Most hockey photos of Johnny Oduya show him with a thick black beard that could rival any in the NHL, at least this side of San Jose.
But when he reports to the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday morning for training camp physicals, the 35-year old defenceman will be clean-shaven and sporting a look of determination.
Oduya, signed by the Senators over the summer to bolster a blue line that lost veteran Marc Methot, is determined to wear that playoff face again. He’s also determined to prove last season was an aberration.
“It was a tough year for me,” Oduya said after skating at the Bell Sensplex on Wednesday with other Senators veterans.