The Ottawa Senators traded their hockey sticks for golf clubs Monday, hitting the greens at The Marshes Gol Club for the annual Ottawa Senators Charity Open. The event brought players, coaches, and management together with fans and sponsors to raise money for local causes while reconnecting ahead of the new season. Forward Tim Stützle says the day is about more than just golf. “Summer basically ended when I came back. We’ve been obviously playing golf, but we’ve been working really hard as a group, and it’s been a lot of fun,” Stützle said. “I think now, with the golf tournament, where everybody’s here, that’s kind of the kick-off.” With training camp just over a week away, expectations around the team are clear. Defenceman Thomas Chabot stresses the team is ready to take that next step. “Last season was great. Obviously, it sucks to lose in the first round, but it kind of leaves you going into the summer with that hunger of getting back to the playoffs,” Chabot said. It was a relatively quiet offseason for the team, with the most notable move centred around acquiring defenceman Jordan Spence. General manager Steve Staios says the experience the team gained last season is a bright spot heading into the new season. “it’s a process, we know how hard it is just to get into the playoffs and being able to focus on having the confidence to know that we can play a certain style that’ll lend itself to becoming a playoff team again, and then the confidence of those experienced with the help.” Staios says. Off the ice the, spotlight continues to shine on the future LeBreton Flats arena project. Team owner Michael Andlauer says he’s eager about what it means for fans. Both Stützle and Chabot say they are feeling healthy and ready for a new season. “I believe in this group, I believe in this core, and the next step is in our room,” Stützle says. “I think Steve has done a phenomenal job too, kind of support our group and we just got to take the next step.” The Sens open training camp on September 17. The home opener is scheduled for October 13 against the Nashville Predators at Canadian Tire Centre.
