Daniel Alfredsson to receive key to the city

Daniel Alfredsson was honoured before the Ottawa Senators took on the Islanders and spoke to the crowd after a rousing video tribute.

The Ottawa Senators’ greatest captain, Daniel Alfredsson, will be honoured yet again this season by the NHL city that welcomed him home.

Alfredsson will receive the key to the city of Ottawa on March 5, mayor Jim Watson announced on Twitter Wednesday:

Jim Watson on Twitter

“I’m changing my locks,” current captain and friend Erik Karlsson told reporter Bruce Garrioch upon hearing the news.

The 42-year-old Alfredsson retired on Dec. 4 after 18 big-league seasons. He spent 17 of those with the Senators, where he holds a handful of franchise records, including goals, assists, points and game-winning goals.

The Senators sent Alfredsson off in style, having him participate in the pre-game skate and ceremony on the day of his retirement.

“The way I’ve been welcomed back has been almost surreal,” Alfredsson told Sportsnet at the time. “It’s as good an ending as anyone can hope for.”

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.