Wade Redden Plays Game #1,000 Tonight – Better Late Than Never

Former Ottawa Senators defenseman Wade Redden will suit up for his 1,000th NHL game tonight when the Blues host the Red Wings.  It is a night that is coming a couple of years too late, but as they say, better late than never.

Jan 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Wade Redden (6) defends against the Dallas Stars attack during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Blues defeated the Stars 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Redden, who played 838 of those games in a Senators uniform, probably wondered if this day would ever come after he was banished to the AHL so the Rangers didn’t have to have his $6.5M  hit count on their salary cap. He stood at 994 NHL games played at the time of his demotion.

He spent two years in the minors, riding the buses with the Connecticut Whale, languishing in obscurity because Glen Sather gave him a contract he couldn’t possibly live up to.

Thanks to the new CBA and a special agreement for amnesty buyouts, Redden got his chance to return to the NHL, and he did so with the St. Louis Blues after being bought out of the final two years of his contract by the Rangers.

Tonight, Redden suits up for his 6th game of the season, and the 1,000th game of his career.   He also played in 94 playoff games for Ottawa, scoring 12 goals and 33 assists.

He has ranged from hero to goat, all-star to no-star.  He had over 100 goals and 400 points as a Senator, and I, for one will be cheering and applauding him in his 1,00th game.
Congratulations, Wade.