Senators by the Numbers: #33

Jim Thompson RW 1992-1993

Born in Edmonton in 1965, Thomson was drafted 185^th overall by the Washington Capitals in 1984. Over the course of a decade, Thomson played in 115 NHL games with 7 different teams, wearing 7 different numbers in the process (37, 29, 18, 25, 17, 33, and 19). He also has the distinction of being claimed in three separate NHL Expansions Drafts: he was claimed by Minnesota from Los Angeles in the 1991 Expansion Draft; he was claimed by Ottawa from Los Angeles in 1992; and he was claimed by Anaheim from Los Angeles in 1993. Yes, he was left unprotected by the Kings once, only to be traded for by Los Angeles twice and was then left unprotected two subsequent times by the Kings! He spent just over two months with the Senators before being traded to the Kings with Marc Fortier for Shawn McCosh and Bob Kudelski in December, 1992. A fighter by trade in the big leagues, since retirement Thomson has coached minor league hockey. Thomson runs an organization called "Jim Thomson's Dreams Do Come True", offering his services as a motivational speaker and life coach. He also works as an ambassador and speaker for "Your Life Counts".

Tony Cimellaro C 1992-1993

Born in Kingston, Ontario in 1971, Cimellaro went undrafted out of junior hockey. He signed as a free agent with Ottawa in the summer of 1992, but played only two games in his NHL career. He spent the bulk of his professional career playing in Europe with teams in England, Denmark, Germany, and Italy. In 2003, he was named as an assistant coach of the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. Since 2010, he has been an assistant with the Golden Gaels of Queen's University.

Greg Pankiewicz RW 1993-1994

Born in Drayton Valley, Alberta in 1970, Pankewicz was undrafted, signing with the Senators in 1993. He played only 21 NHL games and spent the bulk of his 16 professional seasons in the minors. A prolific minor leaguer, Pankewicz scored over 500 professional goals during his career. His most successful stint was as a member of the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League, winning two championships with the club and having his number (89) retired by the team when he hung-up his skates for good in 2009. Since retiring, he has worked as an assistant coach with the Eagles, gaining notoriety after stripping half naked during a game against the Mississippi RiverKings. Disputing a call he threw his suit, shirt, and shoes on the ice before leaving the game.

Troy Murray C 1993-1994, 1994-1995

Born in Calgary in 1962, Murray was drafted 57^th overall by the Chicago Black Hawks in 1980. He had a successful college career at the University of North Dakota, winning the NCAA title in 1982 and representing Canada at the World Juniors. He was traded to Ottawa from Chicago along with Chicago's 11^th round pick (Antti Tormanen) in 1994 for Ottawa's 11^th round choice (Rob Mara) in 1994. A productive offensive player in the 1980s, he was also celebrated for his defensive abilities, winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1986. During his first season in Ottawa, Murray was the only Senator to finish the season with a plus rating. After winning his only Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, he retired from professional hockey in 1997. He currently works as a colour commentator on Blackhawks broadcasts.

Don Beaupre G 1995-1996

Born in Waterloo, Ontario in 1961, Beaupre was drafted 37^th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1980. The first Senators goalie to register a shutout, he was part of a significant 3-way trade between the Senators, Islanders and Leafs. Beaupre was traded to the Islanders with Martin Straka and Bryan Berard, for Damian Rhodes and Wade Redden on January 23, 1996. He was then sent by the Islanders to the Leafs with Kirk Muller, to complete the trade that sent Rhodes and Ken Belanger to the Islanders. He currently owns Beaupre Aerial Equipment.

Jason York D 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001

Born in Nepean, Ontario in 1970, York was drafted 129^th overall by the Detroit Red Wings. He was acquired by the Senators along with Shaun Van Allen in a trade with Anaheim in exchange for Ted Drury and Marc Moro in 1996. York had the best spell of his career in the nation's capital, establishing himself as a reliable defender over the course of five seasons. Since retirement from pro hockey in 2007, York has worked as a broadcaster: on radio with The Team 1200 and on Sportsnet as Ian Mendes' co-host.

Chris Herperger C 2001-2002

Born in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan in 1974, Herperger was drafted 223^rd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1992. He played for three teams during his NHL career, but had greater success playing in Germany and Switzerland. As a member of the Krefeld Thrashers, Kloten Flyers, and Hannover Scorpions, Herperger extended his pro career by a decade, retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 season.

Josh Langfeld LW/RW 2002-2003, 2003-2004

Born in Coon Rapids, Minnesota in 1977, Langfeld was drafted 66^th overall by Ottawa in 1997. He spent four seasons with the University of Michigan, scoring the game-winning goal against Boston College to secure the NCAA Championship for the Wolverines. After spending parts of six seasons in the NHL, he spent the final four seasons of his career playing in Europe, retiring in 2011.

Brad Norton D 2005-2006

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1975, Norton was drafted 215^th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1993. The younger brother of former NHLer Jeff Norton, he signed with the Senators on March 8, 2006 after triggering a release clause with Jokerit in Finland. His most memorable moment as a Senator came as a result of a non-fight with Canadiens tough guy Aaron Downey. After 40 seconds of raised fists without throwing a punch, the pair was escorted to the penalty box. Injury disrupted his 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons, his last in pro hockey.

Pascal Leclaire G 2009-2010, 2010-2011

Born in Repentigny, Quebec in 1982, Leclaire was selected 8^th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2001. A promising player, Leclaire had a breakout 2007-2008 campaign, finishing among the league leaders in shutouts, goals against average, and save percentage. However, an ankle injury the following season allowed rookie Steve Mason to steal the starter's job and win the Calder Trophy. Despite his injured ankle, the Senators traded for Leclaire and the Jackets 2^nd round pick (Robin Lehner) in 2009, in exchange for Antoine Vermette. Injuries and inconsistency would define his time in Ottawa. A broken cheek bone, concussion, and hip surgery limited his time between the pipes, and the poor showing in net from Leclaire and Elliott, led to Bryan Murray's acquisition of current saviour, Craig Anderson. Leclaire just sort of faded away during his final months with the Sens and was unable to find a suitor for the 2011-2012 season. He officially announced his retirement in November, 2012, prevented from returning to action because his right hip refused to heal after three surgeries. He currently works as a player agent for the Newport Sports Management team in Quebec.

Jakob Silfverberg RW 2011-2012, 2012-2013

Born in Gävle, Sweden in 1990, Silfverberg was drafted 39^th overall by the Senators in 2009. He opted to return to Sweden for the 2011-2012 season, winning the Guldhjälmen Award, as the MVP of the regular season, the Guldpucken award as player of the year, and finished second in league scoring. He was named MVP of the players, broke Daniel Alfredsson's playoff scoring record, and helped Brynäs win the Swedish championship. On the heels of his victory in Sweden, Silfverberg joined the Senators for their playoff push against the New York Rangers, making his NHL debut in the final two games of the series. A regular for the Sens during the 2012-2013 season, he was traded on July 5, 2013 with Stefan Noesen and a 1^st round pick for Bobby Ryan.

Best #33: Jason York

A steady, productive defenseman, York was the longest-serving Senator and that counts for something.

Worst #33: Pascal Leclaire

Except for an awesome performance against the Penguins in the 2010 playoffs, Leclaire was disappointing during his time in Ottawa. He was supposed to be the answer to all of the Senators goaltending questions and instead brought even greater doubt to the position.