Sens Showcase Their Skills, But Weren’t The Only Ones

The Ottawa Senators hosted their Sens Skills competition featuring PWHL Ottawa members Brianne Jenner, Savannah Harmon, Emily Clark, and Daryl Watts.

Girls lined up around every inch of the boards, holding their PWHL Ottawa signs with tremendous pride and excitement, screaming their lungs out, eagerly awaiting for the moment one of their favourite players stepped out onto the ice for pre competition warmups. And they were not disappointed, as Daryl Watts, captain Brianne Jenner, assistant captain Emily Clark and defender Savannah Harmon showcased the skillset so many fans have already fallen in love with at the Ottawa Sens Skills event.

The four members of PWHL Ottawa participated alongside their NHL counterparts at the event at the Canadian Tire Centre January 28.

“It was an incredible atmosphere," said Harmon. "It was really cool and honestly a fun day. I was really honoured to be a part of this day and represent our team. The guys were all awesome and it was just a great day."

You didn’t have to look too hard to see the young girls with their “PWHL! Here I come!” or “I can’t wait to go pro!” signs around the rink, dressed in their PWHL sweaters and PWHL Ottawa jerseys as there were plenty. It was a moment they’ve been waiting for and they were more than prepared to soak in.

As were the players, who were each greeted by the loudest applause every time their names were announced for one of the challenges and they did not disappoint. Jenner and Watts teamed up on Team White, captained by Ottawa Senators' captain Brady Tkachuk, while Clark and Harmon did the same for Team Black, captained by Thomas Chabot.

“It was so much fun. It was amazing that (the Sens) included us and they treated us so well," said Clark. "Just to get a chance to chat with some of the guys and build some of those relationships. They’re asking all about our league and how the season’s going. It means a lot. They’re definitely invested and following along and that’s really cool."

First up at the Sens Skills Competition was the puck control relay challenge, which was kicked off by Harmon, followed by Clark for Team Black, both of whom showcased their foot speed and made controlling the puck look easy. Then you had Jenner who, unsurprisingly to any fan of PWHL Ottawa, was in game mode all competition long. Jenner looked focused with each stride as she carried the puck between the cones and then Watts, with her strong stride effortlessly made it down the ice, retrieved the puck and made the rest look like a walk in the park. Team White won this challenge.

“I think it’s huge," said Watts. "I think exposure is the most important thing. Young girls seeing women like the four of us out there today, they could see themselves one day performing at a high level and to be included at the highest level which is the NHL, it’s just so important to continue the relationships with the NHL teams. It was great to be here!” 

Next up was the fastest skater challenge, which was kicked off by Clark who left most people in the building gobsmacked by her deceptive first step and crossover footwork as she completed a lap around the rink in 15.206 seconds. Still trying to catch their breath, Watts had the opportunity to showcase her speed and didn’t disappoint for one second, making it around the rink in 15.440 seconds. Josh Norris won this year’s fastest skater challenge with a final time of 14.252 seconds.

Members of PWHL Ottawa did not participate in the next event, the hardest shot competition. To no one’s surprise, Jakob Chychrun won with a blast topping 107.1 miles per hour, as bombs from the point are his forte.

The crowd was then treated to a show from social media star Pavel Barber who, as his Twitter profile so astutely puts it, is a stickhandling specialist but that doesn’t even begin to explain what the crowd saw. He was able to do magical things with that puck and, even when he didn’t score, he still took the breath away from each fan in attendance.

Following Barber's demonstration was the accuracy challenge, which featured Jenner from Team White and Harmon for Team Black and both impressed as they were able to finish the challenge in 11.427 seconds and 13.855 seconds respectively. This event was won by Tkachuk with a final time of 7.898 seconds.

Last up was a casual game of 3-on-3, which saw the entire bench from both teams rotate in and out of the game. Jenner showcased her slick hands with an assist which helped Team White tie things up, take it to overtime and then, on a great goal by Kubalik, Team White won the 2024 Sens Skills Competition.

“When we can get the city’s hockey teams together, it’s a really unique opportunity," said Jenner. "Any time we get to feel connected to the Ottawa community, we know we’re the new kids on the block, but we want to make those connections and build those relationships with the other sports teams here."

This event was equal parts an opportunity to showcase the skills of various Ottawa Senators and provide another stage to display the incredible women’s game, but it really is about the fans and this year, they were given a glimpse into what the future holds for the newest hockey franchise, something that has been missing at this level since the glory days of women’s hockey in this city in the early 1900s.