Bruce Garrioch - Ottawa Sun

The times are a chagin' in Ottawa. 

GM Mularkey has returned from his season long leave of absence and word has it that he is chomping at the bit to get this season going.  "What a surreal last 20 months it has been for everyone.  I felt I simply needed to step-back and regroup, which the league graciously accepted.......then Covid 19 hit.  Talk about steppping back and regrouping, careful what you wish for eh?  Now enough about me."

Indeed, out is long tenured head coach Ken Hitchcock.  "Hitch is, and always will be part of the Sen's family.  He was well respected, in our dressing room and throughout the CMHL.  Ken had told me that he wanted to spend more time with his family and when we found out that Gerard Gallant was available, well, I talked to Ken, then got on the horn with Gerry.", Mularkey said.

While the Senators realize that a coach does not win games, they are leaning, heavily on Gallant to provide a different style of play to the club this season.  It is this reporter's opinion that Ottawa played a passive game in last years.  I caught up with Coach Gallant and he said, "No disrespect to Kenny, but I think that the Sen's have some unleashed offensive talent, throughout the organization, we plan on letting them play.  We need to score more, quite simply.  I'm hoping to see more jump from this club."

The other big news, is that Alex Burrows has accepted the head coaching duties with the Courtenay Crusaders, in the ICHF.  Given his time with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, he is more than happy to bring his family to Vancouver Island. 

As usual, GM Mularkey is upbeat with what his team brings into this season.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

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