TORONTO | Daniel Alfredsson cracked a smile when told about his first training camp with the Ottawa Senators. And for good reason.
• Read also: Senators to retire Chris Neil’s number
• Read also: Hockey Hall of Fame entry: ‘still surreal’ for Daniel Alfredsson
• Read also: Herb Carnegie, the pillar of diversity
He remembers his first day like it was yesterday. He was arriving in a new country and in a new city to begin the next chapter of his career.
“I forgot my skates the first day of my first training camp with the Senators,” recalled Daniel Alfredsson. It was a bit embarrassing.
“The Senators got me a pair that had been used before, but was two points too big for me. »
Alfredsson showed up in America as the Senators’ sixth-round draft pick in 1994. He knew he had to make a good impression in front of Senators officials.
“It was a big challenge. I had to prove that I could play in the best league in the world, added the former number 11. I had trained very hard during the summer.
“If I didn’t make the team, at least I would have given everything. I was well prepared. The good news is that my style of play suited the smaller rinks better. »
L’impact de Martin
According to Alfredsson, his NHL career took off after the arrival of Jacques Martin at the helm of the Senators during the 1995-96 season.
“Jacques was an organized and calm coach, mentioned the one who amassed 1,157 points in 1,246 career games. For him, effort and development were more important than wins and losses.
“He built the foundations of our team for several seasons. Everyone was doing their job and it wasn’t just one or two players. Everyone contributed. »
The Senators made the playoffs six times in Martin’s eight seasons as head coach.
Sweden in the spotlight
It’s a special year in the Hall of Fame as three players from the same country will make their debut among the greats of history. A first in history.
AFP photo
Daniel Alfredsson received his Hockey Hall of Fame jacket from the great Lanny McDonald.
Alfredsson and twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin are all from Sweden. They will join Bjorje Salming (1996), Mats Sundin (2012), Peter Forsberg (2014) and Nicklas Lidstrom (2015).
“I’m very proud of that,” Alfredsson said. The foundation of my hockey career was built in Sweden. I consider myself lucky to have had so many good coaches in my development.
“My father led me for six or seven years. I was not always happy with this situation, but it was always very good for me.
“There were also other coaches who prepared me well for a professional career. »