Ottawa Senators gave Gatineau forward Derick Brassard a professional tryout Thursday ahead of their upcoming training camp.

Brassard, 34, wore the team’s jersey in 139 regular season games between 2016 and 2018. In his first assignment in the federal capital, he helped the “Sens” to reach the third round of the playoffs. The veteran spent last season with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Edmonton Oilers. He had eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 46 games. In the playoffs, the forward only played one game.

Asked about the arrival of pivotal striker Michael Dal Colle, who was also invited by the club, general manager Pierre Dorion is pleased to have acted in that direction. In the middle, Brassard will have a lot to do to fight for a place. The organization counts on Josh Norris, Shane Pinto, Tim Stutzle and Dylan Gambrell in this position.

“It’s a decision we had to make. Simple, Derick was in our sights and Michael was playing under the orders of [l’entraîneur-chef] T J Smith [dans les rangs juniors, chez les Generals d’Oshawa]. We currently have four center players, but we always wanted to create healthy competition there,” the DG commented to the local newspaper.

“He’ll be there playing exhibition games at the center,” he then promised, referring to the Quebecer. Let’s see what else he has in store.”

The Senators’ first preseason game is scheduled for September 24 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. During the preseason, they will face the Montreal Canadiens four times on October 1st, 4th, 6th and 8th.