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“I’m so happy for him, because he’s getting what he put into it.”

Brassard learned the values of hard work by studying veterans he played with in Columbus and New York, guys like Sergei Fedorov, Mike Peca, Adam Foote, Chris Clarke, Fredrik Modin, Manny Malhotra and, especially, Marty St. Louis.

When Brassard was with the Rangers, the team acquired St. Louis, whose sensational career included two Art Ross Trophies as the NHL’s leading scorer.

“On day offs, when no one would go in, he would go and work on his game,” Brassard remembered. “Everyone’s like, ‘The guy is 39 years old.’ He was working on his game all the time. One-timers, in-tight stuff, the little things.

“I’m like, ‘If he is working on his game and he’s had 100 points, why can’t we?’ He had won scoring titles and stuff. It was pretty cool to see. You learn from other guys.”

Brassard is now trying to pay it forward. Sitting two stalls from rookie Alex Formenton, he is taking the 18-year old under his wing.

“He doesn’t talk much, but I’m sure he’s looking at other guys, the stuff they do, the way they practise,” said Brassard, who is usually among the first Senators on the ice. “Me and (Mark Stone) try to get him involved with the guys. Stoner brought him to shop, bought a pair of shoes and a sweater.

“When I was younger, I always appreciated when older guys are nice to you. You feel more comfortable. You play better.”

Last season, Brassard’s first with his hometown team, his point production dropped by 20. Boucher is certain his No. 1A centre will now be back to his old self, even after first-game adrenalin has run its course.