The Ottawa Senators and City of Ottawa Archives today announced their new partnership and officially unveiled an historical exhibit that will reside on the 200 level of Scotiabank Place, celebrating Ottawa’s hockey history. The partnership coincides with the Senators’ 20th anniversary, which is being celebrated during the 2011-12 hockey season.

PHOTO CREDIT - SensTown.com

Ottawa - Oct. 13, 2011 - The Ottawa Senators and City of Ottawa Archives today announced their new partnership and officially unveiled an historical exhibit that will reside on the 200 level of Scotiabank Place, celebrating Ottawa’s hockey history. The partnership coincides with the Senators’ 20th anniversary, which is being celebrated during the 2011-12 hockey season.

“Along with the many special events surrounding our 20th anniversary season, we felt this partnership with the City of Ottawa Archives was a perfect fit to highlight for our fans the rich hockey history from the region,” said Senators president Cyril Leeder. “Today, we are pleased to contribute items to this exhibit that our fans can enjoy on their visits to Scotiabank Place during this historical season to signify the start of our partnership with the City of Ottawa Archives and we will continue to acquire and contribute many more items in the future.”

The City of Ottawa Archives, as part of its mandate, acquires the records of persons, organizations or businesses that contribute to the understanding of the history of Ottawa and its residents, including its sports history. The Senators occasionally receive donations of items of a historical nature or heritage value from individuals or organizations. To ensure the preservation and diffusion of these donations, the Senators have entered into a partnership agreement with the City of Ottawa Archives to be the custodians of these items.

As part of this partnership, the Senators and the Archives agreed to jointly form a historical committee that will review the donations and advise on their pertinence and significance in regards to Ottawa’s hockey heritage. The group will recommend action for their retention, disposal or transfer to the City of Ottawa Archives for preservation where deemed appropriate.

"Sport is truly an opportunity and a means for a community to rally together, and I'm pleased the Ottawa Senators and the City of Ottawa are partnering to celebrate our storied hockey history and make these wonderful artifacts accessible for people to enjoy," said Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa.

The Senators and the Archives are encouraging citizens to identify their own historical hockey items and donate them for preservation. Persons who wish to donate their artifacts to the Ottawa Senators Collection at the City of Ottawa Archives are invited to drop off their items at the Senators' Gate 1 offices at Scotiabank Place. For more information on the collection of these items, please contact Karen Ruttan at 613-599-0305 or ruttank@ottawasenators.com.