he’s really invested in being an Ottawa Senator.”
Dorion added, “You look at every part of his game – he’s dynamic. He’s got speed. He’s got skill. He has great hockey instincts, He’s learned how to check, play centre. This league can eat you up at times, and it did at times when he was 18 years old, but now when he’s out there, he’s so dynamic that I think he can be a future superstar in this league.”
Tim Stützle, himself was understandably ecstatic after missing 10 calls from Hankinson while he was back on the ice for the first time, skating at the Bell Sensplex with his new Senator teammates, “For me, it’s really important that everyone is buying in. For me, the numbers are not important with the team we have. I’m super-excited about that.”
“Since Day One I got here, I felt all the good things that could happen. Everyone supported us as a team. And everyone took care of us. I’m really thankful for everything,” noted Stützle.
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Stützle’s future linemate, Alex DeBrincat is slowly getting acclimated to his new surroundings, which includes garbage pickup every other week, “It’s not too bad. I think it comes down to the way they’ve been treating me. Everyone has been great. I can’t tell you how many people have said, “If you need anything, make sure you call me no matter what,” so we feel pretty safe here and comfortable. It’s been good.”
The Michigan native is looking forward to start of the season, “I’m looking forward to playing with the young core. You’ve got Giroux here after I got traded. I’m just super-excited to play with those guys and that caliber of players. There’s anywhere down the line that I can play with somebody and anyone who has amazing skill that can make plays.”
#Sens Sr Director Communications @Morris_Brian quizzing Alex DeBrincat. @FullPressNHL pic.twitter.com/VaTAR2kfU4
There was plenty to take in away from the ice too.
Anthony LeBlanc announced the return of former Senator Chris Phillips to the fold. Phillips will work alongside LeBlanc in his new position as vice president of business operations. While another Senators Alumni Chris Neil who previously served as a team ambassador, shifts to the role of vice-president of business operations and community development.
Owning well-known businesses in the Ottawa area Phillips and Neil possess strong business acumen and are extremely familiar with particulars of the Senators’ fanbase.
LeBlanc also stated season ticket purchases are up 60 percent from their 2019 total. And that the organization is gathering ideas/concepts for the proposed arena at LeBreton Flats.
LeBlanc and Erin Crowe, Senators vice-president and chief financial officer embarked on tours of Rogers Arena in Edmonton and Climate Pledge in Seattle on an information-gathering trip.
The Senators president of business ops said his preferred seating capacity of the new building is 16,500.
Chelsea McDermott, senior manager of marketing/promotions highlighted several must-see games for fans to attend.
One of those games, Star Wars night features a Senators’ light saber giveaway.
Chelsea McDermott, #Sens senior manager of marketing/promotions announces several community and theme nights. @FullPressNHL pic.twitter.com/BJTTlo9eA5
Next up for the Senators is their charity golf tournament on September 20, quickly followed by player medicals and on-ice skates starting two weeks today.
This article first appeared on Full Press Hockey and was syndicated with permission.
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