Senators by the Numbers: #27

Blair Atcheynum RW 1992-1993

Born in Estevan, Saskatchewan in 1969, Atcheynum was drafted 52^nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in 1989. He was claimed by the Senators in the 1992 NHL Expansion Draft. He played in 196 NHL games during his pro career, the majority of which was spent in the minors. He is currently an assistant coach with the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Hank Lammens D 1993-1994

Born in Brockville, Ontario in 1966, Lammens was drafted 160^th overall by the New York Islanders in 1985. After four years at St. Lawrence University, where he served as captain during his senior year, Lammens spent four seasons in the minors. In 1992-93, Lammens played 64 games with the Canadian National Team and served as captain. He signed as a free agent with Ottawa in 1993 and his 27 games with the Sens were his only in the NHL. Lammens was a two sport athlete; in addition to his hockey career, Lammens was a successful sailor. He represented Canada at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona in 1992 and was twice world champion in the finn class. He now works as managing director for the investment bank of Thomas Weisel Partners in New York City.

Phil Bourque LW 1993-1994

Born in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Bourque is a distant cousin of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque. Undrafted, he signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1982. Bourque won two Cups with the Penguins and after winning his second championship in 1992, he carved his name inside the Cup with the names of jewelers while tightening a loose screw on the trophy. He left Pittsburgh for the Rangers in August, 1992 and was traded to Ottawa for future considerations, March 21, 1994. Bourque wore two numbers during his time in the capital, #27 was the first. Just before the lockout in 1994-95, he nearly died when he fell 40 feet off a cliff near Lake Powell, Arizona. He broke three vertebrae in his neck, broke his skull, shattered his sinus cavity, and broke his cheekbone and nose. Remarkably, he played 38 games for the Senators that same season. Bourque finished his playing career in the Bundesliga 2 with the Hamburg Crocodiles in 1999-00. He currently serves as a commentator on Penguins radio broadcasts.

Joe Cirella D 1995-1996

Born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1963, Cirella was drafted 5^th overall in by the Colorado Rockies in 1981. A veteran NHLer when he was signed by the Senators in October, 1995, he played just six games for the Senators. His time in Ottawa marked the end of his NHL career and he played one more season professionally in Germany before retiring in 1997. Cirella is currently the Assistant Coach and Assistant GM of the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.

Janne Laukkanen D 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000

Born in Lahti, Finland in 1970, Laukkanen was drafted 156^th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1991. He was acquired by the Senators from Colorado for Brad Larsen in 1996. He established himself as an NHLer during his time in Ottawa but was part of the package (along with Ron Tugnutt) traded to Pittsburgh for Tom Barasso in 2000. Twice an Olympic bronze medal winner with Finland (1994, 1998), he has worked with minor league teams in Finland since retiring.

Ricard Persson D 2000-2001, 2001-2002

Born in Östersund, Sweden in 1969, Persson was drafted 23^rd overall by the New Jersey Devils in 1987. Signed by Ottawa as a free agent in 2000, his time in the capital was not successful. An ankle injury prevented him from playing much of the year and the following season Persson was often a healthy scratch. An ill-timed penalty against Tie Domi in the 2002 playoffs was blamed for Ottawa's early exist. Ottawa was his last stop in the NHL and Persson spent the next three seasons with the Berlin Polar Bears. He has subsequently spent time playing in Austria, Italy, and Japan.

Dennis Bonvie RW 2002-2003

Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 1973, Bonvie was an undrafted enforcer when he signed as a free agent with the Edmonton Oilers in 1994. Despite playing only 92 career NHL games, Bonvie was a member of six different clubs. Signed as a free agent by Ottawa in 2002, he played just 12 games with the Senators and was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for Charlie Stephens in 2004. He spent the majority of his pro career in the minors, playing for 8 AHL teams. Bonvie is best known for being the most penalized pro hockey player in history (4,804 PIMs, mostly in the AHL). Since retiring in 2008, he's been busy: he runs a hockey camp in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has opened three restaurants (Bonvie's Old Forge Pizza Express, Bonvie's Beefy King, and Bonvie's Blue Chip Gourmet) in Pennsylvania, and also works as a pro scout for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Todd Simpson D 2003-2004

Born in North Vancouver in 1973, Simpson was an undrafted college/junior player when he was signed by the Calgary Flames in 1994. While a member of the Ducks he was traded to Ottawa for Petr Schastlivy, February, 2004. He signed as a free agent with the Blackhawks in 2005 and the 2005-2006 was his last in the NHL. In 2006-2007 he played in Germany as a member of the Hannover Scorpions. He received a 12-game suspension in the playoffs for abuse of an official and he never played another professional game. In 2011 he participated in the TV show "Battle of the Blades" and was partnered with U.S. Olympian Marcy Hinzmann. Simpson currently works as a real estate agent in Kelowna, B.C.

Peter Schaefer LW 2005-2006, 2006-2007

Born in Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, Schaefer was drafted 66^th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks after a breakout season with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. Schaefer spent four seasons in Ottawa, wearing #15 for the first two. After being traded by the Sens, Peter spent two seasons with the Bruins and had the final year of his contract bought out in June, 2009. He did not play hockey in 2009-10 and spent his time training in hopes of returning to the NHL. He earned a tryout with the Canucks in 2010 and was signed to a two-way deal for the 2010-11 season. However, his contract was mutually terminated in November, 2010 and he finished the season with ERC Ingolstadt in the DEL. Schaefer is currently the assistant coach and president of the Surrey Eagles of the BC Hockey League.

Randy Robitaille C 2007-2008

Born in Ottawa in 1975, Robitaille was signed by the Boston Bruins after two successful seasons at Miami University. A veteran of 8 NHL teams when he signed with Ottawa in October, 2007; he spent one season with the Senators, his last in the NHL. Since 2008 he has played in Russia, Switzerland, and in the AHL. He currently plays for HC Donbass in the KHL.

Alex Kovalev RW 2009-2010, 2010-2011

Born in Togliatti, Russian SFSR in 1973, Kovalev was drafted 15^th overall by the New York Rangers -the first Russian player to be drafted in the first round. At age 8, he was diagnosed with a heart disorder and was under able to play hockey for two years. After winning gold with the Unified Team at the 1992 Winter Olympics, Kovalev won the Stanley Cup in 1994 with the Rangers (the first Russian to win the Cup, with fellow Russians Alexander Karpovtsev, Sergei Nemchinov, and Sergei Zubov). A big free agent signing for Ottawa, Kovalev signed with the Senators for $10 million over 2 years in July, 2009. His time in Ottawa ended on his 38^th birthday when he was traded to the Penguins for a 7^th round pick. Kovalev spent the 2011-12 season with Atlant Moscow Oblast in the KHL. After spending 2013 with the Florida Panthers, he signed with EHC Visp in the Swiss B League. Those who would question the licensed pilot's work ethic should check out his two-disc DVD My Hockey Tips and Training Methods released in 2008.

Best #27: Peter Schaefer

In an unimpressive field, Schaefer takes the title. Schaefer played four seasons in the capital but his two most productive years were wearing #27. He provided reliable secondary scoring for some dominant Sens teams.

Worst #27: Hank Lammens

There were a few candidates, but Lammens' unremarkable pro career is the deciding factor. Not to worry, he's still a world champion. Some may disagree with his selection, preferring instead Alex Kovalev. While Kovalev never played at a level that merited his salary, he was still a productive part of the offense despite a tense relationship with Cory Clouston. Kovalev's play in Ottawa was in keeping with the criticism he faced his entire career: an offensive player in his late 30s known for pure skill and questionable effort, he was at times an offensive force and at times invisible. But this was to be expected at that stage in his career.

Who wore it best?