OTTAWA - For the 16th consecutive season, the Senators will honour the men, women and families of the Canadian Armed Forces at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, when the Ottawa hosts the Detroit Red Wings at Canadian Tire Centre.

Thousands of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families will attend this year's Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, presented by Canadian Tire, in the 100 and 200 levels on behalf of Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night corporate supporters, season-seat members, Eugene Melnyk and the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club.

"This annual event is about showing support for the women and men serving our country in the Canadian Armed Forces and giving back to those who protect and preserve our way of life," said Senators owner and governor Eugene Melnyk. "In honouring our Canadian Armed Forces in this way, we are bringing together people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to show their support and respect for the Canadians who protect our rights and freedoms. We encourage everyone to come out and salute the character and commitment of these brave Canadian Armed Forces members and their families."

How Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night gives back

Since 2008, the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and its Foundation, in partnership with corporate supporters of its annual Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, has been investing in programs to support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) serving members, veterans and their families. More than $850,000 has been invested in the establishment of the Military Family Fund-Sens Foundation Endowment Fund that has awarded 220 CAF members and their families a bursary to attend one of the three Algonquin College campuses in Ontario; and generating important awareness for more than 2,400 veterans sleeping on Canadian streets on any given night while investing funds to support the issue of their homelessness.

Funds raised as part of the Oct. 23 Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night will benefit Support Our Troops to specifically support family resiliency projects like summer camp bursaries for dependents of CAF members. More than 40 children and youth had the opportunity to attend camp in the summer of 2019 as a result.

Special activities for Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night

Fans are encouraged to come early and be in their seats for the opening of the pre-game ceremonies in order to witness a special ceremonial puck drop by General Jonathan H. Vance, chief of the defence staff. The anthems will also be sung by three members of the Canadian Armed Forces and will feature the Canadian Armed Forces flag party.

Senators players will be wearing special CADPAT (Canadian Disruptive Pattern) camouflage jerseys during the pre-game warm-up that will be signed and made available via auction with proceeds going to Support Our Troops. These jerseys can be viewed at auction tables in Club Red and sections 227 and 203 or via the the web at ottawasenators.com/auction beginning at 10 a.m. EST. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, with bidding ending at 5 p.m. ET. on Thursday, Oct. 24.

During intermissions, fans we will have the opportunity to enjoy performances by the official Royal Canadian Air Force 'Rock Band' the Spitfire Kings, a rock ensemble who draw inspiration from a huge repertoire of classic rock, blues and R&B. Formed in 2014, The Spitfire Kings' debut album, Dead Reckoning, was released in June 2019. A Canadian Armed Forces G Wagon, also known as a Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (LUVW), will also hit the ice during intermission. The G Wagon is used by Regular and Reserve field units and training establishments to provide tactical transport in the fields of command and control, liaison, reconnaissance and military police.

About Support Our Troops

Support Our Troops, an official qualified donee of Her Majesty in right of Canada for the CAF community, was established to meet the unique needs and special challenges faced by members of the CAF community as a result of military service. Support Our Troops provides a platform to allow a range of supporters to show their care, compassion and support to serving members, veterans and their families.

Fans who arrive early will have the opportunity to receive mini sticks and bracelets from Support Our Troops and Accora Village upon entry, while quantities last.

About Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night

Spearheaded by Eugene Melnyk and the Ottawa Senators in 2004, Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night has become a key event in Ottawa's event calendar. The Senators were one of the first NHL teams to go to great lengths to honour servicemen and women. Mr. Melnyk and the Senators have hosted more than 33,000 members of the Armed Forces and their families since the program started. In acknowledgment of Mr. Melnyk's long-time support of the Canadian Military, on Jan. 14, 2015, he was named the honorary colonel of 414 Electronic Warfare Support Squadron during a ceremony in Ottawa.

Corporate Partners of Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night

Corporate partners for Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night include Accora Village, Babcock Canada, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Canadian Tire, Decisive Technologies, KPMG, Lockheed Martin, MDA Corporation, Palantir Technology and Thales. The Ottawa Senators thank them for their support of our Canadian Armed Forces.

Tickets for Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night

Tickets for the 16th annual Ottawa Senators Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night are available at ticketmaster.ca . Fans can join in the action with prices starting at $30 in the Coca-Cola Zone, $35 in the McDonald's Fan Zone, $45 in the 300 level, $90 in the 200 level and $115 in the 100 level.

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