Captain or not, Jake Sanderson is helping shape the Ottawa Senators' future

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOttawa SenatorsSportsHockeyNHLSenators Extra Captain or not, Jake Sanderson is helping shape the Ottawa Senators' future Veteran defenceman is one of the candidates to become the next captain in Ottawa after Brady Tkachuk was traded this off-season. Author of the article: By Bruce Garrioch Published Sep 18, 2026 Last updated 1 hour ago 4 minute read Join the conversation Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson skates during training camp at the Bell Sensplex. PHOTO BY TONY CALDWELL /POSTMEDIA Article content Leadership isn’t stitched on a jersey. Article content Jake Sanderson has earned it the hard way. Article content Article content The Ottawa Senators have yet to announce who will wear the ‘C’ this season, but there is a reason the club’s top defenceman is considered to be on the list of the top three candidates to be named the 10th captain in franchise history after Brady Tkachuk’s departure. Article content Whether there is a letter on his jersey or not when the dust has settled on the selection of a new captain by Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, and coach Travis Green, the 24-year-old Sanderson will help carry the Senators this season. Article content Article content He is well aware that his name has been mentioned as one of the frontrunners for the job, along with veteran defenceman Thomas Chabot and top centre Tim Stutzle, and Sanderson admitted after Day 2 of training camp on Friday that he has given it some thought. Article content Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content And, if he’s given the honour by Staios and Green, Sanderson will be ready for the job. Article content “You never know what’s going to happen in the next few days or the next few weeks, but again, I just feel like it’s kind of credit to my teammates and coaches too,” Sanderson said. “We have such a tight group in there. Whoever it is, everyone will be super happy and proud of them. Article content “It’s just a really special group.” Article content Staios and Green contemplated a decision before camp got underway, but wanted to see the group together first. Article content How the future will play a role in the next…