OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators vice-president of broadcasting Jim Steel and Bob Rioux, directeur général of CKOI 104,7, announced today that the French radio outlet will broadcast all 82 Senators regular season games for the first time since the partnership’s inception, which dates back to the 1992-93 NHL season.

“CKOI has a long-existing relationship with the Senators and we’re delighted to see their broadcast commitment with the club expand by almost 25 per cent heading into the upcoming season,” said Steel. “In conjunction with our recent partnership agreement with TVA, we certainly feel that our pledge to make considerably more games available to francophone fans in this market has been achieved.”

Based in Gatineau, CKOI 104,7 features the play-by-play calling of Nicolas St. Pierre and the colour commentary of Alain Sanscartier. An intermission reporter joins the duo for home broadcasts. Recent Senators seasons included French broadcasts of home games and about half of the team’s road contests. The agreement will also include any post-season matches.

“Now more than ever, CKOI 104,7 is the source of Senators insight for French listeners,” said Rioux. “With the play-by-play of every Senators game for the first time in our history, we continue to demonstrate our desire of being an outlet that resonates with an audience throughout Ottawa-Gatineau.”

The Senators will open the 2011-12 regular season on Friday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m., when they oppose the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. The Senators open their home schedule against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for all Senators home games can be purchased by visiting www.Capitaltickets.ca, by phone at 613-599-FANS (3267) or 1-877-788-FANS (3267); in person at The Sens Store at Carlingwood Mall and Place d’Orléans, any Ottawa Sports Experts location, Les Galeries de Hull and at the Scotiabank Place box office.