Record crowds at Ottawa Senators Fan Fest this year
The 2023 edition of Sens Fan Fest broke records Saturday. With sunny warm weather all day, thousands took to the Canadian Tire Centre to celebrate all things Sens.
The team had a busy lineup for fans the event featured a Senators' team practice, autograph session, interactive games, a Sens Store sale, and a kids' press conference. With new owner Michael Andlauer officially in charge now, expectations are high and fans are excited for the new season.
The Senators newly appointed CEO Cyril Leeder said the event is a thank you to fans and a chance for the team and community to connect.
"You can see it today; fans are excited about the team this year and it's a good opportunity for them to get up close and do things they would not ordinarily be able to do with the players," Leeder said. "I'm hopeful the biggest change fans will see is the team on the ice."
Genevieve Renaud brought her nephews Saturday and was feeling the love. Though some lineups were long, they say the experience was worth it.
"I think events like this are really important for the team to show their appreciation and for the fans and for the kids to get excited for the upcoming season. It's also really great to get the community together," Renaud said. "Everyone has been great."
With four more preseason games to go and Ottawa currently in third place in the east, many fans attending Saturday say this year they are looking forward to watching some playoff hockey.
The regular season starts Wednesday, Oct. 11 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

This Canadian couple used surrogacy to have a child. Here's what they want you to know
Families that need help conceiving a child are met with financial burdens that should be covered through government health care and insurance, advocates say.
Renowned Canadian musician and former April Wine singer Myles Goodwyn dead at 75
Myles Goodwyn, the award-winning Canadian singer and songwriter who shot to stardom as the former lead singer of April Wine, has died at age 75.
Renowned Quebec entrepreneur, partner reported dead in Caribbean
Quebec entrepreneur Daniel Langlois and his spouse Dominique Marchand have died in their adopted home of Dominica, in the Caribbean, a source has confirmed.
Another inmate dead at notoriously harsh Newfoundland jail, officials confirm
An inmate has died at Her Majesty's Penitentiary in Newfoundland, one of the oldest operating provincial jails in the country, officials with the provincial Justice Department confirmed.
Ships face Houthi-claimed attack in Red Sea as officials say a U.S. warship also fires in self-defence
Commercial ships came under attack Sunday by drones and missiles in the Red Sea and a U.S. warship there opened fire in self-defence as part of an hourslong assault claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels, officials said.
Fatal stabbing of German tourist by suspected radical puts sharp focus on Paris Olympics
A bloodstain by a bridge over the Seine river was the only remaining sign on Sunday of a fatal knife attack 12 hours earlier on a German tourist, allegedly carried out by a young man under watch for suspected Islamic radicalization.
Venezuelans vote in referendum over large swath of territory under dispute with Guyana
Venezuelans are voting in a referendum Sunday called by the government of President Nicolas Maduro to claim sovereignty over a large swath of neighbouring Guyana, arguing the oil- and mineral-rich territory was stolen when the border was drawn more than a century ago.
Israel says military offensive in crowded southern Gaza will be 'no less strength' than in the north
The Israeli military said Sunday its ground offensive had expanded to every part of Gaza, and it ordered more evacuations in the crowded south while vowing that operations there against Hamas would be 'no less strength' than its shattering ones in the north.
Kyiv investigates allegations Russian forces shot surrendering Ukrainian soldiers
Ukrainian officials on Sunday launched an investigation into allegations that Russian forces killed surrendering Ukrainian soldiers -- a war crime if confirmed -- after grainy footage on social media appeared to show two uniformed men being shot at close range after emerging from a dugout.