Former Senator’s Attorney Wade Ledden Was Surprised to Enter the Ring of Honor

walterpalladNovember 24, 2022

Wade Reden receives the Prince of Wales Trophy after a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabers during Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals on May 19, 2007 at the HSBC Center in Buffalo, NY. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

ANAHEIM — This news caught Wade Redden off guard.

While sitting in a Zoom meeting with the club’s player development staff from his home in Kelowna earlier this month, the former Ottawa senator’s defenseman said his longtime friend and teammate Chris Phillips burst into the room. I was surprised to see him come.

Phillips, on behalf of the Players Honor Committee, informed Reden, 45, that he will become the first player to join late general manager Brian Murray in the club’s Ring of Honor before December 12. Visiting Anaheim Ducks.

Redden appeared in 838 games in his NHL career with the Senators. After 11 seasons in Ottawa, he ranks fifth all-time with 101 goals and 410 points. Attending the conference, Phillips was caught off-guard.

Redden told the Postmedia Sens Panel from his home in Kelowna on Wednesday. “Now I have had time to think about what that really means. I am thinking.

“Really, it’s nice to be recognized like that.”

Having a close friend, Phillips, to communicate the decision meant a lot.

“We lived together and spent a lot of time together throughout our Ottawa career. Mulakar would always bring them to his suite, which made us closer as friends,” said Reden.

Reden retired from skating at the end of the 2012-13 season with the St. Louis Blues after playing 1,023 games in his career. While playing the game, it can be difficult to enjoy due to the ups and downs that come with it.

Now Redden looks back on that chapter of his life with fond memories.

“When you’re at it, it’s every day. It’s the next game, the next practice to get ready,” Reden said. Because I’ve always said that it can be the best day and the worst day.

“Looking back now, you remember all the good times and that’s what stands out the most to you. When you’re playing a game, you don’t have time to see the big picture. It’s been a year and a game.

Traded to the Senators in 1997 as part of a three-way deal with the New York Islanders, Redden began his NHL career here. He enjoyed great success after playing a major role in his side Ottawa in 1997, which reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

People may forget this, but if it weren’t for Reden’s winning goal against the Detroit Red Wings at the former Joe Louis Arena in the second and final game of the 1996-97 season, the club would have been There would have been no chance of winning. Make the postseason that spring.

Yes, former defenseman Steve Duchene scored a dramatic winning goal against the Buffalo Sabers at the Canadian Tire Center 24 hours later, which booked the club a trip to the NHL’s big dance, but Reden said in April Setting up a heroic that helped secure a 3–2 victory over Detroit on the 11th.

“When I got the chance to look back on my entire career, it was just one of the highlights,” said Redden. “Just the feeling when everyone is behind the team and the energy that surrounded that team all along.

“We just ran like crazy. We had to finish all those games in one go to beat every team we were fighting. I think we scored in two minutes and I think they won the cup that year and they weren’t as close as they were that night but they found a way to win and it’s not easy was.”

Of course, the Senators had their ups and downs, mixed with playoff heartbreak along the way. Most hurt was when he lost to the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of his 2003 East Finals. Because the table was set for Ottawa to win Stanley his Cup.

Jeff Friesen scored a winner for the Devils in the final minutes, ruining what the Senators had made a phenomenal comeback in the series from a 3-1 deficit. His OT winner for Phillips in Game 6 forced Game 7.

“We haven’t reached the summit yet. That’s what a great team has to do with the President’s Trophy,” said Redden.

Not only was Reden recognized for his achievements on the ice, but his achievements in the community also stood out. In 1997, he released “Wade’s World”, allowing children from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario to participate in the game.

“I have so many great memories and friendships from those days, and it’s something I’m really proud of,” said Redden.

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/sungarrioch