Ottawa Senators – Ottawa’s NHL heroes!

The Ottawa Senators; Ottawa’s NHL hockey gladiators – chasing the hockey player’s dream every year, and every year so far, falling short of the holy grail. Though admittedly, there have been some exciting moments.

Named For Nation’s Capital

The modern Ottawa Senators NHL hockey team, reputedly named after the nation’s capital and the fact that the Canadian Senate is located in Ottawa at the Parliament Buildings have been entertaining fans, if not bringing home the Stanley Cup, since 1992.

Mid-1990’s

In the mid ’90s, the Sens moved into the purpose-built, and comparatively palatial Palladium. This building, over time morphed into being named the Corel Center. Then, I guess a bigger bank account came into play, and it morphed from being named the Palladium to the Corel Center, and then into …  Scotiabank Place. But wait, there’s more!

Not that they ran out of money or anything, but perhaps didn’t think they were getting good value for the money paid to have the Senator’s Hockey arena name after them so for now the Ottawa Senators hockey arena is now known as… Canadian Tire Centre.

Yup, it’s now known as the Canadian Tire Centre. For those not in the know, Canadian Tire is a Canadian, nationwide chain of retail outlets selling automobile-related paraphernalia including tires of course and sporting goods with a heavy emphasis on skating and hockey. Some CTC locations are now selling housewares, furniture and food as well.

Could be a good fit, particularly if the success that Canadian Tire has earned over many years, rubs off on the Sens, and brings them to higher heights… and dare we say it, contention for the Stanley Cup?

Canadian Tire Centre

• 1000 Palladium Dr.
  Kanata, Ontario, K2V 1A5

Location of the Ottawa Senators home rink

The Sens' home ice is about 27 kilometers (approx. 17 miles) west of Ottawa’s Parliament Buildings located right off the 417 (Queensway). There are a couple of exits from the highway to the spacious parking areas.

OC Transpo (officially the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission, which is the public transit agency for the city of Ottawa) is an excellent option for safe, convenient travel to Canadian Tire Centre, and using the bus means you can avoid paying a parking fee.

Where do the Ottawa Senators practice?

When the Sens need to practice in their hometown, they do so at the Bell Sensplex.

The Sensplex is a joint venture, four-rink facility offering excellent skating resources to competitive hockey teams in Ottawa, including the Ottawa Senators.

Playoff Contenders

In their relatively short  life span, the modern Sens have managed to reach the playoffs ten times, and earned four division championships.

The Ottawa Senators’ farm team is the Belleville Senators.

The Stanley Cup, the holy grail of hockey, has evaded the modern Sens to this day.

Perhaps in the next season, we will finally see our Ottawa Senators bringing the Stanley Cup to Ottawa.  We can only hope.