Friends trek from downtown Ottawa to Senators game for a good cause

A group of die-hard Sens fans are walking six hours to the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, all for a good cause. CTV’s Joshua Marano reports.

A group of friends are embarking on journey, walking from downtown to the Canadian Tire Centre for the Ottawa Senators game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday afternoon.

Led by Adam Coplan, a self-proclaimed die-hard Sens fan, the adventure started in 2024 when he and a few friends set out to prove that a bus or a car aren’t the only ways to make it to the arena.

“We’re all Sens fans, how fun would it be if we just walk to the CTC?” Coplan said.

“Does anyone do this? What an insane thing to do, this would be so fun and we kind of really jumped on that idea.”

Their 2024 journey began at Lansdowne, where the group would regularly meet up to watch games on TV. This year, they chose LeBreton Flats, the potential future home of the team.

“There’s a little bit of symbolism, this is probably where the rink should be, ideally just in this downtown spot,” Coplan said. “It shouldn’t really be a feat to say you walked to your hometown arena, but that’s kind of what we’re doing right now.”

Coplan and his friends started going on walks during the peak COVID-19 years and continued this practice, making each journey longer and longer.

“Even when the restrictions lifted, we found ourselves still doing this. We kind of challenge ourselves to go further and further every time, ‘up and down the canal’ or ‘let’s go 10 kilometres.‘”

While the walk is fun for the group, it’s also for a good cause.

The group is raising money along the way for Tkachuk’s Captains to support BGC Ottawa (formerly the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa).

With help from the Senators Community Foundation, the group raised $6,500 before they started their walk at 9 a.m.

“First year we did it we raised $1,200. We’re already far past that,” Coplan said.

Before puck drop, the group will have the chance to meet Senators captain Brady Tkachuk after their six hour trek through Ottawa.

Those looking to donate can visit the link on Coplan’s X account or follow along on their journey.