Two “unrelated” season-ending surgeries on Peter Regin’s left shoulder have not scared the Senators off him at all.

In fact, their faith in the 26-year-old Dane being an important player for them is almost as strong as ever.

Rather than let Regin walk as a free agent, the Senators inked Regin Friday to a one-year, one-way deal. While his salary was not immediately available, it’s doubtful the contract carries much of a raise. Regin, who came to camp pencilled in as the team’s second line centre, played just 10 games before needing an operation on the same shoulder that he injured after 55 games in 2010-11.

In his absence, the Senators traded for Kyle Turris, who will be ahead of Regin on the depth chart when camp begins if the latter remains a centre.

“We’re very happy to get Peter into the fold,” said assistant GM Tim Murray. “He’s had a tough two seasons with injuries, which certainly is not his fault ... when he did play for us and wasn’t injured, he was certainly a Top 9 forward, with good offensive skills and good ability to get up and down the ice. It’s just unfortunate he didn’t have a chance to show that for a full season under (coach) Paul’s (MacLean) system, which I think he fits probably better in than a couple of systems we’ve had here in the past.

“It was a deal myself and his people were able to come to. We expect Top 9 minutes, important minutes, and pretty good offensive production from him.”

Because of the injuries, Regin has never been able to completely live up to the completely live up to the expectations his talents have built. A third round pick of the Senators in 2004, he has just 19 goals and 33 assists for 52 points in 151 NHL games. He showed flashes of brilliance in a 2010, six-game playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, when he scored three goals, added an assist and was arguably Ottawa’s best player. Had he stayed healthy, he could very well be entrenched as a first or second line player by now.

“I had a tough year, but I’m excited to get back,” said Regin, who was adamant about wanting to remain in the nation’s capital. “My shoulder is feeling really good and I’ll be back to 100 percent when camp starts so I’m very excited about it.

“I’m going to stay here in Ottawa for most of the summer, at least for two more months, or until the shoulder is perfect. I’m going to start skating soon, so that will be nice and fun to get back on the ice and feel like a hockey player again. But the shoulder is good. I’m working out now. I’m still working on the range, but it’s almost there so it feels really good.

“I think this team has a great future. It will be exciting. Lots of bodies to compete for the spots, so it will be exciting in training camp. I’m looking forward to getting back out there and kind of prove myself all over again.”

The Senators are convinced he will.

“He’s shown in the past he has a ton of potential, and we still think it’s there,” said Murray. “He’s worked hard to get back from injury. We fully expect him to be in great shape come training camp. I know he’s highly motivated to prove he can play in the league, to prove that he can be a big help to the Ottawa Senators. And we believe that.

“He’s a versatile player. He can play centre, he can play wing, he can kill penalties and he can play on your power play. That’s the type of player you’re always looking for. He can play in all situations.

“Both injuries were to his shoulder, but they weren’t related injuries. We feel the surgery went extremely well, and by all accounts (there will be) 100 percent recovery.

“Could he injure his shoulder again? Sure. All of us could injure any parts of our body. But I don’t think it’s related to what’s happened (in the past) and talking to our medical people, they expect and know there will be a full recovery and ready to go. So we’re excited.”

don.brennan@sunmedia.ca