After being waived twice and traded once, Nate Thompson finally had control of his own destiny this summer for the first time in his 10-year NHL career.

The 32-year-old center ultimately chose the Senators, inking a two-year, $3.3 million deal as an unrestricted free agent.

Playing in the Western Conference Final with the Ducks last spring, and coming close to the Stanley Cup Final with the Lightning in 2011, Thompson sought to play for a team that had a chance to win. Watching the Sens' recent run to the Eastern Conference Final sold him on Ottawa.

“I think after watching the Senators more and more as the playoffs wore on, you could see how hard they were to play against," said Thompson. "There are so many players on their team that are so talented. Things they do with and without the puck, goaltending, from top to bottom it’s a pretty complete team. You add the structure and discipline, it’s a pretty good hockey club.”

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It doesn't hurt that the Senators are coached by Guy Boucher either. Thompson had his most productive season playing for Boucher in 2010-11 when he established career-highs with ten goals, 15 assists and 25 points. The hard-working, blue-collar Thompson was a favorite of Boucher's in Tampa Bay; and it's not a surprise the coach wanted him back in Ottawa.

“It definitely helped having that familiarity, knowing what he expects, structure, how his teams play, the style of game," Thompson said of Boucher.

It also helps that Thompson will reunite with a pair of old friends. Tom Pyatt was a Lightning teammate, while Bobby Ryan and Thompson participated together on the United States entry at the 2012 World Championships.

Thompson aims to follow Pyatt’s lead from last season.

“When you come to a new team, you want to come in and do your job.," stated the Anchorage, Alaska native. "That’s what I try do. In games I watched last season, Pysie came in and did a great job and fit in right away.”

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WATCH: https://t.co/3PGhj5gDRO pic.twitter.com/anr1uhW2zc — Ottawa Senators (@Senators) July 1, 2017

Having played in non-hockey climates the past eight years, Thompson also relishes the challenge of playing and residing in Canada.

“That was an exciting part about signing here," offered Thompson. "It wasn’t just about coming to a good team. It’s wanting to deal with a Canadian market. It’s about learning new ways in Canada. I can’t wait. It’ll be a bit of a culture shock.”

The 6-foot, 212-pound Thompson has appeared in 550 NHL games for the Bruins, Islanders, Lightning and Ducks. He is a solid face-off man, having won 52.1 percent of the draws he's taken over the course of his career, including 53.1 percent a year ago.

You may now kiss the - Nate Thompson?! Congratulations to Steven Stamkos on his recent nuptials to longtime girlfriend, Sandra! pic.twitter.com/p3LsKOPmwv — NHLPA (@NHLPA) July 5, 2017

Popular on social media sites, Thompson may have to rename his Instagram and Twitter handles -- @nthompson44 and @NateThompson44 respectively.

Forty-four is reserved for Senators fan favourite Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Not wanting to “rock the boat,” Thompson will don No.17 in the coming season. It was the number he wore during Dimond High School’s victory in the Alaska State Hockey Championship.

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Thompson recently was house-hunting in Ottawa and will return in August with his partner Sydney. He can hardly wait for the opening-night puck-drop.

“Seeing this team now is ready to win," Thompson said of what excites him the most about signing with the Sens. "I told people I don’t think this is a Cinderella team. This team is the real deal. They have a good window to win games and hopefully do something special.”

Senators fans hope so too.