The Alfie-Ottawa connection will live on for at least one more season.
Daniel Alfredsson has signed a one-year extension with the Ottawa Senators, the club announced Monday.
The franchise’s most iconic player will continue in his duties as the Senators’ senior advisor of hockey operations through 2016-17.
“It is great to have Daniel back as part of the Senators’ hockey department,” said Senators owner and chief executive officer Eugene Melnyk in a press release. “It is wonderful to know that Daniel and his family are returning to Ottawa and will once again make the nation’s capital their home. I look forward to the contributions Daniel will continue to make with our hockey club and in the community.”
Alfredsson, 43, will continue to work in the Senators hockey department, serving as an advisor to the hockey operations department with his duties focused at the NHL level, in a variety of areas.
“When I started this last year, I was not really sure what to expect,” Alfredsson said.
“This job has turned out to be exactly what I am looking for – the opportunity to be flexible and see so many of different requirements of working in an NHL front office. I’ve been able to do just about everything I could imagine, from being part of scouting meetings to working one-on-one with the players on the ice.
“Coming back to do this just feels right, both personally and professionally, and I look forward to helping the front office, coaches and players in any way I can to help us win.”
Alfredsson is the Senators’ all-time leader in goals (426), assists (682), points (1,108), power-play goals (131), shorthanded goals (25), game-winning goals (69), shots (3,320) and hat tricks (eight). Alfredsson also leaves as the franchise’s leader in playoff games (121), goals (51), assists (49) and points (100).
As team captain for 13 seasons (1999-00 to 2012-13), Alfredsson was the first Senator to capture a major NHL award, winning the Calder Trophy in 1995-96 and later the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2012-13.
“Daniel offers a fresh perspective and unique insights on what we do in hockey operations,” said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. “We feel this year we’ll be able to build on his experiences from last year and he’ll continue to be a valuable asset to our staff.”
