Wade's play can be best compared to that of his father. He says his father, whom Redden describes as a tough player, was big about playing honest and clean. "He told me to play the game hard," says Redden. "And he always reminded me that I would never get away with cheap shots." He tries to apply those principals to his own game.
However, he has alot more than his clean play to be proud of. For example, there was his preformance during his three years in the WHL. Redden was named to both the 1996 Central First All-Star and the Memorial Cup All-Star Teams. He won gold medals at both the 1995 and 1996 World Junior Hockey Championships. He played 51 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings in 1995-96 and scored nine goals and assisted on 45 goals. He was also named runner up for the leagues top Defenceman Award in 1994-95. However, I am sure his best years are about to come.
On July 8, 1995 Wade Redden was drafted into the NHL at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. Redden, who was second pick overall, was snatched up by the New York Islanders. But, by January 23, 1996, Redden, weighing 193lbs and 6'1'', was part of a three way trade that sent him to the Senators, along with goaltender Damian Rhodes from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bryan Berard, the first pick of the draft went to the Islanders.
Wade's first game in the NHL was against Montreal. On his first shift, the Canadiens scored on a power play. "That woke me up a bit," he says. "I should've covered my opponent better." So what did he do to compensate for that short handed goal? "I shook it off and went and sniped one of my own."
On August 26, 1998 Wade Redden along with fellow teammates Chris Phillips and Ron Tugnutt and coach Jacques Martin held a skating clinic at the Walter Baker Arena. Youngsters from around the area were able to skate with proffessional hockey players as well as learn some of the basic skills of the game. "It is like working with our team at the beginning of the season," joked Martin about the clinic.
For a week in October (1998), the Ottawa Senators went on a bonding trip to Banff. The purpose of the trip was to identify the teams goals for the year and to let the players get to know one another. Mixed in with many team meetings, the players were able to go sight-seeing and take in some golfing. They also came up with this slogan: Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn't Work Hard, to inspire them to reach their goals this year.
Here are some of Wade's Favourites
Wade received the "You Made a Difference Award" on November 20, 1997 for his contribution to the community with "Wade's World." His parents accepted the award on his behalf since he had to attend a practice.