Last night in Ottawa was an emotional night. Prior to taking on the Islanders, the Senators honored former captain Daniel Alfredsson during a touching retirement ceremony. The popular franchise leading scorer was welcomed home with open arms. Following a press conference earlier in the day, he donned his trademark number 11 and took warm ups with his former teammates including fellow Swede and friend Erik Karlsson.

Alfredsson was drafted by the Senators in the sixth round 133th overall in 1994. Despite selecting number one picks Alexei Yashin, Alexander Daigle and Radek Bonk, it was the gem they grabbed late who became the symbol of some strong Ottawa teams that battled Toronto in the playoffs and made one Stanley Cup trip in 2007. A proud man known to all of Ottawa as Alfie was the one constant. “Alf-ie, “Alf-ie!” chants rained down Thursday during a great video tribute followed by some kind words from their hero.

A six-time All-Star who won the Calder Trophy in ’95-96, Alfredsson is the Sens’ all-time leader in games played (1,178), goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108). He spent 17 seasons with Ottawa before playing his final season in Detroit. Alfie helped Sweden win Olympic gold in Torino scoring five goals and five assists as an alternate captain. In the 2007 playoffs, an Alfredsson-led Sens won the East advancing to the Stanley Cup Final where they fell in five games to the Ducks. In 20 games, he led the club with 14 goals and tied for the team lead in points (22) with linemates Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. Only one Senator remains from that team in Chris Phillips. The former ’96 first overall pick has spent his entire career in Ottawa.

Even though those teams never won a Cup, they were very good. The Sabres upset them in 2006 on a Jason Pominville shorthanded goal that eliminated Ottawa in the second round. The Sens returned the favor a year later defeating Buffalo in five games on a beauty from Alfredsson in sudden death. He gave his fans some great moments they won’t ever forget.

Alfredsson finishes his career with 444 goals, 713 assists and 1,157 points in 1,246 games. Among Swedish born players, he ranks second in scoring trailing only Mats Sundin (1,349). He’s 51st on the all-time scoring list. Is he destined for the Hockey Hall Of Fame? He has some credentials winning Olympic gold and silver along with becoming the first European captain to lead a team to the Stanley Cup Final. Nicklas Lidstrom and Zdeno Chara are the only players to captain teams to the Cup. He won the King Clancy Trophy in 2012 and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2013.

Alfredsson had a lot of consistent years putting up 70 points-or-more in 10 seasons. His career best came in ’05-06 when he notched 43 goals, 60 assists and 103 points. He had two 40-goal seasons and four of 30-plus. Alfie was also a playmaker tallying 50 assists-or-better in five seasons. His career postseason numbers are respectable totaling 51 goals, 50 assists and 101 points in 124 games. No major awards. Similar to Sundin, who was inducted in 2012. The difference is Mats had 564 goals and 1,349 points in 1,346 games making him a point-per-game performer who scored 500. Alfredsson might be a tough sell. But there’s no doubt he’s one of the best European players. Only time will tell if he makes it.