Former Ottawa Senator teammates joined Marian Hossa in Slovakia Friday for his farewell game and charity fundraiser.
During his 19 NHL seasons, former Ottawa Senator Marian Hossa piled up a huge list of highlights, fans and friends.
Some of those friends are also NHL greats, who arrived Friday at the Pavol Demitra Ice Stadium in Trencin Slovakia to support and honour their popular former teammate. Hossa had invited them to his charity fundraiser that was also billed as his goodbye game.
Former Senators taking part included Daniel Alfredsson, Zdeno Chara, Martin Havlat, Marian Gaborik, Peter Bondra and Johnny Oduya. Other notable players in the mix included Nicklas Lidstrom, Jonathan Toews, Henrik Zetterberg, Dustin Byfuglien, Duncan Keith and many more.
The night featured laughs, half-speed hockey, and a Hossa-themed light show powered by drones, (picture an animated Lite-Brite). It featured images of the Hawks and Sens logos, the Stanley Cup and more as the PA announcer bellowed, "There's only one number 81!"
After six great seasons in Ottawa (1998-2004), Hossa will always be number 18 to Sens fans. But if they ever throw a Sens-themed party for him, no one in Ottawa would ever suggest there's only one number 18. Tim Stutzle has already kicked up a little dust with it.
But the number must still hold a little magic for Hossa, who scored late in the game Friday to things up at nine. Yes, nine – the 18th goal on the 18th day of August.
Hossa will be remembered fondly in Ottawa as one of its greatest players and perhaps, depending on how you feel about Dany Heatley's time here, the one that got away.
Proceeds from the game went to "HOSS Heroes," a charity started by Hossa and his brother, Marcel, who also played in the NHL for several years.