Senators by the Numbers: #43

Serge Payer C 2003-2004, 2006-2007

Born in Rockland, Ontario in 1979, Payer was undrafted after spending five seasons with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. While in junior hockey, his career was threatened when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. After 10 months, he returned to the Kitchener lineup. He signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers in 1997. He made his NHL debut in 2000 and scored his first (and only) NHL goal against the Sens in Ottawa. Payer had two stints with Ottawa and wore 43 both times. His last season in Ottawa was his last in the NHL; he signed as a free agent with the Wild in August 2007, but was unable to make the team during training camp. He played two seasons for the Krefeld Pinguine in Germany before retiring. He established the Serge Payer Foundation to raise funds and awareness for Guillain-Barré syndrome and works as a player agent and advisor for Unlimited Sports Management.

Peter Regin C 2008-2009, 2009-2010

Born in Herning, Demark in 1986, Regin was drafted 87^th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2004. From 2005 until 2008, he played in the Swedish Elite League for Timra IK. In 2008, he was assigned to the Binghamton Senators, recording 47 points in 56 games. Regin wore #43 during his first two seasons with Ottawa and had some of his most productive play for the team while wearing the number. As a 23-year-old in the 2010 playoffs, he impressed many Sens fans, recording 4 points in 6 games. He switched to #13 for the 2010-2011 season, but didn’t have much luck with the number. A combination of shoulder injuries and lack of offense led to three disappointing campaigns. In July, Regin signed a one-year deal with the New York Islanders.

Roman Wick R 2010-2011

Born in Zuzwil, Switzerland in 1985, Wick was drafted 156^th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2004. Wick played for Red Deer Rebels and the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL for three seasons before returning to Switzerland to play with the Kloten Flyers from 2006-2010. Wick made some noise at the 2010 Olympics, scoring 2 goals for 5 points in 5 games for Switzerland. He joined Binghamton in 2010-2011 for his only season of pro hockey in North America. In 70 games with the B-Sens, he managed 42 points (20G-22A-42P). He made his NHL debut that same year, before returning to Switzerland the following season. He currently plays for the ZSC Lions.

Best #43: Peter Regin

Regin first full season in the NHL (2009-2010) led many in the organization to believe he would have a productive career with the Sens. While it didn’t go as planned when he switched numbers, as #43 Regin was a productive third-liner and playoff performer.

Worst #43: Roman Wick

Wick is almost a point-per-game player in Europe and has had a fine professional career. However, he didn’t do much in his NHL run with the Sens which was made worse by the (possibly unfair) expectations generated by his play at the Vancouver Olympics the season before.

Who wore it best?