Incoming Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer speaks at Sens Charity Golf Tournament
It was a star-studded event at the Ottawa Senators Charity Golf Tournament Tuesday, but among all the NHL stars in attendance, all eyes were on incoming Senators owner Michael Andlauer.
Andlauer made his first appearance and spoke publicly for the first time since being named the team's prospective new owner.
"This is an important day," said Andlauer. "I didn't want to wait a whole year to be here amongst you."
The soon-to-be owner says the takeover process has still not been fully completed, but he expects it to be soon.
"It's very important to me, so I didn't want to wait a year just because I'm not officially the owner of this team. Hopefully by the end of the week it will happen," he said.
In the meantime, Andlauer says he did not want to miss out on supporting the Senators Community Foundation and addressing the media and the fans before preseason officially begins.
"This kicks off our season for players, our staff; the training camp starts tomorrow, so this is an exciting time for all of us here in Ottawa, and I didn't want to miss that."
The excitement and anticipation of a new NHL season is apparent from Andlauer. It's a feeling that has already spread to the players, who report for medical checks Wednesday and training camp later this week.
"The excitement that he has, it's kind of been contagious to everybody else," said Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, "how much he wants to win here in Ottawa and it's a great feeling that from top to bottom. Everybody is on the same page with the goals and expectations."
"I think he has been really, really supportive so far," added forward Tim Stützle. "It's great to see somebody helping the team out as much as he did."
Preseason games for Ottawa begin this weekend, with the Senators facing the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.
Ottawa drops the puck on the regular season Oct. 11 in Carolina. Fans have their chance to see the Senators at home for the first time this coming season when they take on Philadelphia Oct. 14.
Expectations on the ice this season are high, with the team hoping not to return to the golf course anytime soon.
"I don't think I've ever been more excited for a season before," remarked Tkachuk.
"Now it's just time to win some more games," said Stützle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

4 in custody after 'brutal' death of Quebec entrepreneur, partner in Dominica
Four people are in police custody after Quebec businessman Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand were found dead in Dominica.
Canada's grocery retail sector one of the most competitive on Earth: Sobeys CEO
The top executive at Sobeys asserted on Monday that Canada has one of the most competitive grocery retail sectors on the planet -- even as Canadians continue to feel the bite of higher prices.
Speaker Fergus apologizes, faces calls to resign over 'personal' video played at Ontario Liberal event
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus apologized to MPs on Monday about a 'personal' video tribute message played this weekend at the Ontario Liberal Party leadership convention, but two opposition parties say that's not enough and are now calling for him to resign over his 'unacceptable' participation in a partisan event.
opinion As Trump burns through cash, powerful Republicans are rallying behind a surging candidate
With less than 50 days until Republican voters begin the process of determining their nominee to take on President Joe Biden, political analyst Eric Ham writes about a storm brewing within the GOP -- as super-donors align behind a surging candidate who could pose a threat to frontrunner Donald Trump.
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo during a one-night stay last week has been recaptured after more than three days on the loose.
CBC says it is cutting 600 jobs, some programming as it slashes budget
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and Radio-Canada will eliminate about 600 jobs and not fill an additional 200 vacancies. The cuts at CBC come days after the Liberal government suggested it may cap the amount of money CBC and Radio-Canada could get under a $100 million deal Ottawa recently signed with Google.
Canada issues updated travel advisory for Guyana due to border dispute referendum in Venezuela
The Canadian government is warning against travelling in Guyana near the border with Venezuela due to a weekend referendum that saw Venezuelans asked about the future of an of oil-rich region that is the centre of a territorial boundary dispute.
Driver arrested after nearly hitting pro-Palestinian demonstrator in Victoria
A driver was arrested in Victoria on Sunday after nearly hitting a protester with a car during a pro-Palestinian rally outside the B.C. legislature.
Short-term rentals have 'significantly impacted' housing affordability: Desjardins
A Desjardins report suggests short-term rentals likely contributed to the housing affordability crisis in Canada and around the world.