The Ottawa Senators is a well-known name in Canadian professional hockey. Established in 1992, the team competes in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). Its name reflects Ottawa’s status as the seat of Canada’s national government, and it also honours a former local team (1903–1927) with the same name.
Since the team’s inception, the head coaches of the Ottawa Senators have changed over time. iOttawa shares more about the remarkable and professional coaches who helped elevate the local team to NHL prominence.
When Did Hockey Arrive in Ottawa?
Hockey first came to what would become Canada’s capital in 1883, with the establishment of the province of Ontario’s first amateur hockey club. The sport quickly gained popularity, and in 1893, the Ottawa Hockey Club participated in the Stanley Cup. The team won the trophy in 1903.
Over the years, the team underwent several name changes: the Generals in the 1890s, the Silver Seven from 1903 to 1907, and officially becoming the Senators in 1908.
Rick Bowness
Rick Bowness became the first head coach of the Ottawa Senators in 1992. An experienced figure in hockey, Bowness had played in the AHL and NHL and had coaching stints with teams like the Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins.
From 1992 to partway through the 1995–96 season, Bowness led the Senators during their formative years. Despite facing challenges, he described the period as foundational for the team’s future success.
Successes and Setbacks
The Senators won their first game on October 8, 1992, against Montreal. However, the 1992–93 season became one of the worst in NHL history. Bowness was dismissed in 1995 following a continued losing streak. Critics often attributed his struggles to the team’s underdeveloped roster.
Bowness later served as an assistant and head coach for several NHL teams, including the Vancouver Canucks and Arizona Coyotes.
Dave Allison
Dave Allison took over during the 1995–96 season, coaching 27 games in what became another dismal chapter for the Senators. Despite his efforts, the team’s performance set records for poor results. His tenure ended swiftly as management sought to salvage the season.
Jacques Martin
In January 1996, Jacques Martin was named head coach. He successfully elevated the team’s competitiveness, becoming one of the Senators’ most celebrated coaches.
During the 1996–97 season, Martin led the Senators to the playoffs. Though they lost a decisive match against Martin Brodeur’s New Jersey Devils, the team secured seven wins, a notable improvement. Under Martin’s guidance, the Senators were a top NHL contender by the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The 1998–99 season was the team’s best yet, and Martin received the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year. The following season, the team won the Presidents’ Trophy for the league’s best record.
Despite his success, Martin was dismissed in 2004 after a playoff loss.
Bryan Murray
Bryan Murray’s 2005–06 debut season as head coach was historic, with the team earning 113 points and 52 wins. Unfortunately, injuries, including to Dominik Hasek, derailed their playoff hopes.
Murray became the first inductee into the Senators’ Ring of Honour. Under his leadership, the team reached the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2006–07 season. Promoted to general manager in 2007, Murray remained influential in shaping the team. He passed away in 2017 after battling cancer.
John Paddock
John Paddock took over in 2007, leading the Senators to win 15 of their first 17 games. However, after 64 games and a poor stretch of results, he was dismissed. Bryan Murray returned as head coach before further changes in 2008.
Craig Hartsburg
Hartsburg’s brief tenure in the 2008–09 season ended after 48 games, as the team failed to meet expectations.
Cory Clouston
Clouston succeeded Hartsburg and coached through the end of the 2008–09 season. While he implemented a new system, injuries and inconsistency plagued the team, leading to missed playoff opportunities. Clouston was dismissed after the 2010–11 season.
Paul MacLean
Paul MacLean revitalized the Senators, earning a playoff berth and being named NHL Coach of the Year in 2013. However, the team struggled in subsequent seasons, and MacLean was dismissed in December 2014.
Dave Cameron
Cameron replaced MacLean in 2014, sparking initial optimism. Despite some success, the 2015–16 season ended in disappointment, and Cameron was let go.
Guy Boucher
Appointed in 2016, Guy Boucher’s first season showed promise, with the team reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. However, subsequent seasons saw declines, leading to his replacement in 2019 by interim coach Marc Crawford.
D.J. Smith
D.J. Smith was hired as head coach to rebuild the team. Despite challenges, Smith demonstrated strong leadership, earning recognition as “Coach of the Year” for achieving record improvements over his first three seasons. His ability to foster teamwork and growth has been a key asset for the Senators.
On average, the Ottawa Senators change coaches every two seasons. While stability has been a challenge, the team has achieved significant successes under some of its head coaches, leaving an indelible mark on Ottawa and the NHL.
