"It adds some excitement for us," said Ottawa center Kyle Turris, who is making his preseason debut. "A sold-out morning skate was pretty neat."
Bringing the rituals of an NHL game day to PEI is something Senators coach Guy Boucher was excited to do. He knows the area well from his early coaching days in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, which has teams located in Charlottetown, PEI, Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick. He knows the passion the population here has for the game, which is the island's lifeblood in the winter.
But he also knows that the NHL is a different animal than the junior and senior league hockey that dominates the area.
"Hockey is always here, but I think the best hockey in the world is played by NHL players and for the fans and youngsters and older people to be able to feel it; because that is what it is, [a feeling]," Boucher said. "It's a great show on TV and I think it is part of our culture to follow the NHL. But, to actually feel it in front of you, to be that close, I think that is special. I love these outings where you can connect with the fans.
"Everyone started out at the same place. I was them years ago, and the players were them. There are some kids in the stands here that maybe one day they will be walking a red carpet and practicing in front of fans. It's a great give back process and it is a terrific opportunity to watch and feel our national sport."
And, for Phaneuf, it was even more special because of the kinship he feels with the people here, those that lined up at 7:30 a.m. to greet the Ottawa bus for the morning skate.
"I have lots of family and friends here, so I got to be good [tonight]," Phaneuf said, only half-joking, as he walked to the bus after the morning skate.