Craig Anderson signs 1-day contract to retire an Ottawa Senator

Craig Anderson might not have spent all his years as an NHL goaltender in Ottawa, but he did spend his best years here. 

The 42-year-old Illinois-born netminder signed a one-day contract with the Senators Tuesday to retire as a member of the team.

"This organization has become family, thank you for this opportunity to put this sweater on one last time," Anderson told the media at the Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday.

Speaking to CBC, he shared the importance of giving back to a community that showed him and his family so much support over the years. 

When you're done being a player, what's left is the memories and the friendships.- Craig Anderson, former Ottawa Senators goalie

"When you're done being a player, what's left is the memories and the friendships. They're kind of the feel-good moments that people will always remember," said Anderson.

"That's kind of why this city has been so near and dear to my heart."

Anderson never received the sendoff befitting a team's winningest goalie. With the pandemic, and well-publicized rebuild, the team opted not to renew his contract in 2020 and he quietly moved on with stints in Washington and Buffalo. But the Sens will correct that wrong Tuesday night when they honour Anderson before their game against his most recent team, the Buffalo Sabres. 

"I'm glad they're doing it right for him," said former Ottawa teammate and close friend Bobby Ryan. "I think there was a bit of a feeling of being underappreciated with how things ended, but it was somewhat evident to him and I that year, that the future was changing and we weren't going to be a part of it any longer."

Anderson's last game came in a Sabres uniform this past April when he helped the team defeat the Sens in overtime. After the game he announced his intention to retire. 

Best ever Senator in net

Anderson has far and away the most wins among the franchise's goalies over the past 30 years, posting 202 wins in more than 400 appearances. He also holds the team record for most playoff wins and games played as a goalie. An accomplishment made all the more impressive as they came during some relatively lean years for the team.

One of his biggest seasons with the Sens, on the ice, came in 2016-2017. But it was also one of great personal pain off the ice.

Early in the season Anderson's wife, Nicholle, was diagnosed with throat cancer and he briefly left the team. At her urging he returned and in his first game back posted an emotional shutout. 

Anderson was named the game's first star and returned to the ice in tears and to an emotional ovation.

"That night he probably played the most memorable game I've seen a goalie play," said friend and goalie coach Pierre Groulx. "It was all on emotion. It was a tribute to Nicholle. It was a tribute to him and the person he is."

Anderson took a leave of absence to be by his wife's side, but chose to return after the NHL all-star break to help the Senators down the stretch. 

The team went on to advance to the Eastern Conference finals where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7.

"A lot of people would have completely understood if he didn't come back that season," said Ryan. "I was blown away that he came back, and then to go on the run and be the cornerstone of our team again very quickly was incredible.

Anderson won the Bill Masterton Trophy that year, awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. To date, he's the only Senator to have won that award.