While the rest of us were soaking up summer with backyard barbecues and patio nights, Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer was apparently counting down the days to September.

During an early-morning walk with his dog yesterday, he noticed mist rising from the water and, later, a blanket of fog over nearby fields. “It kind of made me smile,” he said. “I realized hockey season is upon us.”

Andlauer was speaking at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata. The brief welcome remarks were emceed by a Sens jersey-wearing Rosey Edeh, co-host of CTV Morning Live and a former Olympian.

The golf tournament is the team’s unofficial season kickoff — a chance for the full roster to come together for a laid-back day of golf, camaraderie and giving back to the community. The players start training camp next week.

As excited as Andlauer is about the upcoming season, he did have one significant summer highlight to reflect on: the Senators’ purchase (with the help of president and CEO Cyril Leeder and some of the ownership group) of 11 acres of land at LeBreton Flats from the National Capital Commission for the construction of a new entertainment facility in Ottawa’s downtown area, which will include a brand new hockey arena.

Michael Andlauer, owner of the Ottawa Senators, welcomed golfers to the Senators Charity Open held at The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata on Monday, Aug. 8, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The golf tournament remains “pretty special” for Andlauer; it was the first Ottawa Senators community event he attended two years ago, when he was new to his role as owner. “It means a lot to me, it means a lot to us, and it means a lot to this community,” he said of the way it brings fans, corporate sponsors, players and staff together to make a positive difference in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

In his remarks, Sens general manager Steve Staios commended the Ottawa Senators players for their active involvement off the ice, noting the time and effort they dedicate to fans and local causes. “They stick around until every last autograph is signed,” he noted.

More than 144 golfers enjoyed perfect golf weather: clear, sunny and comfortably cool. There were snacks and refreshments along the way, although no hole stood out quite like the one that came with puppies. Also a big hit were the players’ personalized golf balls — collectibles in their own right — which later doubled as entries in a Canadian Tire draw for a $250 gift card.

Also worth mentioning: participants, as they arrived to the event in their vehicles, were handed cases of beer from sponsor Molson Canadian (which went straight into their trunks).

Ottawa Senators winger David Perron cuddles one of the German Shepherd puppies that greeted golfers at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle holds up his personalized golf ball at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Senators forward Zach MacEwan plays with one of the German Shepherd puppies that was greeting golfers at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The event had a fundraising goal of $350,000 for the Senators Community Foundation in support of such youth mental health causes as Youth Services Bureau, The Royal Ottawa’s Do It For Daron initiative, and Gatineau’s emergency crisis centre. The bulk of the proceeds were raised through sponsorship and entrance fees, with the remaining $25,000 coming from the raffle, silent auction and direct donations.

Also benefiting are BGC Ottawa’s after-school programs, the Capital City Condors hockey program for players with cognitive and/or physical disabilities, and ONFE’s School Breakfast Program.

During the breakfast reception, team captain Brady Tkachuk and his teammate, defenceman Nick Jensen, took time to sign autographs and jerseys for children and youth from the beneficiary organizations.

Tkachuk and his wife, Emma Farinacci, have a “wonderful partnership” with BGC Ottawa, said CEO Adam Joiner. “We’re really proud of the relationship that we have with the Senators Community Foundation. They do a lot for the Club. They’re a major gift donor and provide a lot of opportunities for the youth.”

Ottawa Senators team captain Brady Tkachuk poses for a photo with members of the Capital City Condors during the breakfast reception at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Bell Canada’s vice president of network technology services, Russ Himes, referenced a report released last year — published by Mental Health Research Canada in partnership with Bell Let’s Talk — on the state of youth mental health in Canada. The findings were troubling, with rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation all on the rise.

“That is why we’re here today,” said Himes, emphasizing the need to raise awareness, take collective action and invest in organizations addressing youth mental health.

YSB Foundation executive director Patti Murphy told CiTC how their walk-in clinic and 24/7 crisis services have experienced “tremendous” benefit from the support the organization receives from the Senators Community Foundation. “It’s seeing that investment in a young person pay off after they’ve essentially graduated from the program. They now know how to manage things when challenges arise; they have the tools to carry them into adulthood.”

The crowd heard more about mental health from Senators Community Foundation president Jacqueline Belsito, and how some of the players  — including goalie Linus Ullmark — have distinguished themselves with their more candid conversations on the subject.

“Talking about mental health openly and honestly is how change begins,” said Belsito. “You being here today shows that this matters to you, and it matters to us. You’ve heard us say, ‘What the Sens do off the ice is just as important as what the Sens do on the ice’. We care about our fans, and we care about our community.”

Belsito shared the story of a fan who posted online about losing his teenage son to suicide. His courageous post prompted one of the Senators players to reach out to him, offering comfort “not because they had to, not because they were told to, but because they wanted this family to know that they were not alone.

“That’s what a community looks like. That’s what the Ottawa Senators look like. This is why we’re here today.”

From left, BumpCBN chief technology officer Matt Annis, Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson, BUMP partner services manager Jaclyn Debutte, and BUMP director Patric McKechnie at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios participated in a media scrum before the start of the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder, CAA managing director of marketing Jenah Thompson and CAA managing director of communications and public relations Julie Beun, at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk signed jerseys for players with Capital City Condors players during the breakfast reception at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa entrepreneur Jeff York, one of the local minority owners of the Ottawa Senators hockey club, at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Anna Melnyk and her sister Olivia Melnyk, who remain part of the ownership group of the Ottawa Senators, at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Chris Bockstael, president of OneLife, and Nav Aggarwal, president and CEO of Arjshiv Investments — both part of the local minority ownership group of the Ottawa Senators — with Christine Clancy, senior director of premium sales and services at Senators Sports & Entertainment, at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, PCL Construction vice president Paul Knowles with district manager Mathew Baranowski and Jamie Hidi, vice president of national business development, at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Rosey Edeh, co-host of CTV Morning Live, emceed in her Sens jersey during the welcoming remarks at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell, at The Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Geoff Walker (RE/MAX Absolute Walker Realty); David Poulin, senior vice-president of hockey operations for the Ottawa Senators; Mercedes-Benz Ottawa Downtown general manager Dimos Agraniotis; and The Marshes Golf Club general manager Nyle Kelly at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Alyssa Mougeot was serving up Golden Palace egg rolls to golfers at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Britney Steuernol (Ottawa Network for Education), Cameron Lowry, Ottawa Senators player Nick Jensen, students Cooper Blanchette and Aonghus Lowry, Sens team captain Brady Tkachuk, Patrick Blanchette and Mitch Miller, director of advancement at ONFE (Ottawa Network for Education), with Ottawa Senators mascot Spartacat, at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Jennifer Cameron, director of events and fundraising for the Senators Community Foundation, with the Foundation’s president, Jacqueline Belsito, and event specialist, Cassandra Chiasson, Ottawa Senators mascot Spartacat, and the team from The Thirst Responder mobile bar at the Senators Charity Open, presented by Bell. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Senators players and staff pose with children and youth from some of the organization benefiting from the Senators Charity Open, held at The Marshes Golf Club on Monday, September, 8, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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