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EDMONTON - The ‘A’ that used to be on Senators’ jersey No. 12 is now being sewn on No. 22.
With the trading of Mike Fisher, an alternate captain’s ‘A’ has been given to six-year veteran Chris Kelly. Another will stay with Jason Spezza, who was handed a letter when captain Daniel Alfredsson went down with a back injury.
Chris Phillips will continue to wear the other ‘A.’
“It’s always nice to be recognized with a letter,” said Kelly, who, with 12 goals and 11 assists, is the only Senators vet on pace for a career year.
“Under the circumstances, that’s not the way you want to get a letter, but obviously, changes are going to happen. Especially the way this year has gone. For the time being, I’ll gladly wear that letter.”
Expect the time being to last until the end of the season and beyond, if Kelly doesn’t get dealt, too.
“We need more guys to step up in the leadership group,” said coach Cory Clouston. “Wearing or not wearing a letter, doesn’t mean responsibility falls less or more on your shoulders. Everybody has to take more responsibility for their role, for moving this team in the right direction.”
Spezza has worn letters all his life.
“It’s more of a leadership role for me,” he said of the ‘A’. “I know I have to take it upon myself to be more of a leader here. I think I’ve made a lot of steps in that direction. I just have to take a lot more responsibility towards making the team better. I want to be able to help things out, and get us out of this. And when we do start playing better hockey, it’ll make everything that much sweeter.”
