Ottawa Senators to retire Daniel Alfredsson’s No. 11

He will be the first Ottawa Senator to have his number officially retired. And for so many reasons, it is an all too fitting tribute to the career he had as the heart, soul and captain of the team for so many years.

The Ottawa Senators will retire longtime captain Daniel Alfredsson’s No. 11 jersey, the team announced during a press conference on Tuesday.

The ceremony will take place on Dec. 29, 2016, prior to a home game against the Detroit Red Wings.

“Daniel is an iconic figure in the history of our franchise. We are very excited to announce that the Senators Player Honouring Committee has unanimously decided that as we embark on the Ottawa Senators 25th season in the NHL, this would be the perfect time to have Daniel’s number 11 raised to the rafters of Canadian Tire Centre,” said Senators owner and chief executive officer Eugene Melnyk. “Daniel has consistently demonstrated class and excellence throughout his NHL career so it is only fitting his jersey number be retired to hang alongside the No. 8 of legendary Frank Finnigan.”

Finnigan’s banner was raised in 1992 in conjunction with the team’s inaugural home opener.

Alfredsson spent 17 seasons with the club and held the captaincy for 13 years. He registered 444 goals and 713 assists in 1,246 career NHL regular season games, including 18 goals and 31 assists in 68 games with the Red Wings in 2013-14—his final NHL campaign.

He announced his retirement from pro hockey in December 2014, and was appointed as senior advisor of hockey operations with the Senators in September 2015.

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