OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators today recalled forward Denis Hamel from the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, on an emergency basis to replace Daniel Alfredsson, who is out with the flu. This is Hamel's third call-up to the Ottawa Senators.

In 70 games this season with the B-Sens, Hamel has collected a team-leading 51 goals and 84 points (33 assists). He is tied for fourth in league scoring.

Hamel recorded his first 50-goal AHL season when he scored Binghamton's only marker in a 3-1 loss to the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday, April 1. He notched his 51st goal of the season in his 500th AHL career game, scoring the game-winner in Binghamton's 4-3 overtime win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Sunday.

The 28-year-old has appeared in three games with Ottawa this season, scoring his first career goal with the Senators against the New York Islanders on Nov. 25 (6-2 win). He also skated in Ottawa's 5-3 win at Carolina on Nov. 22 and 4-3 win over the New York Islanders on Dec. 30. In the three games, Hamel has one point, no penalty minutes and an average of 9:00 time-on-ice.

The Lachute, Que., native has 23 points (14-9) and 67 penalty minutes in 138 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa.

Binghamton is fifth in the East Division with 32 wins, 33 losses, four overtime and four shootout losses for 72 points. With seven regular-season games remaining, the club is nine points out of a playoff position. The B-Sens' next game is Wednesday, April 5, when they visit the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

- 30 -