Gabrielle Union theme by Ennis
Download: GabrielleUnion.p3t
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Gabrielle Union | |
|---|---|
 Union in 2018 | |
| Born | Gabrielle Monique Union October 29, 1972 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (BS) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Saweetie (cousin)[1] |
Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade (née Union; born October 29, 1972)[2] is an American actress. Her career began in the 1990s, when she made dozens of appearances on television sitcoms, prior to landing supporting roles in 1999 teen films She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You. She rose to greater prominence the following year, after she landed her breakthrough role in the teen film Bring It On.
Union is known for her performances in the romantic comedy films The Brothers (2001), Deliver Us from Eva (2003), Daddy's Little Girls (2007), Think Like a Man (2012) and Think Like a Man Too (2014). She also had starring roles in the CBS medical drama series City of Angels (2000) and in the films Bad Boys II (2003), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), Neo Ned (2005), Cadillac Records (2008), Top Five (2014), Breaking In (2018), and The Perfect Find (2023). She has also co-starred in the films The Birth of a Nation (2016), Almost Christmas (2016) and Sleepless (2017).
Union starred as the lead characters in BET drama series Being Mary Jane (2013–2019), for which she has received an NAACP Image Award, and in the crime series L.A.'s Finest (2019–2020). Outside of acting, Union has written four books: two memoirs, titled We're Going to Need More Wine (2017) and You Got Anything Stronger? (2021), and two children's books, titled Welcome to the Party (2020) and Shady Baby (2021).
She has also been an outspoken advocate for issues involving women's health, LGBTQ+ equality, and violence against women, and was awarded the President's Award from the NAACP Image Awards, alongside her husband Dwyane Wade for their humanitarian efforts.[3] Union was included on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.[4]
Early life[edit]
Union was born on October 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Theresa (née Glass), a phone company manager and social worker, and Sylvester E. Union, a military sergeant.[5][6] She was raised Catholic.[7] During her childhood, she was taught to be "an independent woman, standing on my own two feet, and that's the road I opted to take."[8] According to Union, her mother taught her to have a "world perspective" and took her to a gay pride parade at the age of eight after the family moved to Pleasanton, California.[9] She attended Foothill High School[10] where she was a year-round student athlete, competing in Varsity soccer, track, and basketball.[11] Union dated fellow student Jason Kidd during her junior year.[12]
Union's parents divorced after 30 years of marriage. She said, "They handled their divorce and our subsequent transition into a blended family with grace, dignity and respect. They always put us first and didn't involve us. I'm lucky that I can just mirror what my parents did and always put the kids first. They're pretty awesome. I'm lucky."[13]
Union grew up with self-esteem issues relating to colorism, as one of the few African-American children in her environment.[14] When Union was younger, she believed that "blonde was the ideal of beauty, and if I looked nothing like that, then I must be ugly."[15] On her college football memories, Union reflected, "In my family if you couldn't talk Cornhusker football—that means knowing the Blackshirt defense, knowing the I-back formation—then you don't get to have an opinion. When I first toured the Nebraska campus and I saw Turner Gill walk, I freaked out. That was like the biggest star-struck moment I've probably ever had in my life. But it's because I grew up in a household that always talked specifically Cornhusker football and Big 8 sports at the time."[16]
During the summer before starting her sophomore year of college at UCLA, at the age of 19, Union was attacked and raped at gunpoint at her part-time job at a Payless shoe store by a robber.[17] Union has stated that she would not have survived the attack had it not been for lessons she learned by watching Oprah Winfrey's talk show.[18] She later successfully sued Payless for negligence, alleging that the store failed to warn employees about the assailant, who had been positively identified robbing another Payless location prior to when he raped her.[19]
Union has a bachelor's degree in sociology from UCLA.[20][21]
Career[edit]
Early roles[edit]
Union started her acting career with minor roles. Her first audition was for Saved by the Bell.[22] In 1997, Union appeared in the sixth-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine—"Sons and Daughters" as the Klingon N'Garen. She also appeared in Moesha as Ashli, Sister, Sister as Vanessa, in Smart Guy as Denise, and in five episodes of 7th Heaven as Keesha Hamilton. She also appeared on an episode of Friends, "The One with the Cheap Wedding Dress", as Kristen, a love interest to both Ross and Joey. Other earlier roles included teen movies such as She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You.[22]
2000–2009[edit]
Union appeared in the 2000 film Love & Basketball. She then played the role of Isis in the cheerleading movie Bring It On, which helped push Union into the mainstream.[23] Bring It On led to Union being cast in the CBS television drama City of Angels as Dr. Courtney Ellis. In 2001, Union was featured in The Brothers and was seen as having a "beguiling sincerity, even when she's fudging the truth."[24] Union was cast in her first leading role in the 2003 film Deliver Us from Eva. When casting Eva, director Gary Hardwick was looking for an actress capable of instantly changing "from funny to caustic and dramatic." Hardwick had previously worked with Union in The Brothers and believed she was perfect for the role of Eva.[25] Union's role in the film was met with praise, with Dustin Putman of All-Reviews.com writing that she was "the star attraction, and the number-one reason to even consider seeing the film."[26] Union drew influence from her father for the "stern" look she had in the film, admitting that she had stolen it from him.[25]
In 2003, Union landed the role of the main character Mike Lowrey's girlfriend, Syd, in the film Bad Boys II, a box-office success grossing more than $273 million worldwide. Union felt that she had been "blessed" with her role in the film, feeling it elevated her career.[27] That same year, she lent her voice to the animated television series The Proud Family. The following year, she appeared in Something the Lord Made. Union also starred in the 2004 film Breakin' All the Rules, which was unpopular with critics.[28][29] She appeared in the 2005 film Neo Ned, portraying an African-American woman with delusions that she is Adolf Hitler. She and co-star Jeremy Renner were noted by Mark Olsen of the Los Angeles Times as having "a strange, offbeat chemistry that drives the film".[30] She won an award for Best Actress in Neo Ned at the Palm Beach International Film Festival, and the film received awards at several festivals.
She starred in the 2005 remake of The Honeymooners.[31] That year, Union also starred in the short-lived ABC series Night Stalker. She called the series a "reworking" rather than a remake. Union admitted that at the time of getting the script she was turned off, but she became interested after reading the script at her agent's insistence. She then met with series creator Frank Spotnitz and executive producer Daniel Sackheim, who told her they thought of her anytime they thought of the character.[32] In 2006, she starred in the music video for Busta Rhymes' "I Love My Bitch".[33]
Union starred in the 2007 film Daddy's Little Girls by Tyler Perry. The role in which she played Julia Rossmore, a romantically challenged attorney, was written with her in mind.[34] Before working with Perry, she went to see his stage show to both understand him and his audience.[35] She filmed Daddy's Little Girls in mid-2006 in Atlanta, Georgia.[36] Union was praised for her character's portrayal and for having a "great sense of comedic timing".[37] Union's character also drew comparisons to Eva, her role in Deliver Us from Eva. According to Union, Perry had specifically approached her over not turning the role into the same character.[38] Union starred with Morris Chestnut in the 2007 Christmas film The Perfect Holiday. Since she had no children of her own, Union drew on her familiarity with her mother and sister to portray the divorced single mother of three in the film.[39] Union initially turned down the role, as she did not want to get typecast for playing a mother until she was told of other actresses that had played similar roles and still found success in their careers.[9]
In an interview with Art Nouveau Magazine, Union complained about the lack of roles for Black actresses and actors in Hollywood: "There used to be [roles] specifically written black, if you knew Denzel was doing a movie you knew his wife, girl or love interest was going to be black [but] that's not necessarily the case anymore. You're in that room with every amazingly talented actress of every hue, and it's a dogfight, it's hard."[40] Moreover, although she often plays weak, insecure characters, Union believes that "Hollywood needs to recognize all shades of African-American beauty."[41]
In 2008, Union appeared on Ugly Betty for three episodes as Renee, Wilhelmina Slater's sister and Daniel Meade's love interest.[42] She also made a cameo appearance in the music video for Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent".[43] Union appeared in the 2008 film Cadillac Records.[44][45][46] She portrayed Geneva Wade, who later married Muddy Waters.[47] Union, who was reported to have signed on to the film in March 2008, was seen as a "pleasant surprise" in the film, and her performance was said to have shown she had larger acting range than her previous roles.[48] Union later called taking the role of Geneva Wade in the film the best business decision she had ever made.[49] Union appeared in the 2008 film Meet Dave, playing the love interest of the title character. Union said the film was a gift.[50] That same year, she wrote the foreword for Hill Harper's Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE your Destiny.[51] Union joined the cast of the U.S. television series Life on NBC and appeared in four episodes prior to its cancellation in May 2009.[52] She appeared in the ABC series FlashForward, a role for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2010.[citation needed]
2010s[edit]
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After she was reported to be joining the cast in June 2010, Union appeared in episodes of Army Wives and NTSF:SD:SUV:: in 2010 and 2011.[53] Union was reported in May 2011 to have landed roles in Think Like a Man, a romantic comedy based on Steve Harvey's book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, and an indie film, Family Tree.[54] In June 2011, Union defended the music video for the Rihanna single "Man Down" after it sparked controversy for its depiction of a rape victim shooting and killing her attacker. Union related that every rape victim was "unique", which extended to how they believed justice should be carried out.[55]
In January 2012, Union was announced to be a participant in Bounce TV's documentary Our History.[56] In 2012, she played Natalie in the romantic comedy Good Deeds, playing the fiancée of the Wesley Deeds character.[57] Union said that after she read the script, she became interested in working with Tyler Perry again and enjoyed working with the cast.[58] She then appeared in Steve Harvey's film Think Like a Man. Union related to her character for having married and divorced young.[59] She and Meagan Good were seen as having taken advantage of their "straightforward characters to add spots of comic zest as well."[60] Her next appearance was In Our Nature. The film was the directorial debut of Brian Savelson. Savelson had offered Union the role two years prior to the film's release in 2010.[61] Union saw In Our Nature as a personal victory for her career.[62]
In 2013, she began starring in the BET network show Being Mary Jane.[63] Union learned of the series while auditioning for Scandal for the role of Olivia Pope, which ultimately went to Kerry Washington.[64] Union has said that she is content with having lost the role in Scandal to Washington: "I didn't get Scandal, but I got something better, which is my own show."[65] Union was impressed with the show's quality and professionalism.[66] Also in 2013, Union starred in Ava DuVernay's short film The Door as part of Miu Miu's Women's Tales campaign.[67]
Union reprised her role as Kristen in Think Like a Man Too in 2014, but it received mostly negative reviews.[68] She believed the film would do well[69] and faced comparisons to her character, who was a newlywed while Union was engaged at the time, a similarity she dispelled by insisting she kept her relationship "enjoyable, fresh and exciting".[70] Union was announced in July 2014 as a producer in the Lifetime film With This Ring.[71][72] She was featured in Chris Rock's Top Five, playing the fiancée of Rock's character. Union viewed her Top Five character as being similar to members of the Kardashian family or the Braxton sisters.[73] In November 2015, Union began voicing Nala in the Disney movie and series The Lion Guard.[74] In October 2016, Union was featured in The Birth of a Nation as Esther, a slave in the Antebellum South who is raped by a white man.[75] Union stated in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times that she took the role due to her relating to it as a rape victim herself.[76] Later that year, Union had a prominent role as Rachel Meyers in the comedy film Almost Christmas, released in November. Ariel Scotti of The New York Times panned Union's performance: "Each overused phrase that falls out of her character, Rachel's, vindictive, childish mouth takes viewers further out of the movie experience."[77]
In 2017, Union launched Flawless by Gabrielle Union, a line of hair-care products that catered to people with textured hair.[78][79] In September 2017, Union announced a collaborative partnership with Invicta Watch Group that included a line of watches she designed.[80]
In 2019, Union began starring as Syd Burnett in the Bad Boys spin-off L.A.'s Finest, a Charter Spectrum original series that premiered May 13 [81] and was later renewed for a second season.[82] Union was also a judge for the fourteenth season of America's Got Talent. In November 2019, the show failed to renew her contract for another season, allegedly because she spoke out against racism. Union's fellow America's Got Talent judge Julianne Hough's contract was also not renewed.[83] In May 2020, Union filed a discrimination suit against the producers of America's Got Talent, citing racism and prejudice.[84]
2020s[edit]
On Disney Investor Day, December 11, 2020, it was announced that Union would be starring with Zach Braff in a remake of Cheaper by the Dozen,[85] which was released in March 2022.[86] In December 2021, she played Tootie Ramsey in The Facts of Life segment of the third edition of Live in Front of a Studio Audience, recreating the episode "Kids Can Be Cruel".[87]
In March 2022, she was cast as the lead for the third season of Truth Be Told on Apple TV+.[88]
She returned to The Proud Family on its sequel series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder in a second-season episode airing in early 2023.[89]
Books[edit]
In April 2017, Union announced her first book, a memoir titled We're Going to Need More Wine. The book "feature[s] personal stories and reflections on a range of topics that continue to define the contemporary landscape: sexuality, womanhood, friendship, race, marriage, and beauty."[90] Union described the book as "the good, the bad, and the WTF."[91] Released on October 17, 2017, the book was published by Dey Street Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.[92] In December 2017, it was named a "Best Book of the Year by a Black Author" by The Root magazine.[93]
In May 2020, Union released her first children's book, Welcome to the Party, an ode to newborns and non-traditional families that was inspired by her daughter.[94] She collaborated with her husband Dwyane Wade on a second children's book, Shady Baby, published on May 18, 2021.[95] She released a second memoir, You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories on September 14, 2021.[96]
Other commercial projects[edit]
Union became a spokeswoman for Neutrogena in 2004. In 2010, she launched Love & Blessings, a clothing line for plus-sized women,[97] which was inspired by her full-figured sister.[98] In March 2014, Union released her first wine, Vanilla Puddin'.[99] That November, she became the first celebrity ambassador and creative advisor for the nail polish company SensatioNail.
In 2020, Union relaunched her haircare brand, Flawless, for women with textured hair. The collection is affordably priced and “empowers consumers to customize a regimen specific to their texture and style preference.”[100] That same year, she joined Bitsy's as a cofounder with “the goal of making allergen-friendly, school-safe snacks that are accessible and affordable for all families regardless of their socioeconomic or geographic status.”[100]
Union and her daughter Kaavia are a part of the ownership group of Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League.[101]
Activism[edit]
Union is an advocate for survivors of assault[102] and has voiced her support for Jada, a Texas teenager who was sexually assaulted while passed out during a party. The assault, which was filmed and posted online, was mocked by others on social networking websites.[103][104][105]
Union has also spoken about the importance of therapy, and how she herself was able to quickly find therapy with the help of family members and co-workers.[106]
Union addressed the killing of Trayvon Martin, stating that "when you have influence, I think it's the responsible thing to do, to speak out on an issue when you see injustice. I'm still fighting for Trayvon [...] we all should."[59] In the months following Martin's death, Union supported a petition that called for Florida District Attorney Norman Wolfinger to bring charges against George Zimmerman.[107] After Zimmerman was acquitted of charges in Martin's death in July 2013, Union remarked, "Apparently walking while black is a crime punishable by death."[108]
Union rebuked Todd Akin's position on abortion, which he defended saying that a woman would not be able to get pregnant in the case of "legitimate rape."[109]
When Tanganyika Williams, the aunt of NBA player Matt Barnes, was murdered on July 8, 2014, Union posted calls on both Instagram and Twitter for anyone with information on Tanganyika's killer to report it to authorities.[110]
Oprah Winfrey said she was inspired by Union's "Fierce and Fearless Award" acceptance speech, in which Union admitted she once reveled "in gossip and rumors," because Winfrey "never heard anyone be that honest in public or private about the competition and fierce drive to be seen and succeed in Hollywood."[111]
In February 2012, Union was identified as a suspicious person by airport security and subjected to a "hair patdown."[112] She tweeted a joke about the experience: "Hopefully my weave doesn't cause turbulence. It's clearly very powerful."[113]
Union ran in the Global Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 2, 2012, in honor of her friend Kristen Martinez, who died from breast cancer.[114] Union was present at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., on August 23, 2013, and unveiled a limited-edition 1963 March on Washington stamp to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the march.[115]
Union is an Ambassador in Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Circle of Promise.[116] Union became a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood's breast health initiative and launched the Women Are Watching campaign with other actresses in 2012. In October 2014, it was announced that Union would be designing T-shirts to bring attention to the Women Are Watching campaign.[117]
In 2020, Union collaborated with JusticeLA to create a public service announcement #SuingToSaveLives about the health of people in L.A. County jails amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[118][119]
Politics[edit]
In 2008, Union supported Barack Obama in his presidential campaign.[120][121] After working on the unsuccessful pilot for Army Wives, Union was appointed by President Obama to work with the National Advisory Committee for Violence Against Women.[122] Obama contacted her specifically after learning that the pilot had fallen through.[123] Union participated in the Obama campaign's "Greater Together" initiative[124] as part of his re-election campaign in 2012.[125] In August 2012, Union called on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to release his tax returns and birth certificate, noting his father, George W. Romney, had released his own tax returns while a presidential candidate.[126]
In November 2014, the office of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced a campaign titled "Take a Stand" and its commission of a short film featuring Union and Tika Sumpter.[127] Union was named in the 2020 Time 100 list of most influential people.[128] In the lead up to the 2020 presidential election, the actress encouraged Facebook users to make sure they had everything they needed to make their vote count by seeking out
Blue Letter
Blue Letter theme by Dan
Download: BlueLetter.p3t
(1 background)
| "Blue Letter" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Fleetwood Mac | |
| from the album Fleetwood Mac | |
| A-side | "Warm Ways" |
| Released | 1975 |
| Recorded | 1975 |
| Genre | Rock |
| Label | Warner Bros. |
| Songwriter(s) | Richard Curtis, Michael Curtis |
| Producer(s) | Fleetwood Mac, Keith Olsen |
"Blue Letter" is a song written by brothers Richard and Michael Curtis, first released by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac on their eponymous 1975 album, Fleetwood Mac. It was the only song on the album not written by a band member.[1] A remixed version of "Blue Letter" was included on the B-side of "Warm Ways".
Background[edit]
Brothers Michael and Richard Curtis met the young couple Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, then known as rock duo Buckingham Nicks and unaffiliated with Fleetwood Mac, through Polydor Records. The group of four became fast friends and worked together on two demos. The first was “Blue Letter”, which, like many of the songs on the Fleetwood Mac album, was intended for the second Buckingham Nicks LP. Unlike “Blue Letter”, the second demo titled “Seven League Boots” was not adopted by the group and was later reworked to become Crosby, Stills, and Nash’s 1982 hit, “Southern Cross”.[2]
According to drummer Mick Fleetwood’s autobiography, Play On, the decision to record “Blue Letter” was made towards the end of the Fleetwood Mac album sessions. While Fleetwood Mac was recording their eponymous album at Sound City with producer Keith Olsen, they overheard Michael and Richard Curtis rehearsing the song in another room. Pleased with what they heard, the band decided to record the song to include on Fleetwood Mac. It was one of two last-minute additions, along with “World Turning”.[3]
The Buckingham Nicks studio recordings of this song have yet to surface, but live recordings of Buckingham Nicks performing in January 1975 include an early version of the track.
Legacy[edit]
The song inspired the name of a set of Fleetwood Mac related archives, called "The Blue Letter Archives", self-described as the site for “over 750 articles published about the band, reviews of their albums, and information regarding their solo careers”.[4]
Personnel[edit]
- Lindsey Buckingham – guitars, lead vocals
- Stevie Nicks – backing vocals
- Christine McVie – organ
- John McVie – bass guitar
- Mick Fleetwood – drums, tambourine
References[edit]
- ^ "Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ Weingarten, Christopher; et al. (2 May 2022). "Fleetwood Mac's 50 Greatest Songs". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Fleetwood, Mick (2014). Play On: Now, Then, and Fleetwood Mac: The Autobiography. Little, Brown. p. 170. ISBN 978-0316403405.
- ^ "News and Archives". fleetwoodmac.net. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 #3
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 theme by Jack Revill
Download: PES2008_3.p3t
(1 background)
| Pro Evolution Soccer 2008[2] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Konami |
| Publisher(s) | Konami |
| Series | Pro Evolution Soccer |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | Nintendo DS PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 Windows PlayStation Portable Wii Mobile
|
| Genre(s) | Sports game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008[2] (PES 2008), known as World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2008 in Asia and sometimes called World Soccer: Winning Eleven 11 (PS2) in North America, is an association football video game in the Pro Evolution Soccer series by Konami. The game was announced on 18 June 2007. Its title is different from the other Pro Evolution Soccer games in that it is of a year and not a version; this was due to EA Sports' FIFA series naming their titles with two digit numbers (i.e. 07, 08), which would seem that PES was a year behind FIFA (to non-fans which had no knowledge of the previous games of the franchise). It was released for Windows, Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360 And mobile. The game sold 6.37 million units worldwide. PES 2008 was succeeded by Pro Evolution Soccer 2009. This was the first game of the series to be released for the PS3 and Wii, as well as the first game in the series to be internationally available on a Nintendo home console.
Wii version[edit]
The Nintendo Wii version of PES 2008 (named Winning Eleven Play Maker 2008 in Japan) differs radically from the other versions. The basic gameplay is centered around pointing the Wii Remote at the screen and directing players by dragging them with the on-screen cursor, and passing is done by simply pointing to the desired space or player and pressing a button. This allows for a more tactical approach to the game, as there is almost complete freedom in moving any player on the screen anywhere, and much more tactics and maneuvers can be used in the attacking game than ever before.
This version omits the Master League mode for the Champions Road, which lets the player tour a slew of different leagues around Europe, and when a games is won, it is possible to acquire players from the defeated teams. Also, it features an online mode that Konami called "the best online experience" when compared to the other versions.[3]
Teams[edit]
Unlicensed leagues[edit]
The leagues below are partially unlicensed, and some teams from these leagues are unlicensed:
Licensed leagues[edit]
The leagues below are fully licensed, and all teams from these leagues are licensed:
Generic Teams[edit]
There is also a separate league with 18 generic teams (Team A, Team B etc.), which can be edited fully, like in the previous game. This is thought to be due to the fact that Konami failed to get the rights to the German Bundesliga, and is usually made into the Bundesliga or another league of one's preference by patch makers. However, most people use this to put their edited players into playable teams from the start instead of having to play through Master League to purchase them or alternatively edit the existing non-generic teams. This feature does not appear in the Wii version of the game.
Covers[edit]
Portugal and (at the time) Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo is included on all PES 2008 covers, along with Newcastle United striker Michael Owen in the UK, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in Italy, West Ham United defender Lucas Neill in Australia, and Chelsea F.C. striker Didier Drogba in France.[4] Also in Japanese version, the cover art only Cristiano Ronaldo himself.
Commentators[edit]
Jon Champion and Mark Lawrenson provide the English commentary for the first time, replacing long-time commentary team Peter Brackley and Trevor Brooking, who commentated from Pro Evolution Soccers 2 to 6.[5] Also in the Japanese version, Jon Kabira and Tsuyoshi Kitazawa continue as commentators among Masahiro Fukuda and the pitch reporter was Florent Dabadie.
Reception[edit]
| Aggregator | Score | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DS | PC | PS2 | PS3 | PSP | Wii | Xbox 360 | |
| GameRankings | 58.57%[42] | 78.50%[43] | 82.58%[44] | 73.46%[45] | 79.74%[46] | 83.60%[48] | 75.53%[47] |
| Metacritic | 58/100[49] | N/A | 82/100[50] | 74/100[51] | 80/100[52] | 83/100[54] | 76/100[53] |
| Publication | Score | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DS | PC | PS2 | PS3 | PSP | Wii | Xbox 360 | |
| 1Up.com | N/A | N/A | N/A | C+[6] | N/A | B[7] | N/A |
| Eurogamer | 6/10[8] | N/A | N/A | 8/10[9] | 7/10[10] | 8/10[11] | N/A |
| Game Informer | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7.75/10[12] | N/A | 8/10[13] | 7.75/10[12] |
| GameSpot | 6/10[14] | 7/10[15] | 7.5/10[16] | 6/10[17] | 7/10[18] | 8/10[20] | 7/10[19] |
| GameSpy | N/A | N/A |   [21] | [22] |  [23] | N/A | [24] |
| IGN | (US) 5.5/10[25] (UK) 4.7/10[26] | N/A | 8.4/10[27] | (UK) 9.2/10[28] (US) 8.6/10[29] | (UK) 8.9/10[30] (US) 8.3/10[31] | (UK) 8.9/10[34] (US) 8.6/10[35] | (UK) 9.2/10[32] 8.6/10[33][29] |
| Official Nintendo Magazine | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 90%[36] | N/A |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4.5/10[37] |
| PC Gamer (UK) | N/A | 86%[38] | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| PC PowerPlay | N/A | 6/10[55] | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| PlayStation: The Official Magazine | N/A | N/A | N/A | [39] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Digital Spy | N/A | N/A | N/A | [40] | N/A | [41] | N/A |
The game sold 6.37 million units worldwide in 2007. Its sales were very close to rival FIFA 2008, which sold 6.55 million units in 2007.[56]
The PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 releases of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 each received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[57] indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies per version in the United Kingdom.[58] Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 sold approximately 104,654 copies since its debut in Japan.[59] It debuted at #5 in the UK game charts before moving to #3 in the second week after a 34% increase in sales.[60]
The game was met with positive to mixed reception. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 83.60% and 83 out of 100 for the Wii version;[48][54] 82.58% and 82 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version;[44][50] 79.74% and 80 out of 100 for the PSP version;[46][52] 78.50% for the PC version;[43] 75.53% and 76 out of 100 for the Xbox 360 version;[47][53] 73.46% and 74 out of 100 for the PlayStation 3 version;[45][51] and 58.57% and 58 out of 100 for the DS version.[42][49]
It was awarded Best Sports Game for the Wii by IGN in its 2008 video game awards.[61] It was also nominated for Wii Game of the Year by IGN.[62]
References[edit]
- ^ "Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Release Information for PlayStation 3". GameFAQs. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ^ a b Gibbon, David (June 19, 2007). "'Pro Evolution Soccer 2008' revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ^
My Housemates
My Housemates theme by Rush and Pauly Goldston
Download: MyHousemates.p3t
(6 backgrounds)
P3T Unpacker v0.12
Copyright (c) 2007. Anoop MenonThis program unpacks Playstation 3 Theme files (.p3t) so that you can touch-up an existing theme to your likings or use a certain wallpaper from it (as many themes have multiple). But remember, if you use content from another theme and release it, be sure to give credit!
Download for Windows: p3textractor.zip
Instructions:
Download p3textractor.zip from above. Extract the files to a folder with a program such as WinZip or WinRAR. Now there are multiple ways to extract the theme.
The first way is to simply open the p3t file with p3textractor.exe. If you don’t know how to do this, right click the p3t file and select Open With. Alternatively, open the p3t file and it will ask you to select a program to open with. Click Browse and find p3textractor.exe from where you previously extracted it to. It will open CMD and extract the theme to extracted.[filename]. After that, all you need to do for any future p3t files is open them and it will extract.
The second way is very simple. Just drag the p3t file to p3textractor.exe. It will open CMD and extract the theme to extracted.[filename].
For the third way, first put the p3t file you want to extract into the same folder as p3textractor.exe. Open CMD and browse to the folder with p3extractor.exe. Enter the following:
p3textractor filename.p3t [destination path]Replace filename with the name of the p3t file, and replace [destination path] with the name of the folder you want the files to be extracted to. A destination path is not required. By default it will extract to extracted.filename.Dmcfan
Dmcfan theme by Arkdragon
Download: Dmcfan.p3t
(2 backgrounds)
P3T Unpacker v0.12
Copyright (c) 2007. Anoop MenonThis program unpacks Playstation 3 Theme files (.p3t) so that you can touch-up an existing theme to your likings or use a certain wallpaper from it (as many themes have multiple). But remember, if you use content from another theme and release it, be sure to give credit!
Download for Windows: p3textractor.zip
Instructions:
Download p3textractor.zip from above. Extract the files to a folder with a program such as WinZip or WinRAR. Now there are multiple ways to extract the theme.
The first way is to simply open the p3t file with p3textractor.exe. If you don’t know how to do this, right click the p3t file and select Open With. Alternatively, open the p3t file and it will ask you to select a program to open with. Click Browse and find p3textractor.exe from where you previously extracted it to. It will open CMD and extract the theme to extracted.[filename]. After that, all you need to do for any future p3t files is open them and it will extract.
The second way is very simple. Just drag the p3t file to p3textractor.exe. It will open CMD and extract the theme to extracted.[filename].
For the third way, first put the p3t file you want to extract into the same folder as p3textractor.exe. Open CMD and browse to the folder with p3extractor.exe. Enter the following:
p3textractor filename.p3t [destination path]Replace filename with the name of the p3t file, and replace [destination path] with the name of the folder you want the files to be extracted to. A destination path is not required. By default it will extract to extracted.filename.PS3 AmazinHitz Vol. 1
PS3 AmazinHitz Vol. 1 theme by Neil Anand
Download: PS3AmazinHitzVol1.p3t
(7 backgrounds)
P3T Unpacker v0.12
Copyright (c) 2007. Anoop MenonThis program unpacks Playstation 3 Theme files (.p3t) so that you can touch-up an existing theme to your likings or use a certain wallpaper from it (as many themes have multiple). But remember, if you use content from another theme and release it, be sure to give credit!
Download for Windows: p3textractor.zip
Instructions:
Download p3textractor.zip from above. Extract the files to a folder with a program such as WinZip or WinRAR. Now there are multiple ways to extract the theme.
The first way is to simply open the p3t file with p3textractor.exe. If you don’t know how to do this, right click the p3t file and select Open With. Alternatively, open the p3t file and it will ask you to select a program to open with. Click Browse and find p3textractor.exe from where you previously extracted it to. It will open CMD and extract the theme to extracted.[filename]. After that, all you need to do for any future p3t files is open them and it will extract.
The second way is very simple. Just drag the p3t file to p3textractor.exe. It will open CMD and extract the theme to extracted.[filename].
For the third way, first put the p3t file you want to extract into the same folder as p3textractor.exe. Open CMD and browse to the folder with p3extractor.exe. Enter the following:
p3textractor filename.p3t [destination path]Replace filename with the name of the p3t file, and replace [destination path] with the name of the folder you want the files to be extracted to. A destination path is not required. By default it will extract to extracted.filename.F-1
007
007 theme by Paja
Download: 007.p3t
(1 background)
Redirect to:
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Green Day 1.0
Green Day 1.0 theme by Rush and Pauly Goldston
Download: GreenDay1.0.p3t
(3 backgrounds)
P3T Unpacker v0.12
Copyright (c) 2007. Anoop MenonThis program unpacks Playstation 3 Theme files (.p3t) so that you can touch-up an existing theme to your likings or use a certain wallpaper from it (as many themes have multiple). But remember, if you use content from another theme and release it, be sure to give credit!
Download for Windows: p3textractor.zip
Instructions:
Download p3textractor.zip from above. Extract the files to a folder with a program such as WinZip or WinRAR. Now there are multiple ways to extract the theme.
The first way is to simply open the p3t file with p3textractor.exe. If you don’t know how to do this, right click the p3t file and select Open With. Alternatively, open the p3t file and it will ask you to select a program to open with. Click Browse and find p3textractor.exe from where you previously extracted it to. It will open CMD and extract the theme to extracted.[filename]. After that, all you need to do for any future p3t files is open them and it will extract.
The second way is very simple. Just drag the p3t file to p3textractor.exe. It will open CMD and extract the theme to extracted.[filename].
For the third way, first put the p3t file you want to extract into the same folder as p3textractor.exe. Open CMD and browse to the folder with p3extractor.exe. Enter the following:
p3textractor filename.p3t [destination path]Replace filename with the name of the p3t file, and replace [destination path] with the name of the folder you want the files to be extracted to. A destination path is not required. By default it will extract to extracted.filename.Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators theme by Andre Robert
Download: OttawaSenators.p3t
(3 backgrounds)
Ottawa Senators
Sénateurs d'Ottawa
2024–25 Ottawa Senators season
Conference Eastern Division Atlantic Founded December 6, 1990 (began play in 1992) History Ottawa Senators
1992–presentHome arena Canadian Tire Centre City Ottawa, Ontario 
Team colours Red, black, white, gold[1][2][3]
Media - English
- French
Owner(s) Michael Andlauer General manager Steve Staios Head coach Travis Green Captain Brady Tkachuk Minor league affiliates Stanley Cups 0[a] Conference championships 1 (2006–07) Presidents' Trophy 1 (2002–03) Division championships 4 (1998–99, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2005–06) Official website nhl .com /senators The Ottawa Senators (French: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club[b] and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference and play their home games at the 18,652-seat[5] Canadian Tire Centre, which opened in 1996 as the Palladium.
Founded and established by Ottawa real estate developer Bruce Firestone, the team is the second NHL franchise to use the Ottawa Senators name. The original Ottawa Senators, founded in 1883, had a famed history, winning the Stanley Cup 11 times,[6] playing in the NHL from 1917 until 1934. On December 6, 1990, after a two-year public campaign by Firestone, the NHL awarded a new franchise, which began play in the 1992–93 season.[7] The Senators have made 16 playoff appearances, won four division titles, and won the 2003 Presidents' Trophy. They made an appearance in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals but lost to the Anaheim Ducks in five games.
History[edit]
Pre-launch logo used in the "Bring Back the Senators" campaign Ottawa had been home to the original Senators, a founding NHL franchise and 11-time Stanley Cup champions. After the NHL expanded to the United States in the late 1920s, the original Senators' eventual financial losses forced the franchise to move to St. Louis in 1934 operating as the Eagles while a Senators senior amateur team took over the Senators' place in Ottawa.[8] The NHL team was unsuccessful in St. Louis and planned to return to Ottawa, but the NHL decided instead to suspend the franchise and transfer the players to other NHL teams.[9]
Fifty-four years later, after the NHL announced plans to expand, Ottawa real estate developer Bruce Firestone decided along with colleagues Cyril Leeder and Randy Sexton that Ottawa was now able to support an NHL franchise, and the group proceeded to put a bid together. His firm, Terrace Investments, did not have the liquid assets to finance the expansion fee and the team, but the group conceived a strategy to leverage land development. In 1989, after finding a suitable site on farmland just west of Ottawa in Kanata on which to construct a new arena, Terrace announced its intention to win a franchise and launched a successful "Bring Back the Senators" campaign to both woo the public and persuade the NHL that the city could support an NHL franchise. Public support was high, and the group would secure over 11,000 season ticket pledges.[10] On December 12, 1990, the NHL approved a new franchise for Firestone's group to start play in the 1992–93 season.[7]
Early years (1992–1996)[edit]
The new team hired former NHL player Mel Bridgman, who had no previous NHL management experience, as its first general manager in 1992.[11] Ottawa signed former Boston head coach Rick Bowness. The new Senators were placed in the Adams Division of the Wales Conference and played their first game on October 8, 1992, in the Ottawa Civic Centre against the Montreal Canadiens with much pre-game spectacle.[12] The Senators defeated the Canadiens 5–3 in one of the few highlights that season. Following the initial excitement of the opening night victory, the club floundered badly. Eventually, it tied the San Jose Sharks for the worst record in the league, winning only 10 games with 70 losses and four ties for 24 points, three points better than the NHL record for futility.[13] The Senators had aimed low and considered the 1992–93 season a small success, as Firestone had set a goal for the season of not setting a new NHL record for fewest points in a season.[14] The long-term plan was to finish low in the standings for its first few years to secure high draft picks and eventually contend for the Stanley Cup.[14]
The Senators played their home games at the Ottawa Civic Centre from 1992 to 1996. Terrace needed a partner to make the final franchise payment to the NHL. Firestone sold 50% of Terrace to Rod Bryden, a technology executive and entrepreneur. A limited partnership was set up to own the hockey team and a new company, Palladium Corp., which was charged with building the new arena. The partnership included local high-tech executives and singer Paul Anka, who was born in Ottawa.[15] Bryden would become the sole owner of Terrace and majority owner of the Senators in August 1993, buying out Firestone.[16]
Bridgman was fired after one season and team president Randy Sexton took over the general manager duties. The strategy of aiming low and securing a high draft position did not change. The Senators finished last overall for the next three seasons. For the 1993–94 season, the team now played in the Eastern Conference's Northeast Division. Although 1993 first overall draft choice Alexandre Daigle wound up being one of the greatest draft busts in NHL history, they chose Radek Bonk in 1994, Bryan Berard (traded for Wade Redden) in 1995, Chris Phillips in 1996 and Marian Hossa in 1997, all of whom would become solid NHL players and formed a strong core of players in years to come. Alexei Yashin, the team's first-ever draft selection from 1992, emerged as one of the NHL's brightest young stars. The team traded many of their better veteran players of the era, including 1992–93 leading scorer Norm Maciver and fan favourites Mike Peluso and Bob Kudelski in an effort to stockpile prospects and draft picks.[17][18][19]
As the 1995–96 season began, star centre Alexei Yashin refused to honour his contract and did not play. In December, after three straight last-place finishes and a team which was ridiculed throughout the league, fans began to grow restless waiting for the team's long-term plan to yield results, and arena attendance began to decline. Rick Bowness was fired in late 1995 and was replaced by the Prince Edward Island Senators' head coach Dave Allison. Allison would fare no better than his predecessor, and the team would stumble to a 2–22–3 record under him. Sexton himself was fired and replaced by Pierre Gauthier, the former assistant GM of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim team.[20] Before the end of January 1996, Gauthier had resolved the team's most pressing issues by settling star player Alexei Yashin's contract dispute, and hiring the highly regarded Jacques Martin as head coach.[21] While Ottawa finished last-overall once again, the season ended with renewed optimism, due in part to the upgraded management and coaching, and also to the emergence of an unheralded rookie from Sweden named Daniel Alfredsson, who would win the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 1996.[22]
Jacques Martin era (1996–2004)[edit]
During the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, the Senators acquired Zdeno Chara in a multi-player trade with the New York Islanders. Martin would impose a "strong defence first" philosophy that led to the team qualifying for the playoffs every season that he coached, but he was criticized for the team's lack of success in the playoffs, notably losing four straight series against the provincial rival Toronto Maple Leafs.[23]
In 1996–97, his first season, the club qualified for the playoffs in the last game of the season and nearly defeated the Buffalo Sabres in the first round. In 1997–98, the club finished with their first winning record and upset the heavily favoured New Jersey Devils to win their first playoff series. However, they were ousted in the second round by the Sabres again. [22] In 1998–99, the Senators jumped from fourteenth overall in the previous season to third, with 103 points—the first 100-point season in club history, only to be swept in the first round by the Sabres. In 1999–2000, despite the holdout of team captain Alexei Yashin, Martin guided the team to the playoffs, only to lose to the Maple Leafs in the first Battle of Ontario series.[24][25] Yashin returned for 2000–01 and the team improved to win their division and place second in the Eastern Conference. Yashin played poorly in another first-round playoff loss[26] and on the day of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, he was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and the second overall selection in the draft, which Ottawa used to select centre Jason Spezza.[27]
The 2001–02 Senators regular season points total dropped, but in the playoffs, they upset the Philadelphia Flyers for the franchise's second playoff series win. The Sens would go on to push their second-round series to seven games, but they were ultimately once again defeated by the Maple Leafs. Despite speculation that Martin would be fired, it was GM Marshall Johnston who left, retiring from the team.[28] He was replaced by John Muckler, the Senators' first with previous management experience.[29]
Although the Senators were bankrupt, they continued to play in the 2002–03 season after getting emergency financing.[30] Despite the off-ice problems, Ottawa had an outstanding season, placing first overall in the NHL to win the Presidents' Trophy. In the playoffs, they came within one game of making it into the Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils.[31] In 2003–04, Martin would guide the team to another good regular season but again would lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Maple Leafs, leading to Martin's dismissal as management felt that a new coach was required for playoff success.[32]
Bankruptcy and sale to Eugene Melnyk[edit]
In 2000, owner Bryden publicly appealed for tax relief from the Government of Canada for all Canadian NHL teams, coping with a significant drop in the Canadian dollar. His appeal was first met with a plan for tax relief, but the tax relief program was cancelled.[33] Bryden then announced the sale of the club outright to a limited partnership in 2002 for CA$186 million, which would include creditors and Bryden himself.[33] After its principal creditor Ogden Entertainment failed, the Senators entered bankruptcy protection in January 2003, owing CA$160 million for the club and CA$210 million for the arena.[34] The deal fell through in 2003 when American investor Nelson Peltz declined to get involved.[35]
In August 2003, pharmaceutical billionaire Eugene Melnyk purchased the club for a reported CA$130 million.[36][37] Melnyk, principal shareholder of Biovail Pharmaceuticals, chose to finance half of the purchase price for the club and arena with debt. Share values of Biovail were depressed, and he did not want to sell them at the lower price.[38]
Bryan Murray era (2004–2016)[edit]
After the playoff loss, owner Melnyk promised that changes were coming, and they came quickly. In June 2004, Anaheim Ducks GM Bryan Murray of nearby Shawville became the head coach. That summer, the team also made substantial personnel changes, trading long-time players Patrick Lalime[39] and Radek Bonk,[40] and signing free agent goaltender Dominik Hasek.[41] The team would not be able to show its new line-up for a year, as the 2004–05 NHL lock-out intervened and most players played in Europe or in the minors. In a final change, just before the 2005–06 season, the team traded long-time player Marian Hossa for Dany Heatley.[42]
Daniel Alfredsson played together with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley, forming the CASH line. They led the Senators to their first Finals appearance. The media predicted the Senators to be Stanley Cup contenders in 2005–06, as they had a strong core of players returning. They played an up-tempo style that fit the new rule changes, and Hasek was expected to provide top-notch goaltending.[43] The team rushed out of the gate, winning 19 of the first 22 games, in the end winning 52 games and 113 points, placing first in the conference, and second overall. The newly formed 'CASH' line[44] of Alfredsson, Spezza and newly acquired Dany Heatley established itself as one of the league's top offensive lines.[45] Hasek played well until he was injured during the 2006 Winter Olympics,[46] forcing the team to enter the playoffs with rookie netminder Ray Emery as their starter.[47] Without Hasek, the club bowed out in a second-round loss to the Buffalo Sabres.[48]
In 2006–07, the Senators reached the Stanley Cup Finals after qualifying for the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons. The Senators had a high turn-over of personnel and the disappointment of 2006 to overcome and started the season poorly. Trade rumours swirled around Daniel Alfredsson for most of the last months of 2006. The team lifted itself out of last place in the division to nearly catch the Buffalo Sabres by season's end, placing fourth in the Eastern Conference. The team finished with 105 points, their fourth consecutive 100-point season and sixth in the last eight. In the playoffs, Ottawa continued its good play. Led by the 'CASH' line, goaltender Ray Emery, and the strong defence of Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov, the club defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, the second-ranked New Jersey Devils and the top-ranked Sabres to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.[49]
The 2006–07 Senators thus became the first Ottawa team to be in a Stanley Cup Finals since 1927, and the city was swept up in the excitement.[50] Businesses along all of the main streets posted large hand-drawn "Go Sens Go" signs, residents put up large displays in front of their homes or decorated their cars.[51] A large Ottawa Senators flag was draped on the City Hall, along with a large video screen showing the games. A six-storey likeness of Daniel Alfredsson was hung on the Corel building.[52] Rallies were held outside of City Hall, car rallies of decorated cars paraded through town and a section of downtown, dubbed the "Sens Mile", was closed off to traffic during and after games for fans to congregate.[53]
In the Final, the Senators faced the Anaheim Ducks, considered a favourite since the start of the season, a team the Senators had last played in 2006, and a team known for its strong defence. The Ducks won the first two games in Anaheim 3–2 and 1–0. Returning home, the Senators won game three 5–3 but lost game four 3–2. The Ducks won game five 6–2 in Anaheim to clinch the series and their first Stanley Cup championship. The Ducks had played outstanding defence, shutting down the 'CASH' line, forcing Murray to split up the line. The Ducks scored timely goals and Ducks' goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere out-played Emery.[54]
In the off-season after the Stanley Cup Finals, Bryan Murray's contract was expiring. At the same time, general manager (GM) John Muckler had one season remaining and was expected to retire. Murray, who had previously been a GM for other NHL clubs, was expected to take over the GM position, although no public timetable was given. Owner Melnyk decided to offer Muckler another position in the organization and give the GM position to Murray. Muckler declined the offer and was relieved from his position.[55] Melnyk publicly justified the move, saying that he expected to lose Murray if his contract ran out.[55] Murray then elevated John Paddock, the assistant coach, to head coach of the Senators.[56] Under Paddock, the team came out to a record start to the 2007–08 season. However, team play declined to a .500 level, and the team was falling out of the playoffs. Paddock was fired by Murray, who took over coaching on an interim basis.[57] The club managed to qualify for the playoffs by a tie-breaker but was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins. In June, the club bought out goaltender Ray Emery, who had become notorious for off-ice events in Ottawa and lateness to several team practices.[58]
Martin Gerber was a goaltender for the Senators from 2006 to 2009. For 2008–09, Murray hired Craig Hartsburg to coach the Senators. Under Hartsburg's style, the Senators struggled and played under .500. Uneven goaltending with Martin Gerber and Alex Auld meant the team played cautiously to protect the goaltender. Murray's patience ran out in February 2009, with the team well out of playoff contention, and Hartsburg was fired, although he had two years left on his contract, and the team also had Paddock under contract.[59] Cory Clouston was elevated from the Binghamton coaching position.[59] The team played above .500 under Clouston and rookie goaltender Brian Elliott, who had been promoted from Binghamton. Gerber was waived from the team at the trading deadline, and the team traded for goaltender Pascal Leclaire, although he would not play due to injury. The team failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons. Auld would be traded in the off-season to make room. Clouston's coaching had caused a rift with top player Dany Heatley (although unspecified "personal issues" were also noted by Heatley), and after Clouston was given a contract to continue coaching, Heatley made a trade demand and was traded just before the start of the 2009–10 season.[60]
In 2009–10, the Senators were a .500 team until going on a team-record 11-game winning streak in January. The streak propelled the team to the top of the Northeast Division standings and a top-three placing for the playoffs. The team could not hold off the Sabres for the division lead but qualified for the playoffs in the fifth position. For the third season in four, the Senators played off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. A highlight for the Senators was winning a triple-overtime fifth game in Pittsburgh,[61] but the team could not win a playoff game on home ice, losing the series in six games.[62]
The Senators had a much poorer than expected 2010–11 campaign, resulting in constant rumours of a shakeup right through until December. The rumours were heightened in January after the team went on a lengthy losing streak. January was a dismal month for the Senators, winning only one game. Media speculated on the imminent firing of Clouston, Murray or both. Owner Melynk cleared the air in an article in the January 22, 2011 edition of the Ottawa Sun. Melnyk stated that he would not fire either Clouston or Murray but that he had given up on this season and was in the process of developing a plan for the future.[63] On Monday, January 24, The Globe and Mail reported that the plan included hiring a new general manager before the June entry draft and that Murray would be retained as an advisor to the team. A decision on whether to retain Clouston would be made by the new general manager. The article by Roy MacGregor, a long-time reporter of the Ottawa Senators, stated that former assistant coach Pierre McGuire had already been interviewed.[64] Murray, in a press conference that day, stated that he wished to stay on as the team's general manager. He also stated that Melnyk was allowing him to continue as the general manager without restraint. Murray said that the players were now to be judged by their play until the February 28 trade deadline. Murray would attempt to move "a couple, at least," of the players for draft picks or prospects at that time if the Senators remained out of playoff contention.[65]
During the 2010–11 season, the Senators acquired Craig Anderson after swapping goaltenders with the Colorado Avalanche. True to his word, Murray made a flurry of trades. He started his overhaul with the trading of Mike Fisher to the Nashville Predators. Fisher already had a home in Nashville with his wife Carrie Underwood. The trading of Fisher, a fan favourite in Ottawa, led to a small anti-Underwood backlash with the banning of her songs from the playlists of some local radio stations.[66] Murray next traded veterans Chris Kelly,[67] and Jarkko Ruutu.[68] A swap of goaltenders was made with the Colorado Avalanche which brought Craig Anderson to Ottawa in exchange for Brian Elliott, both goaltenders having sub-par years.[69] Next, under-achieving forward Alex Kovalev was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.[70] On trade deadline day, Ottawa picked up goaltender Curtis McElhinney on waivers. It traded Chris Campoli with a seventh-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for a second-round pick and Ryan Potulny.[71] Goaltender Anderson played very well down the stretch for Ottawa, and the team quickly signed the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent to a four-year contract.[72] After media speculation on the future of Murray within the organization, Murray was re-signed as general manager on April 8 to a three-year extension.[73] On April 9, head coach Cory Clouston and assistants Greg Carvel and Brad Lauer were dismissed from their positions.[74] Murray said that the decision was made based on the fact that the team entered the season believing it was a contender, but finished with a 32–40–10 record.[74] Former Detroit Red Wings' assistant coach Paul MacLean was hired as Clouston's replacement on June 14, 2011.[75]
As the 2011–12 season began, many hockey writers and commentators were convinced that the Senators would finish at or near the bottom of the NHL standings.[76] While rebuilding, the Ottawa line-up contained many rookies and inexperienced players. The team struggled out of the gate, losing five of their first six games before a reversal of fortunes saw them win six games in a row. In December 2011, the team acquired forward Kyle Turris from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for highly regarded prospect David Rundblad and a draft pick.[77] The team improved its play afterwards and moved into a playoff position before the All-Star Game. For the first time in Senators' history, the All-Star Game was held in Ottawa and considered a great success. Five Senators were voted in or named to the event, including Daniel Alfredsson, who was named the captain of one team.[78] The team continued its playoff push after the break. After starting goaltender Craig Anderson injured his hand in a kitchen accident at home, the Senators called up Robin Lehner from Binghamton and acquired highly regarded goaltender Ben Bishop from the St. Louis Blues.[79] While Anderson recovered, the team continued its solid play and finished as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, drawing a first-round playoff matchup against the Conference champion New York Rangers. Ultimately, Ottawa lost the series in seven games.[80]
Paul MacLean< - From an alternative name: This is a redirect from a title that is another name or identity such as an alter ego, a nickname, or a synonym of the target, or of a name associated with the target.
