On December 11th, 2009, I posted a list of my 11 favorite Daniel Alfredsson moments in his career in homage to the captain’s 37th birthday. From his Eastern Conference Final game winning goal against Buffalo, to the Scandanavian pillaging of Doug Gilmour’s soul, the list had it all…
…Or so I thought.
Recently I was emailed by a former guest on The 6th Sens Podcast, Mr. Glen Gower who informed me that the Ottawa Senators were planning something special in celebration of Daniel Alfredsson’s 1000th NHL Game. Which barring injury, I believe will take place on April 10th versus the Buffalo Sabres. Now as part of the planning, the Senators organization is trying to determine the greatest Alfredsson moments and needs your input.
Over at Sens Central, the organization has posted this bulletin:
Hi folks. As you probably know, Daniel Alfedsson is scheduled to play his 1000th career game later this season. He’ll join an elite group of fewer than 50 NHL players who have played 1,000 with the same franchise. We’re working on a number of projects to celebrate Alfie’s career on April 10th — our last game of the season and first home game after he reaches #1000.
One project we’re working on is compiling a list of the greatest moments in Alfie’s career. Here’s a list we’ve started, compiled from stat books, web sites (particularly this list at SilverSevenSens.com), message boards, etc. There are over 20 dates list here — but I’m sure some of you have other memorable games / goals / moments. If you have any to add to this list, please reply to this message.
Thanks for your help!
Daniel Alfredsson – Top Career Moments
1. June 29, 1994. NHL Entry Draft, Hartford Civic Center
Drafted 133rd overall by the Ottawa Senators (6th round)
2. October 5, 1995 vs. Buffalo. First career game & point.
In his first game in the NHL, Daniel Alfredsson earns an assist.
3. October 13, 1995 vs. Florida. First career goal.
Scores his first career goal against Mark Fitzpatrick of the Florida Panthers. It was his second career game.
4. January 20, 1996. First NHL All-Star game.
Daniel Alfredsson appears in his first All-Star game. He’s the only rookie invited to the game.
5. June 1996. Calder Trophy
Daniel Alfredsson wins the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. He led all rookies in points and assists, and finished second in goals. He was the only rookie to lead his team in scoring. That season he led the Sens in goals, assists and game-winning goals.
6. April 17, 1997 vs. Buffalo. First playoff goal in modern franchise history.
In the first playoff game in modern franchise history, Daniel Alfredsson scores the Sens first (and only) goal.
7. April 28, 1998 vs. New Jersey. First playoff hat trick.
Game 4 in the series, and Daniel Alfredsson scores a hat trick. It’s his first career playoff hat trick, and also the first for the Senators in the modern era. The Sens would go on to win the series 4-2. (He also scored a hat trick in the next round vs. Washington.)
8. October 2, 1999. Appointed Captain of the Senators.
Head Coach Jacques Martin makes Alfredsson the Captain of the Senators, taking over from Alexei Yashin. Alfredsson is currently the longest-serving captain in the NHL. His first game as Captain was a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
9. November 13, 2001 vs. Washington. Team goal scoring record.
The Senators set a franchise record by scoring 11 goals against the Washington Capitals. Alfredsson scores four points – including a hat trick and the game-winning goal.
10. May 10, 2002 vs. Toronto. The Tucker hit.
In the playoffs, the score is tied 2-2. Alfredsson checks Darcy Tucker into the boards, then skates in to score the game-winning goal.
11. January 8, 2004 vs. Toronto. The broken stick.
Alfredsson pokes fun a Matt Sundin by pretending to throw a broken stick. Ottawa went on to win the game 7-1.
12. October 5, 2005 vs. Toronto. NHL’s first shoot-out goal
The Senators open the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alfredsson scores two goals in regulation, but the game goes to overtime, and then to a shoot-out – the first ever in the post-lock-out NHL. Alfredsson takes the first shot and scores what would turn out to be the shoot-out winner.
13. November 2, 2005 vs. Buffalo. First career four-goal game.
Records his first career four-goal game (and fifth career hat trick), plus adds 2 assists in a victory over the Sabres.
14. February ?, 2006. Wins Gold at the Winter Olympics.
As altnerate captain with Team Sweden, Daniel Alfredsson wins a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. It was his third time at the Olympics. (He would also play with Sweden at the 2010 games.)
15. January 9-16, 2007. Scores GWG’s in 4 consecutive games.
Alfredsson scores the game winning goal in four consecutive games between January 9 & 16. He becomes just the second NHLer to reach the feat since Montreal’s Newsy Lalonde scored five straight in 1921.
16. June 2, 2007 vs. Anaheim. Scores in the Stanley Cup Final.
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, in Ottawa. Alfredsson scores and the Senators go on to record their first victory in the series.
17. May 19, 2007 vs. Buffalo. Overtime goal to win the Eastern Conference Finals.
Daniel Alfredsson scores in overtime, winning the Eastern Conference Finals and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.
18. January 24, 2008 vs. Tampa Bay. Franchise record 7 points.
Daniel Alfredsson scores three goals (even strength, power play, short-handed) and four assists to set a franchise record for most points in a single game.
19. April 14, 2008 vs. Pittsburgh. 100th playoff game
Daniel Alfredsson plays in his 100th career playoff game. Alfredsson has played in 101 of the 103 playoff games that the Senators have appeared in.
20. October 4 & 5, 2008 vs. Pittsburgh. Return to Sweden
The Senators and Penguins open the 2008-2009 season in Stockholm, Sweden. Alfredsson receives a hero’s welcome.
21. February 21, 2009 vs. Montreal. Early return from injury.
After breaking his jaw on February 17 vs. Colorado, Alfredsson makes a surprise return to the line-up wearing a full face shield.
22. January 18, 2010 vs. Boston. Natural hat trick.
Playing in just his second game after missing 11 games with a shoulder injury, Alfresson scores a natural hat trick in a 5-1 victory.
If you have something to add to the list below, please respond to Glen’s message over at Sens Central, leave a message in the comment thread below, or you can fire me an email and I’ll be sure to pass it along.
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