Haliburton hockey star Matt Ducheneis going to be playing closer to home and his family is thrilled about it. The 26-year-old’s career with the Colorado Avalanche came to an end last Sunday night when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators as part of a three-team trade.

 

“Having Matt play in a Canadian market is the most exciting thing for all of us,” said his father, Vince Duchene, in an interview.

 

The three-hour drive to Haliburton—which is where Duchene has a cottage and his parents live—should equal more family time.

 

“[He] can be with us for Christmas and the NHL bye week break in January,” said Vince.

 

Duchene, a centre, was drafted third overall by the Avalanche in 2009. This week, the team was ranked seventh overall out of 15 teams in the Western Conference. Ottawa was also seventh in the Eastern Conference.

 

Duchene was unable to be reached for comment as of press time.