Senators pay tribute to fan who died of leukemia

The Ottawa Senators celebrated the life of one of their biggest fans Saturday.

The Senators honored Brian Fraser, a diehard fan who recently died of leukemia, by holding a moment of silence before and wearing a helmet decal during their game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Fraser, 26, was a radio producer in Ottawa and had battled the cancer for two years before passing away Friday. He was a huge Senators supporter and had developed a relationship with many players and coach DJ Smith, who opened his media availability Friday by offering condolences.
"I know our players have been in contact with him, and I've been texting with him throughout the year," Smith said. "No matter what our struggles, he lived every day to watch our team play and root for these guys. I know there were some guys sad today to hear the news, and I know that he fought hard and the family can be proud."
Smith told the Senators about Fraser's death Friday, and they opened their practice by raising their sticks in memory of him.

"Life is so much bigger than sports," Smith said. "[It was] for us to take a moment out of our day to honor a proud man and a guy who lived and died by the Ottawa Senators."