Hockey Night in CanadaAlfredsson shone brighter than All-Star Game

There were so many periphery issues that enveloped the NHL All-Star weekend. But after each issue had run its course the NHL All-Star festivities always returned to Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson.

OTTAWA -- Even though Daniel Alfresson's team was defeated 12-9 by Zdeno Chara's squad in the 2012 NHL all-star game, the day capped off another incredible chapter in the life of the likeable Ottawa Senators captain.

There were so many periphery issues that enveloped the NHL all-star weekend. First, it was Alex Ovechkin's infantile decision not to attend because of his three-game suspension. When Tim Thomas arrived in town, it was time to revisit his decision not to join his teammates for their White House visit earlier in the week.

On Saturday, NHLPA executive Donald Fehr and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman chimed in on the looming collective agreement talks. Finally, the Sidney Crosby concussion watch became more muddled with the news that he suffered a serious neck injury along the way, too.

The focus, however, kept coming back to the Senators and even former Ottawa players like Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa and Brian Elliott as well as former Ottawa 67's junior Logan Couture. But it was the 39-year-old Alfredsson who stole the show with his class, charm and hospitality.

You just had to be inside Scotiabank Place when, playing alongside Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Alfredsson scored goals 91 seconds apart to put his club ahead 6-5 late in the second period. The ovation he received was a special moment.

"We joke when we play against [the Sedins] that they speak a language on the ice that is almost alien," said Alfredsson, sitting alongside fellow Senators all-stars Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and Milan Michalek. "We joke that you have to tune into their frequency."

Thomas spoils Alfie's hat trick

Alfredsson tried desperately to notch his hat-trick goal, but Thomas spoiled the day. He stopped Alfredsson four times in the third period and the Senators captain had another four close calls, including a post.

"I didn't try at all to score in the third," Alfredsson said with his trademark sense of humour.

New York Rangers forward Marian Gaborik did score three times and earned MVP honours. But to the 20,510 fans at Scotiabank Place Alfredsson was their MVP. They chanted "Alfie, Alfie, Alfie," as the players shook hands.

"It's been Daniel Alfredsson week," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said. "We've had the opportunity to see a legend here. He's not only a great player, he's done so much for the community. He's a leader in every sense." 

The Senators' 20th anniversary season was supposed to be a rebuilding year and possibly the final turn around the league for Alfredsson. But the captain and his young teammates have put themselves into position for a spot in the playoffs.

Alfredsson had off-season back surgery, but already has more goals (17 to 14) and points (38 to 31) than he checked in with in his injury-shortened 54-game season last year.

His play and the Senators surprising run had Alfredsson saying earlier in the week that he is leaning towards playing another year.

The longest serving captain in the NHL is in his 16th season with the Senators. Pretty good for kid who almost chose soccer over hockey and started out as a defenceman before he switched to forward at age 14.

Believing in Alfredsson

It was the late John Ferguson who believed in Alfredsson, who was taken in the sixth round (133rd overall) in the 1994 NHL entry draft. Only Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Smyth, taken sixth overall, has played more combined regular season and playoff games from that draft than Alfredsson. Smyth has suited up 1,211 times, two more games than Alfredsson.

"Hockey is a respectful game, and players respect what Alfredsson has done throughout his career," Spezza said.

Before he joined the Senators, he was told he likely would spent most of his first season with Senators minor-league affiliate in Prince Edward Island. Instead, he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's 1995-96 rookie of the year and never looked back. A decade later he won Olympic gold with Sweden and, in 2007, helped the Senators advanced to the Stanley Cup final.

He is proud to live in Ottawa with his wife Bibi and their four sons. They likely will remain in Ottawa after Alfredsson's playing days conclude and there is a possibility that one day he could join the Senators front office in some capacity. Even Alfredsson's younger brother, Henrik, who came over to play junior for the 67's in 1998-99 and scored 22 goals, has stayed on to work for the Ottawa police service.

"From a selfish point [this all-star weekend] will rank high," Alfredsson said. "It was just a whole ego weekend pretty much. It's been great to share this with Jason, Milan and Erik, too.

"The way this year has developed for us has been really good. These three guys have led the way for us and as a team we have surprised pretty much everyone ... There have been a lot of positives.

"Personally, I feel healthy and I'm having fun on the ice again. Then to have a weekend like this has been surreal. I could never have dreamed of anything like this. I don't know how to embrace it really. I don't think until tonight after the kids go to bed, I can sit and relax and I'm sure I'll be dead tired. I can take it all in and realize this is something not everybody gets a chance to experience.

"I don't know if I deserve it or not. It's definitely been something that has been humbling. It's been great."