MONTREAL — The Ottawa Senators will have a new sponsor on their headgear when they’re on the road.
The club announced Tuesday that Kinaxis, an Ottawa-based software firm, has signed a three-year deal that will see the Senators wear their logo on helmets when they play road games. Bet99 will continue as the sponsor at home.
“This dynamic agreement with Kinaxis is important on multiple levels as we embark on an exciting new season,” said Anthony LeBlanc, the club’s president of business operations. “This represents an exciting new partnership with a local success story that operates on the global stage.
“We share common philosophies towards partnering for success, investing in our community and positive employee engagement, and look forward to working with Kinaxis for many years.”
Kinaxis felt like the Senators were a good fit for the company brand and this is believed to a seven-figure deal.
“It’s a privilege to partner with such an amazing team,” said John Sicard, CEO of Kinaxis. “Like the Senators, Kinaxis has a long history with Ottawa and we are honoured to support the community where many of our employees live and work.
“Being deeply integrated in the region, Kinaxis is committed to engaging with, and giving back through, partnerships that generate community pride.”
The club is one of many in the NHL still trying to find a sponsor for its jersey, which the league has allowed this season. The space hasn’t gone as well as the league anticipated and approximately only a third of the teams have been able to find a sponsor for the jersey.
The Habs wear the RBC logo at home but not on the road while the Toronto Maple Leafs reached an agreement with Ontario milk producers.
HONOURING ALFIE
Former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will be joined by some close friends during the Hockey Hall of Fame weekend next month in Toronto.
The day before he’s inducted into the Hall, the 49-year-old Alfredsson will suit up for Team (Mats)Sundin in the Hyundai Hall of Fame Legends Classic at Scotiabank Arena.
Among the participants will be Alfredsson’s former Senators teammates, defenceman Chris Phillips and winger Chris Neil. Former Sabres winger Rob Ray, who had two stints with Ottawa, will suit up for Team (Eric) Lindros.
Before the game, Alfredsson will receive his Hockey Hall of Fame blazer in a pre-game ceremony at centre ice.
Inductees Daniel and Henrik Sedin will also be teammates with Alfredsson.
LOOKING AT THE NET
The Senators will take three goaltenders out East, but we’ll have to see what happens.
Anton Forsberg and newly acquired Magnus Hellberg will make the trip to Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick for the two Kraft Hockeyville games.
The club will then have to decide whether to bring Kevin Mandolese, Mads Sogaard or AntoineBibeau. The Senators were supposed to dress Bibeau as the backup in Montreal on Tuesday night, but he was sick. As a result, Mandolese was recalled to be the emergency goalie.
Sogaard dressed as the backup against the Habs.
The decision on the third goalie is in the hands of general manager Pierre Dorion, assistant GMs TrentMann and Ryan Bowness, along with the rest of the staff. It makes sense for the 21-year-old Sogaard to play so he may be sent to Belleville.
“We certainly have a lot of confidence in Sogaard,” said coach D.J. Smith. “But there’s still a lot of development process for him. That’s something that Pierre and the management team are going to have to look at. They’ll do what’s best for his development.”
A SOLID COMBINATION
There’s been a lot of focus on the club’s top two lines, but centre Shane Pinto has looked good with Mathieu Joseph and Tyler Motte throughout the exhibition schedule.
Pinto missed almost all of last season with a shoulder injury and has been one of the club’s most consistent players. He has to carry that into the regular season, but there’s no reason to believe that won’t be the case.
The linemates complement each other.
“A lot of credit has to go to (Pinto) and just how well he’s played,” Smith said. “But also a guy like Motte that plays the right way and Joseph has all that speed.
“Its comforting and they’re the line that’s had the most success at five-on-five because they’re playing the right way and they’ve had the most chances.”
THE LAST WORDS
According to the good people at SportsBetting.ag, the over/under on winger Alex DeBrincat’s goals with the Senators this season is 36.5. A two-time 40-goal scorer with the Hawks, he’s starting to find chemistry with linemates Tim Stutzle and Claude Giroux … The Senators opted not to dress rugged winger Austin Watson for this one against the Habs. Forward Scott Sabourin dressed and was on the fourth line … The heroes of the 1972 Summit Series were in the house for this one and were honoured before the puck was dropped. Yvan Cournoyer, Marcel Dionne, Paul Henderson, Guy Lapointe, Peter Mahovlich and Serge Savard took part in the pre-game ceremony … The club sent forward Viktor Lodin and defenceman Zachary Massicotte, who both suffered concussions during the rookie tournament in Buffalo last month, to their AHL affiliate in Belleville on Tuesday. They were both on the ice in Ottawa in the morning and skated in non-contact jerseys.
Twitter: @sungarrioch
Post a Comment