OTTAWA — It feels like just yesterday when Claude Giroux was the sole experienced voice in the Senators` locker room.
During the Ottawa Senators` rebuilding phase, losses were frequent. Giroux often found himself explaining to reporters what went wrong and what needed improvement. His weary expression mirrored the frustration of losing for a fierce competitor like him.
A single veteran can only do so much to guide a young team through its growing pains.
But now, Giroux no longer questions when the young players will step up. They are already doing it.
As for being the veteran spokesperson, Giroux now shares that role with newcomers such as David Perron, Nick Cousins, Michael Amadio, and Linus Ullmark, among others.
Always approachable, Giroux now sports a bright smile in the dressing room. Observers often note how much happier Giroux seems in his third season with Ottawa.
“What’s with that?” jokes winger Drake Batherson about Giroux`s grin. “Did he get a new set of golf clubs or something?”
Maybe. Giroux is indeed an avid golfer. However, a more likely reason is that Giroux is content both at home and at work. He and his wife Ryanne are parents to three young sons: Gavin, 5, Palmer, 3, and Charlie, six months old. Watching Gavin and Palmer running around the rink brings back memories of when the young Alfredsson boys were buzzing around the Senators` dressing room.
For the first time since signing with Ottawa as a free agent in July 2022, Giroux is heading to the playoffs with his hometown team. (Born in Hearst, Ontario, Giroux moved to the Ottawa area with his family during his bantam years).
“Obviously, winning makes everything more enjoyable,” Giroux says. “When you win, many issues resolve themselves.”
Giroux is particularly impressed with the team`s defensive commitment under new head coach Travis Green. While scoring was never an issue for the young Senators, led by talents like Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson, and Thomas Chabot, this season they`ve improved their defense, reducing goals allowed to 2.8 from 3.4 last year, ranking fourth best in the Atlantic Division.
Giroux, 37, joined the Senators precisely to contend for championships. He is now back in the playoffs, a familiar place after eight playoff seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, including half as captain, and one season with Florida.
“I knew joining a young team meant there would be a lot to learn as a group,” he says at the Canadian Tire Centre. “We have matured as a team. We’ve adopted a winning style of play. I’m proud of our team and our progress.”
