Kevin Francis: Senators fans rejoice with Alfie getting elected to The Hockey Hall of Fame

My biggest memory of Alfie will be his determination to win with this franchise. There certainly were times during his tenure that media and fans alike gave him a hard time for early playoff exits and it would have been easy for him to move on much earlier in his career. He stuck around. I'll always remember hearing him in an interview that he said he would have retired had he won the cup in '07. Dude stuck around long after that while dealing with Mickey Mouse ownership and tried everything in his power to bring a Cup to Ottawa.

He was a big game player. Game 5 of the conference final in '07 and his last goal in a Sens jersey to tie the game in the dying seconds shorthanded in the playoffs come to mind. He also wasn't afraid to rustle a few feathers. The Tucker hit, Niedermyer shot, and Sundin mocking come to mind.

Very deserving honour for Alfie and the franchise. Would certainly be nice to see him involved in hockey ops in one way or another. Not sure that is in the cards in the next couple of months but would certainly be nice to see a night at the CTC dedicated to Alfie and his induction. That would certainly be a step in the right direction.

Personal memory, Alfie was my first ever autograph as a youngster back in 96 or 97 at the "Skate with the Sens" event. Remember him being excited to see my friends and I skate up to him. Don't think he cut he his hair from that day forward for awhile.

Not the biggest or most charismatic personality, but Alfie paid his dues, put up the numbers, and has always been a great brand ambassador for the Sens. The guy was a competitor right until the end, took team friendly deals, loved this city. He's one of the very few players in league history who played into his forties and not once signed a deal for less money than his previous contract (possibly the only). No swan songs for Alfredsson - such was his value on the ice.

His imitation of Sundin throwing his stick into the crowd. Most important, the melting down reaction of the Toronto media having to deal with this sacrilege.

Come on folks, show the hockey world on HB that we are a passionate fan base!!!!!

His imitation of Sundin throwing his stick into the crowd. Most important, the melting down reaction of the Toronto media having to deal with this sacrilege.
- spatso

Priceless!

Not the biggest or most charismatic personality, but Alfie paid his dues, put up the numbers, and has always been a great brand ambassador for the Sens. The guy was a competitor right until the end, took team friendly deals, loved this city. He's one of the very few players in league history who played into his forties and not once signed a deal for less money than his previous contract (possibly the only). No swan songs for Alfredsson - such was his value on the ice.
- Bartacus

Well said!!

Personal memory, Alfie was my first ever autograph as a youngster back in 96 or 97 at the "Skate with the Sens" event. Remember him being excited to see my friends and I skate up to him. Don't think he cut he his hair from that day forward for awhile.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I love those type of memories and stories. Come on folks, lets hear more!!

LeBreton. Alfie to HHOF.

Sens reaching out to find equity partners.

#7 pick in the draft next week.

Promises of a trade/signing of a top 6 forward and top 4 Dman.

Been a great week to be a Sens fan!

Come on folks, show the hockey world on HB that we are a passionate fan base!!!!!
- Kevin Francis

HB is dead Kev. Everybody went on to twitter to fight every 10 minutes...and avoid the ads.

Awesome news... very deserving player. I remember a lot of the comments on other boards last year about why he shouldn't be in the HHOF, but it was pure BS... guess the NHL agreed. It's borderline criminal that he didn't get to finish his career in Ottawa, but he's still the benchmark against which any Senators player will be measured in terms of tenure and importance.

Hope my memory is correct.

Alfie scored winner 1996/97 last season game to send the franchise to playoffs for 1st time

Awesome news... very deserving player. I remember a lot of the comments on other boards last year about why he shouldn't be in the HHOF, but it was pure BS... guess the NHL agreed. It's borderline criminal that he didn't get to finish his career in Ottawa, but he's still the benchmark against which any Senators player will be measured in terms of tenure and importance.
- khawk

My memory is likely faulty but did he not suit up as a Senator before officialy retiring? But i getchya its to too bad there is that blip in his career of being a nonSens

My memory is likely faulty but did he not suit up as a Senator before officialy retiring? But i getchya its to too bad there is that blip in his career of being a nonSens
- spazzbot

he did.
And I fluked bonus 100 level seats right at beside their team Dr. near the on-ice entrance way and I filmed him walking (in full gear) down the tunnel to emerge for the warm up. It wasn't the biggest kept secret but it was pretty cool. Why did get those seats? Turns out our season ticket package allowed one free 100 level upgrade. Being a closet ny Islanders fan....I picked the Isles game of course. And wouldn't you know Alfie's retirement, warm up skate game would be that one.

One last thing i just remembered.
A semi interview with him in his first year in ottawa. It was in a chain convienance store. They found him shopping for his dinner. He was buying pop tarts and milk. He went on to say how milk is good for leg strength.

Funny. And crazy.

He was 110 % dedicated to the Sens, and for that, I will love him forever. Only negative memory of him I have is the Niedermayer incident in the cup final. I always loved how he would re tie his skates during TV timeouts. Congrats Alfie, you earned it!!!!!

Daniel Alfredsson scored the OT goal to get the Ottawa Senators to their FIRST Stanley Cup Finals. If not for 4 hall of fame players on the other side (Neidermyer, Pronger, Selanne, Getzlaf) and maybe a 5th with Corey Perry, Sens would've won their first Stanley Cup

I was one of the over 1000 people outside the Arena watching the game with a BIG screen. It was one the best days of my life. So fun, energetic

I remember in 2008 I made a joke that the Sens should trade Spezza and Heatley for the Sedin twins. My friends and people I was saying this to were calling me crazy but in 2010 Henrik Sedin won the Art Ross Trophy. Daniel Sedin the year after.

I just wanted to see a line with D.Sedin - H.Sedin - Alfredsson

Now they all go into the HHOF together. Awesome!

This isn't about Alfredsson but it's a really good, well written article about building a winning team and by applying it to Ottawa we can see highlighted some of the glaring inadequacies in the Sens organization.

Sean Maloughney: What Can Edmonton Take From Colorado's Cup Win?

My memory is likely faulty but did he not suit up as a Senator before officialy retiring? But i getchya its to too bad there is that blip in his career of being a nonSens
- spazzbot

Well-noted, yes I meant retiring as a career-Senators player. I don't really consider that 1-game business to be all that legitimate vs. him actually playing his last game wearing the "C" on the jersey, and getting the send-off he deserved.

This isn't about Alfredsson but it's a really good, well written article about building a winning team and by applying it to Ottawa we can see highlighted some of the glaring inadequacies in the Sens organization.

I can't make it a link but it's currently an Oiler's piece.

Sean Maloughney: What Can Edmonton Take From Colorado's Cup Win?

This team should've had at least 1 cup!

Sadly the league didn't want the cup to come to Ottawa and decided that letting the Ducks run pick-plays like the NBA on every single offensive draw should be legal. Watch the highlights. It's nutz.

This team should've had at least 1 cup!


- AlfieisKing

Bad breaks with Emery and Hasek and stuck with friggin Patrick Lalime.