What happened: Ottawa Senators vice president of communications Ian Mendes is among 15 individuals selected for the 2026 Order of Ottawa alongside receiving the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching. Beyond his front-office communications role, Mendes hosts the Absolute Non-Sens podcast, which debuted its second season on Oct. 8.

Why it matters: The dual honors recognize Mendes for both civic contributions in the capital region and his work in local coaching. The recognition arrives during the opening month of the 2026-27 NHL regular season as the club expands its digital and community programming.

What to watch: Mendes and the remaining 14 inductees will be formally honored at the 2026 Order of Ottawa ceremony as the Senators continue their regular-season schedule.