Senators by the Numbers: #2

Today's entry is devoted to the #2. 2 is traditionally a number worn by defenseman and that's been the case for the players who have worn the number while in Sens colours: 13 blueliners have worn the #2 in Ottawa's 20-year history.

While many Sens fans are hoping Jared Cowen continues to develop into an elite shutdown defenseman, he's played 1 season for the Sens and the 12 other defensemen on the list provide some competition for Cowen as Ottawa's best #2.

Jim Kyte D 1992-1993

Known as a physical defensive player throughout his career, Kyte was the first legally deaf player in the NHL. A former first-round pick of the original Winnipeg Jets, the Ottawa-native played only 4 games for his hometown team.

Radek Hamr D 1992-1993

Drafted 73^rd overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, Hamr wore #2 in his first season with the team. Hamr spent just 11 games total in a Sens uniform before continuing his career in Europe. Hamr also played two seasons in the RHI (Roller Hockey International) where he scored a combined 40 goals and 147 points in 52 games for the Oklahoma Coyotes and San Jose Rhinos.

Kerry Huffman D 1993-1994

Huffman was a veteran NHLer when he joined the Senators and wore the #2 jersey for a short while before switching to #5. Huffman was part of the package the Quebec Nordiques received from the Philadelphia Flyers in the infamous Eric Lindros trade in 1992.

Kevin MacDonald D 1993-1994

MacDonald is part of a fraternity of players who have only suited up once for an NHL team. MacDonald is also part of a smaller fraternity of players who have only suited up for one game in the RHI - Kevin played one game for the Ottawa Loggers in 1996. MacDonald spent the bulk of his career in the minors (IHL, AHL, and ECHL).

Jim Paek D 1994-1995

Paek was both the first Korean-born player to play in the NHL and the first Korean-born player to win the Stanley Cup (twice with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992). Paek's stop in Ottawa would be his last in the NHL and he would spend the next decade playing in the IHL, WCHL, and even the British Ice Hockey Superleague.

Lance Pitlick D 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999

While Pitlick played 15 games for the Senators in 1994-1995, he did not wear #2 until 1995-1996, a number he wore for the rest of his time in Ottawa.

Bobby Dollas D 1999-2000

Dollas played 16 seasons in the NHL for 9 different teams. Dollas' time in Ottawa was brief: signed as a free agent on November 9, 1999 by the Sens, he played one game for Ottawa before being put on waivers and claimed by the Calgary Flames 2 days later.

Grant Ledyard D 1999-2000

Another NHL journeyman, Ledyard played for 9 organizations (with repeat visits to Dallas and Tampa), and wore 9 different numbers during his career.

Curtis Leschyshyn D 2000-2001, 2001-2002

Leschyshyn played 16 seasons in the NHL for 6 different squads, but spent 9 years with the Quebec/Colorado franchise. Leschyshyn wore the #2 when he joined the Sens midway through the 2000-2001 campaign and at the beginning of the following season before changing to his customary #7.

Brian Pothier D 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2005-2006

Acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers for Shawn McEachern and Ottawa's 6^th round draft choice in 2002, Pothier's services were not retained by the club in 2006 and he signed with the Washington Capitals.

Lawrence Nycholat D 2006-2007

Nycholat was acquired from the Washington Capitals for Andy Hedlund and Ottawa's 6^th round draft pick in 2007 just before the trade deadline in 2007. Nycholat's first season in Ottawa was spent wearing the #2.

Luke Richardson D 2007-2008, 2008-2009

Drafted 7^th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Luke was on the receiving end of a notorious on-ice attack from Dino Ciccarelli, who hit him several times over the head with his stick. Convicted of assault, the future Hall of Famer spent 1 day in jail and paid a $1000 fine. Richardson played in over 1,400 games in his 21-year career and played for 5 teams before joining the Sens to finish his playing career.

Jared Cowen D 2011-2012

Ottawa's young, hulking blueliner is the current #2. Drafted 9^th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Cowen developed gradually in the WHL and AHL before making Ottawa's roster in 2011-12.

Best #2: Brian Pothier

This was a close one. While I think Jared Cowen will make this question moot in the future, right now he's only played one full season with the team. Leschyshyn spent more time wearing #7 for the Sens and Pitlick was reliable and had greater longevity, but Pothier was quietly productive.

Worst #2: Bobby Dollas

While there were a number of candidates, Dollas' 2-day tenure with the team set him apart from others on this list.

Who's Ottawa's best #2?