In a festive tradition beloved by Ottawa hockey fans, veteran journalist Bruce Garrioch has released his 2025 rendition of a classic holiday poem, starring the Ottawa Senators. Published on December 23, 2025, the creative piece offers a whimsical snapshot of the team's season and its key personalities, all set to the familiar rhythm of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."
A Senators-Centric Holiday Tale
The poem opens at the home of captain Brady Tkachuk, where a peaceful Christmas Eve is underway, with even his brother Matthew quietly editing an episode of "The Wingmen" podcast. The scene quickly shifts to the Canadian Tire Centre, where stockings are hung with care, embodying the collective hope for a second consecutive playoff berth for the squad.
Garrioch weaves in the team's management and coaching staff, with general manager Steve Staios dreaming of blockbuster trades and owner Michael Andlauer and coach Travis Green settling in for a pre-game rest. The tranquility is soon interrupted by a commotion in the parking lot, prompting Tkachuk and the notably tough Kurtis MacDermid to investigate, ready for action.
The Festive Roster Arrives
To their surprise, they don't find trouble but a magical sleigh led by eight familiar players. Garrioch's verse calls out to the core of the Senators' lineup: Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson, Tim Stützle, and Shane Pinto. The forward group is represented by Claude Giroux, David Perron, and Drake Batherson, while star goaltender Linus Ullmark rounds out the festive crew.
They are accompanied, of course, by Santa Claus himself, whose cheerful appearance—with cheeks like roses and a nose compared to longtime rival Corey Perry—disarms the initially wary Tkachuk and MacDermid. The jolly elf sets to work delivering gifts to the deserving players, careful to avoid any claims of being a "jerk."
More Than Just a Poem
This annual creative exercise by Garrioch serves as a lighthearted, cultural touchstone for the Senators community. It references current team dynamics, player personalities, and the ever-present fan optimism. The publication of the poem was accompanied by a promotional photo from a game on December 18, 2025, showing Tkachuk celebrating a power-play goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
While purely for entertainment, the poem subtly underscores the main narrative surrounding the 2025 Senators: a team with solidified star power, strategic leadership from Staios and Andlauer, and the singular goal of building on previous success to secure a lasting spot in the postseason. It captures a moment in time for the franchise, blending holiday cheer with the unwavering passion of Ottawa's hockey faithful.
