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

WATCH Kangaroo spotted on the loose east of Toronto
Commuters east of Toronto were met with a surprise Friday morning when a kangaroo was spotted hopping alongside the roadway. Anyone who spots the marsupial is being asked to report the sighting to a community-run pet organization in Oshawa, Ont.
U.S. House expels New York Rep. George Santos. It's just the sixth expulsion in the chamber's history
The U.S. House voted Friday to expel GOP Rep. George Santos, a historic vote that will make the New York congressman the sixth lawmaker ever to be expelled from the chamber.
Here's what parents and youth can do to prevent or deal with sextortion
With sextortion being a growing problem in Canada, there are tips and resources online to help parents, caregivers and youth address it.
Environment Canada calls for mild, rainy winter for most of Canada
Winter will be unusually warm and rainy across much of the country this year, according to the latest data from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Suspect charged with 4 counts of second-degree murder in Winnipeg mass shooting
A suspect has been charged with four counts of second-degree murder in connection with the Langside homicide.
Alleged Montreal-area 'Chinese police stations' planning to sue RCMP for $2.5 million
Two Chinese community centres in the Montreal area are planning to launch a $2.5 million defamation lawsuit against the RCMP and the Attorney General of Canada after being accused by the police force of hosting 'alleged Chinese police stations.'
More salmonella-contaminated fruits pulled amid outbreak: Here's what was recalled in Canada this week
Here's a list of recalled items that got taken off the shelves this week
Former Sask. hockey coach found guilty of sexual assault and assault
Former Saskatchewan junior hockey coach Bernard (Bernie) Lynch was found guilty by a Regina Court of King’s Bench judge on Friday of sexual assault and assault stemming from incidents that took place in August of 1988.
Illinois appeals court affirms actor Jussie Smollett's convictions and jail sentence
An appeals court upheld the disorderly conduct convictions Friday of actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying about it to Chicago police.