Wade Redden inducted into Ring of Honour

OTTAWA -- Wade Redden became the first player to be inducted into the Ottawa Senators' Ring of Honor on Monday at Canadian Tire Centre.

The defenseman is the second longtime member of the organization to be inducted, following coach and general manager Bryan Murray on Jan. 24, 2017.
Redden, now a development coach with the team, had 410 points (101 goals, 309 assists) in 838 games for the Senators from 1997 to 2008. He is fourth in franchise history in games played, and fifth in points.
"I really grew up here," Redden said ahead of the ceremony. "When I look back, [age] 19 to 31, those are pretty good years. I'm proud of my time here, too. On the ice, off the ice, I was really proud. I think I was professional in how I played, came to the rink ready to work."
Redden was a leader in the community, partnering with the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, sponsoring an arena suite for critically and terminally ill children, and joining up with 65 Roses, a gala in support of cystic fibrosis research.
"I mean, those are the things I've been thinking about lots," Redden said. "Really special. Special to have this happen."
During Redden's time in Ottawa, the Senators won eight playoff series and made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2006-07. He had 45 points (12 goals, 33 assists) in 94 playoff games.
"There were some shortcomings," Redden admitted, noting the 4-1 series loss to the Anaheim Ducks in the Cup final. "But the thing I take away from some of those down days is how we came back and got better because of it."
After the morning skate Monday, Ottawa coach D.J. Smith reminisced about the early days of his friendship with Redden. Both were drafted by the New York Islanders in 1995, Redden, second overall, Smith, 41st overall.
"He was my first roommate in the NHL at training camp," Smith said. "Because it was the lockout year, they only brought two of us to camp, two of us from the draft that year. We were both really young and not ready for what was coming. It was a real rough Mike Milbury camp. We were young guys, bright-eyed, just kind of like, 'Wow. Here we are.'
"He was a great player here for a long time. His steadiness, you look at it today, everyone's looking for that defenseman that can give you those minutes, do it right, play against anyone, good stick, the whole thing."
Smith expected the ceremony to be closely watched by his players.
"I'm sure tonight's going to be great for our guys to see it," Smith said, "but also, if you're one of those guys, and they would know who they are, you're going to ask yourself, 'Am I going to be there one day?' And if you're lucky enough to stay healthy and have success, there's going to be some guys in that room that are going to be up there."