"Rick Wamsley's 12-year National Hockey League playing career was a key factor in Bryan Murray's decision to hire him as the goalie coach of the Ottawa Senators, but so was Wamsley's relationship with Pascal Leclaire, considered the team's No. 1 goalie.

Wamsley, who was the Columbus Blue Jackets' goaltending coach for seven years, worked with Leclaire from 2001, when he was drafted by the Blue Jackets, through the 2005-06 season, after which Wamsley, now 51, left to become the goaltending coach for the St. Louis Blues.

"We wanted a guy with experience," Murray said. "We thought having a goaltender that played in the league and had a good career . . . was one of the things that led us to believe that Rick could do a good job here, and get the respect and the work ethic back that we really need in our goaltending.

"We certainly talked to Pascal, and Pascal endorsed him fully. He was very tough on Pascal coming out of junior, and (Leclaire) certainly indicated that to us."