The NFL opens its regular season on Thursday. Meanwhile, Wednesday marked the unofficial kick-off to the Ottawa Senators’ 2025-26 campaign. The Senators invited local media and social influencers to the Canadian Tire Centre for a midday update on what fans are to expect this upcoming season.
The event wouldn’t have been complete without the appearance of Senators’ captain Brady Tkachuk and newcomer Jordan Spence. Acquired from the LA Kings during NHL Entry Draft weekend, Spence met media en masse for the first time.
Tkachuk delivers good news on health front
Tkachuk arrived in Ottawa on Sunday. He drove to Canada’s capital city from his New Jersey residence. On Wednesday, the Senators’ centerpiece player stated he has a clean bill of health.
“I feel great. Yeah, it was probably a little bit longer than I expected, but taking a cautious approach to playing – two months, needed that time, but I think it’s the best I’ve ever felt coming into the season,” Tkachuk said.
Tkachuk will enter his eighth campaign with the Senators. Coming off the throes off his first postseason experience in Ottawa, the feisty forward realizes there’s a target on the club. However, he won’t settle for just being a playoff participant this time around.
“I mean, of course, everybody externally is going to have, you know, expectation on us. I mean, internally, I think I’ve said it after the season, of course, it’s going to be as hard to get into the playoffs like last year. And I think that experience is going to help us tremendously, right from Day One that we have a group that’s able to do it,” Tkachuk said.
He added, “For us, it’s about that Stanley Cup mindset right from Day One. And that’s something that I’ve seen up close and that’s something that I know we’re not going to stop until it gets done. And I think, yeah, I mean, playoffs is, you know, a great goal to have, but I think there’s bigger goals that set for ourselves.”
Tkachuk: Senators need to take the next step
The Senators took an important step in 2024-25. The club posted 97 points. Subsequently, they threw a scare into the Toronto Maple Leafs before bowing out in six Eastern Conference quarterfinal games.
Tkachuk recognizes the progress. However, on Wednesday, he said what matters now is for Ottawa to continue its progress from last season.
“Playoffs is great, but it’s not about just getting playoffs anymore. So I think we want more, and it’s just going to be a matter of doing it right away and get prepared for camp. And you’re prepared for the season...I think, use our experience from playoffs that. I mean, I know the how the (playoff) series went. You know, we fought back. But I think it’s just having that mindset that every game is a new opportunity to play our game and dictate the game. And I just think that’s going to make us that much better,” the captain said.
“Steve (GM Steve Staios) believes in our group, so I think that’s in agreement to everybody in our room, that we believe in each other, we believe in what we’re doing. Another big thing that touched already was internal growth and make it feel that our team and everybody took that to new levels of their game.
“For me, I think it’s, of course, all you guys know how I play. It’s great, demanding, but just having the endurance to do it, day in, day out, shift in, shift out. I worked a lot of high conditioning in the summer, and it’s probably the best I’ve felt, and different types of stuff like that. So just continue to work on that.”
Spence family happy he joined the Senators
For defenseman Spence, the new Ottawa player wasn’t only one member of his family excited for his opportunity to play for a Canadian-based team. Spence’s parents reside in Prince Edward Island. They often stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to watch their son play in the Pacific Time Zone.
“You know, I think they’re really happy just with the time change. You know, our home games in LA is at 730 so it’s 1130 in PEI. So they’re really excited about that. And, you know, obviously I’m closer to home as well. So a lot of friends and family are excited,” Spence said.
A bonus for the dual citizen of Canada/Japan by way of Australia: Spence shares personal familiarity with the several of his new Senators’ teammates. He has spent summers training with an ultra-talented group in Halifax, including new teammate Drake Batherson and veteran NHL stars such as Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Brad Marchand.
Spence has Senators connections beyond Batherson. Hockey is a small world. He’s friends with various Ottawa players.
Spence told Hockey Hot Stove, “I played U-18 teams and World Juniors with Dylan Cozens, and Ridly Greig was there as well, trying out. And then, you know, Shane Pinto always comes to Halifax. So there’s some guys that I kind of knew before, so it’s good to kind of see them again, and be on the same team.”
Fresh start for Spence
Senators D-man Nick Jensen underwent offseason hip surgery. While convalescing, his return timetable to the ice is unknown. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Spence relishes his fresh start in Ottawa. He’s eager to make a strong first impression.
“It’s great. Personally for me, I just want to do my job and play my game and I’m going to do the best I can to try and do that and contribute and help the team win. So, you know, if there’s an opportunity that I get more playing time or more opportunities to play anywhere, I’m going to do the best I can,” Spence said.
I mean, obviously, (the need to excel is) always in the back of your head. Just try to try to be better as a player and to gain the coach’s trust to play more ice time. But at the end of the day, it’s the effort and individual work that we put in. And, you know, I’m really excited to come into camp and do the best I can.”
30-year CTC anniversary celebration
Senators President Cyril Leeder highlighted the addition of 13 sponsors, replacement of lower bowl seats, and an ice level bar. He previewed what will be an exciting 30th Anniversary celebration of the opening of the CTC (originally known as the Palladium).
A Bryan Adams concert christened the building January 15, 1996. Thirty years later, on January 16, 2026, the building will host a “major concert” attraction. Details will be announced soon, according to Leeder.
The concert will be the lid-lifter for a special weekend. On the 17th, the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. They will revisit their first-ever game played in Kanata on the actual 30th Anniversary. The following day, the Senators’ AHL American affiliate, Belleville, faces the Utica Devils.
Senators Vice President of Business Operations Chris Phillips modelled the team’s alternate sweater. The club will don their newest look on 13 occasions throughout the season, with its debut October 16.
The sweater includes a few Ottawa based easter eggs hidden within it.
For those wondering where your 50/50 donations ended up? Senators Community Foundation president Jacqueline Belsito cheerfully announced the Foundation raised $2.3 million last season towards bettering the lives of children in the Ottawa-Gatineau region via various charities and organizations.
Senators ticket demand jumped
Vice-President, Ticket Sales and Service Brendan Duvall noted 100-level suites are sold out for the season. Meanwhile, season ticket sales reached a double digit increase.
Senior Director, Marketing Kati Parrott presented first half season game promotions. Lucky fans will receive an exclusive slapshot bobblehead January 10. Unfortunately for fans steeped in the rivalry with Toronto, the game is versus the Florida Panthers and not the Maple Leafs. They’ll have to settle for a clash with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.
Closing thoughts: A personal note
A final note; this is my debut article for Hockey HotStove, and I’m looking foward to this new adventure. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Full Press Hockey where I made my home the past four seasons. Ian Glendon reached out to me when Sporting News Canada revised their online model. The past two seasons I’ve worked in conjunction with Full Press editor/podcast host Jim Biringer.
Jim has been the beacon of the site. His dedication to the sport and his work are unmatched There are bright things ahead for Jim and I look forward to viewing them.
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