Former Ottawa Senators alternate captain Steve Duchesne enjoyed a heartfelt homecoming this past weekend, returning to the arena where he made franchise history. Duchesne participated in the ceremonial faceoff to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Tire Centre before the Senators faced off against the Montreal Canadiens.
A Historic First Goal
The 60-year-old defenceman was a fitting choice for the honour, as he scored the first Ottawa Senators goal ever at their current home arena. That historic moment came on January 19, 1996, during a 7-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Duchesne's marker was assisted by Alexei Yashin and Daniel Alfredsson.
"I'm really excited. They called me a few weeks before Christmas to do this, and of course, I was happy to do this," Duchesne told Postmedia from his home in Dallas. With a touch of humour, he added, "I didn't even know I scored the first goal. It must have been an unbelievable end-to-end goal." In truth, Duchesne admits he has no specific memory of that particular goal, but its place in team lore is secure.
The Playoff-Clinching Memory
While the first goal is a trivia answer, another goal is etched vividly in Duchesne's memory. On April 12, 1997, he broke a 0-0 tie with a point shot at 15:59 of the third period against the Buffalo Sabres and legendary goaltender Dominik Hasek. That goal secured the Senators' first-ever trip to the NHL playoffs.
"I remember it vividly, Yashin making the pass and right away, without even stopping, shooting the puck and scoring against Dominik Hasek," Duchesne recalled. The moment was made sweeter years later when the two became teammates and won a Stanley Cup together with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002. "I asked him, 'Do you remember how bad I beat you?' Dom told me he was really pissed off."
Duchesne described the playoff-clinching goal as a profound highlight before his Cup win. "That felt good to help get the team to the playoffs. The year was such a struggle because we were up and down. That's a fond memory. I remember how happy we were." That victory was only possible after Wade Redden scored a winner in Detroit the night before to keep Ottawa's postseason hopes alive.
Building a Foundation in Ottawa
Duchesne's tenure in Ottawa, spanning 140 games, was a significant chapter for both the player and the young franchise. He was acquired in a savvy move by then-president and general manager Randy Sexton before the 1995-96 season, traded from the St. Louis Blues for a second-round draft pick.
He joined a roster that was building the foundation of the modern Senators, playing under coach Jacques Martin and alongside captain Randy Cunneyworth, Radek Bonk, Alexandre Daigle, Shawn McEachern, Lance Pitlick, Jason York, and goaltender Ron Tugnutt. His impact as an offensive defenceman and leader helped steer the club through its formative years and into its first taste of playoff contention.
The weekend celebration allowed fans and the franchise to reconnect with a player who was part of pivotal "firsts" for the organization. Duchesne's stories underscore the early struggles and triumphs that helped shape the identity of the Ottawa Senators, making his role in the 30th-anniversary festivities a fitting tribute to the team's history.
