The Ottawa Senators announced Wednesday that they had hired local broadcasters/journalists Ian Mendes and Sylvain St-Laurent to head up the club’s communications department.
Mendes, who served as manager of communications with the team from 2000-2002 will assume the title of VP of Communications, while St-Laurent will serve as Director of Communications.
“We are excited about adding Ian and Sylvain to our team. The broadcasting and media landscape is experiencing a period of dramatic change and along with it too, the sports industry is evolving and growing,” said Ottawa Senators President & CEO Cyril Leeder. “We are certain that Ian and Sylvain will be important contributors to our team as we navigate the sports and media landscapes going forward.”
Most recently Mendes was covering the Senators for a variety of media outlets, including TSN 1200, and The Athletic.
“Returning to the organization that helped launch my career is truly a special feeling,” said Mendes. “I’m excited to bring my skillset as a journalist and storyteller to the organization to help create dynamic and compelling content across various platforms.”
Meanwhile, St-Laurent will be swapping offices from TD Place to the Canadian Tire Centre as he’ll move from the PWHL Ottawa franchise, where he served as manager of media relations to the city’s NHL counterpart.
‘’I was very impressed when Michael Andlauer made it clear, as soon as he arrived, that the Senators are the team for the Ottawa-Gatineau region,” said St-Laurent. “I’ve spent two decades telling hockey stories, mainly to French-speaking fans. It’s only natural for me to continue this work in the Outaouais and Eastern Ontario communities.’’
According to the team’s press release, both Mendes and St-Laurent are expected to begin their new roles with the club in early August. A firm start date was not immediately made publicly available.
Photo: Ottawa Senators Hockey Club.