Senators by the Numbers: #18

Rob Murphy LW 1992-1993

Born in Hull, Quebec in 1969, Murphy was drafted 24^th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 1987. A promising power forward in junior, Murphy was slow to develop with the Canucks and bounced between the minors and the NHL. Eventually he was left unprotected in the 1992 NHL Expansion Draft and joined the Senators for Ottawa's inaugural season. Despite career highs in games and points, Murphy could not stick with the Senators and was released after one year. He would play his final 8 NHL games the next season with the Kings. Murphy spent the rest of his pro career in the IHL and DEL and retired in 2003. He currently works as a professional scout for the Senators.

Troy Mallette LW 1993-1994, 1994-1995

Born in Levack, Ontario in 1970, Mallette was drafted 22^nd overall in 1988. A journeyman NHLer, Mallette played for six different teams during his NHL career. He was traded to Ottawa with Craig Billington in 1993 for Peter Sidorkiewicz. Mallette played three seasons in Ottawa but his career ended prematurely when he suffered a back injury as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1997.

Patrick Traverse D 1995-1996

Born in Montreal in 1974, Traverse was drafted 50^th overall by the Senators in 1992. He made his first appearance in the series at #3 (1998-99, 1999-00), but wore #18 during his brief appearance in 1995-96. He spent the majority of his career in the AHL and the last three seasons in the DEL. He is currently a free agent.

Marian Hossa RW/LW 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-04

Born in Stará Ľubovňa, Czechoslovakia in 1979, Hossa was drafted 12^th overall by the Senators in 1997. Part of a hockey family, Marian's father František coached the Slovak national team and younger brother Marcel played in the NHL and now plays in the KHL. Hossa spent one season with the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL and made quite the impact: he was rookie of the year, a WHL and CHL First Team All-Star, was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team, and he led Portland to both a WHL and Memorial Cup championship. However, he suffered a serious knee injury in the championship game which would cause him to miss the first two months of his rookie season. Still, he was productive in his injury-shortened first season and finished as a finalist for the Calder Trophy. Hossa led the Sens in goals on three separate occasions (1999-00, 2002-03, 2003-04) and points twice (2002-03, 2003-04). Hossa re-signed with the Senators for three years and $18 million but was immediately traded for Dany Heatley in 2005. Hossa made the Stanley Cup Finals three years in a row with three different teams (the first player to achieve this feat), winning with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. Hossa has continued to represent Slovakia at every stage of his career, participating in two World Junior Championships, eight World Championships, and three Olympics.

Jesse Winchester C 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012

Born in Cornwall, Ontario in 1983, Winchester went undrafted and was signed by the Senators in 2008 after a successful NCAA career at Colgate University. A defensive, depth forward, Winchester's time in Ottawa was interrupted by two serious injuries (a shoulder injury and concussion). Winchester is currently a free agent and hopefully the lockout doesn't prevent him from receiving a new contract.

Best #18: Marian Hossa

It has to be Hossa. He was one of the best Senators ever. His continued strong play (coupled with Heatley's sharp decline) has left many wondering whether Ottawa should have made the trade at all.

Worst #18: Rob Murphy

While Malette and Traverse give him competition, it's pretty bad to have been released after a year with the 1992-93 Sens. I mean that was a really bad team and to not cut it with them? Not good.

Would you rather have had Hossa or Heatley play for the Sens during the 2005-2009 period?