Melnik died Monday of an illness he treated “with determination and courage,” senators said in a statement late Monday night. The group said he died peacefully surrounded by his family. Melnyk bought the Senators from bankruptcy in 2003, along with the group’s headquarters in Kanata. The team played in the Stanley Cup finals in 2007 and the Eastern Conference finals in 2017 under its ownership. “Eugene has never wavered in his desire and commitment to bring the Stanley Cup to the nation’s capital,” the team said in a statement. “Eugene was convinced that the current team of talented players and coaching staff he created and his organization would challenge and eventually deliver on that league promise.” The team did not specify the illness that Melnyk was battling. Condolences began to fall on Monday night for his two daughters, the extended family and the Senators. “The National Hockey League is mourning the death of Ottawa Sen. owner Eugene Melnik,” said NHL commissioner Gary Betman. “The words ‘passion’ and ‘commitment’ have defined the man who has owned the Ottawa Senators since 2003. “Whether he was in the boardroom with his fellow governors, on the rink with his beloved senators or in the community with his charity, he cared deeply for the game, for his team and for improving the lives of those in need.” Batman said that although Melnik was successful in business, he was very passionate about hockey and senators. “Eugene was often honest, but he kept a firm commitment to the game and his roots, and he liked nothing more than wearing a Senators sweater and cheering on his favorite team.” Senator Brady Tkachuk paid tribute to Twitter. “Mr Melnyk gave me, my teammates and the many Sens players who came before us the opportunity to make our dream come true,” he said. “You will miss the Ottawa community very much. Condolences to your family.” Many fans posted on Twitter their assessment that Melnik intervened to buy the team in 2003, which kept them in Ottawa amid an uncertain future. Condolences were sent by other NHL teams.
Flames send their heartfelt condolences to Eugene Melnyk’s family, friends and @Senators. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. – Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 29, 2022 Melnyk was a native of Toronto born to Ukrainian parents. He was an ardent supporter of the Canadian Army and a philanthropist who advocated for many purposes. The Senators charity has invested more than $ 100 million in child and youth advocacy organizations across the region. The Barbadian was also a successful horse breeder, winning many of the sport’s biggest awards. He made his fortune in the pharmaceutical industry as the founder and CEO of Biovail Corporation. Melnyk underwent a liver transplant in 2015 after the team ran a public campaign for a donor. Then an organ donation awareness campaign was launched. Local politicians also paid tribute Monday night to Koon. Diane Deans wrote on Twitter that she was “very sad” when she heard the news. “Thank you Eugene for making a difference in the city of Ottawa,” he wrote. “Sincere condolences to your daughters and family. You left us too early.”
