Daniel Alfredsson is coming back to the Ottawa Senators.
The former team captain, who left the team via unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2013, was hired by the Sens as their senior advisor of hockey operations.
The move had been in the works for a while, but was formalized Thursday.
“I want to thank (owner) Eugene (Melnyk) and (general manager) Bryan (Murray) for giving me this tremendous opportunity,” Alfredsson said in a statement. “Retiring from the game but having this chance to remain part of the hockey world, especially in Ottawa, is very special. The Senators have an outstanding hockey operations department and coaching staff. They have built a fast, highly skilled team along with a solid roster of young prospects. I believe my experience as a player can help provide a boost to this group and allow us to keep the momentum from last year’s exciting season.”
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Added Melnyk:
“I am excited for our fans and our team that Daniel has agreed to begin the second part of his storied hockey career right where he belongs – with the Senators. Daniel has been an exceptional part of our team’s history. He was a tremendous leader on the ice and equally in our community. I very much want him to continue to be part of our hockey club and our city. Bringing the Stanley Cup to Ottawa has always been my focus, now more than ever. I believe Daniel’s experience and track record as one of the elite players in our league will bring us closer to that goal.”
Alfredsson, 42, played 1,178 games with the Senators and is the team’s all-time leader in goals with 426 and points with 1,108.
Unable to come to a contract with the team in the summer of 2013, Alfredsson signed with the Detroit Red Wings for one season.
The split with the Senators was contentious and at that point it seemed unlikely Alfredsson would return to Ottawa at least for several years.
But as time went on, the wounds of the relationship healed.
Alfredsson’s bothersome back never improved and he retired early last season. He signed a one-day deal with the Senators and took one final victory lap with the team at a retirement ceremony.
According to the release by the Senators he will “support hockey operations duties at the National Hockey League level, from scouting to player development.”
Alfredsson joins Martin Brodeur (St. Louis Blues) and Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) amongst the growing ranks of legends from that era who have transitioned into management.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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