James Reimer is once again living the NHL life after months of dedicated training in Kelowna. After uncertainty clouded his future just two months ago, the veteran goaltender signed with the Ottawa Senators on January 12, reigniting his professional career as he approaches 38 years old. Reimer’s patience and effort to find the right NHL opportunity paid off following an intense period of practice with junior teams and personal workouts.
Preparing with Junior Teams and Trusted Coaches
Before securing his spot with Ottawa, Reimer stayed in shape by training with multiple junior teams in British Columbia’s Junior A hockey league. His summer goaltending coach, Lyle Mast, who works with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks during their season, supported these efforts, alongside goaltending consultant Adam Francilia. Reimer also collaborated with the West Kelowna Warriors and Vernon Vipers to maintain his form and readiness.
“I felt like I really stayed in it as best I could with what I had available,”
Reimer said, expressing gratitude toward the accommodating coaches who helped him stay prepared. His continued presence on the ice was aided by friends, notably former Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch, along with “Cal,” both of whom helped him regain game shape by renting ice time and supporting his workouts.
“[Wiercioch] is obviously done playing, and both those guys were awesome, I’d rent some ice and they always made themselves available to help me out, so I had a lot of people that helped me stay ready,” said Reimer. “I felt like I still had a good support system around me.”
Maintaining Momentum Through Breaks and New Coaching
After joining the Senators, Reimer experienced a brief stay in Ontario due to the Olympic break that followed shortly after his signing. He returned to Kelowna during the pause to focus on improving specific aspects of his game. Reflecting on the break, he acknowledged the advantage of this window to address areas of his performance needing fine-tuning.
“I think what [was] nice about this break is you got some time to work on some things that maybe you couldn’t’ve leading up to it,” Reimer noted. “I think [the week of practices afterwards] really did give an opportunity to shore up any of the little areas where you felt you needed to improve.”
Back in Ottawa, Reimer continues his development under the guidance of goaltending coach Justin Peters and alongside Senators starter Linus Ullmark. He praised their approach and work ethic, highlighting the interpersonal support he receives in his new environment.
“You’re hard pressed to find a goalie that you don’t get along with, and same with a goalie coach,” Reimer laughed. “Both Ully and Petey have been great to work with. I like the way Petey sees the game and his demeanor, and even just his work ethic. He always has a plan every day and he’s serious about his goalies and wanting his goalies to be in the best place possible to help the team and whatnot. He really cares about us as humans, first and foremost, but about our games. It’s really nice to have a coach that’s invested and cares so much.
“And Ully’s been great, the way he plays the game and the way he stops pucks is really impressive. And obviously he has a good heart, so it’s been really fun to get to know him and watch him play.”
Role and Performance with the Ottawa Senators
While Reimer hasn’t been the busiest goalie given Ottawa’s strong defensive record, allowing the second-fewest shots against in the NHL, his performance has been solid. His 2.90 goals-against average ranks well among NHL goaltenders, reflecting his critical role in stabilizing the Senators’ net.
Reimer’s journey back to this level underscores a remarkable dedication to his craft, especially considering he is currently the third-oldest goalie playing in the league. Earlier in the season, Reimer faced moments of doubt about whether he would ever return to NHL competition.
“There’s a lot of times when you’re excited and you believe that something’s going to happen. Then there’s days when you’re a little down and you don’t know if maybe you’ve played your last game,” Reimer admitted after joining the Senators.
Personal Connections and Life on the Road
Though Reimer has not started any games since NHL action resumed post-Olympic break, with Ullmark serving as the primary netminder, the present road trip through western Canada holds personal significance. His wife, April, hails from Vancouver, and both have family ties in the western provinces, making the road swing a welcomed chance to reconnect with relatives.
“It’s great, it’s not ideal necessarily family-wise [in Ottawa], so it is nice to be going back out west just to see my wife and my kiddos. That’s definitely one plus to going back out west,” Reimer said, emphasizing the family time that comes with the western games.
He further described the benefits of playing on the western road, citing the opportunity to spend more quality time with siblings, parents, and in-laws, a highlight of his long hockey career.
“The western road swing is always a whole lot of fun, because you get to see siblings, and parents, and in-laws, and whatnot. That’s the biggest plus for me, for my whole career, is just more family time.”
The Path Ahead for Reimer and the Senators
James Reimer’s resurgence in the NHL is a testament to persistence, adaptability, and strong support networks. Returning to game shape with help from junior teams and close allies, he has secured a valuable place with the Ottawa Senators and continues to contribute behind a solid defensive core. Reimer’s experience and steady presence provide depth for the team, which looks to maintain competitiveness in a demanding league.
As Reimer advances further into his late 30s, his NHL comeback not only highlights his individual commitment but also offers inspiration for players aiming to extend their careers against the odds. His story is set to remain a defining narrative for the Senators this season and beyond.
