“It is with great sadness that the family of Eugene Melnyk and the hockey organization Ottawa Senators announce his death on March 28, 2022 after an illness he endured with determination and courage,” the team said in a statement. “Eugene has never wavered in his desire and commitment to bring the Stanley Cup to the nation’s capital.
“Under his ownership, the Senators played in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals and the 2017 Conference Finals. Eugene was confident that the current team of talented players and coaching staff he created and his organization would challenge and eventually make that league promise. “
The Toronto native bought the team and Kanata, Ont. Arena in 2003 for 130 million US dollars and was credited with saving the franchise that had fallen into difficult times and was facing bankruptcy. Melnyk made an offer to the Senators after Rod Bryden’s agreement to reclaim the franchise was unsuccessful.
In the wake of Melnyk’s death, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement mourning his death.
“The National Hockey League mourns the death of Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. 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 a lot. “For the game, for his team and for improving the lives of those in need, especially underprivileged children, organ donation and, more recently, his commitment to his parents’ homeland, Ukraine,” Batman said.
“While he was successful in business, it was our game and his senators that he was most passionate about. 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. “On behalf of the entire National Hockey League, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Eugene’s daughters, Anna and Olivia, his extended family and all those who have benefited from his generosity.”
Senator Brady Tkachuk took to social media to express his feelings for Melnyk.
“Mr. Melnik gave me, my teammates and many of the Sens players who came before us the opportunity to make our dream come true,” Senator Brady Tkachuk tweeted. “You will miss the Ottawa community very much. Condolences to your family.”
Melnyk’s high point came in 2007 when the team reached the Stanley Cup final, losing to the Anaheim Ducks in five games.
While the franchise suffered several setbacks in the first playoffs at the hands of rival Toronto Maple Leafs, the Senators had one of the highest average turnouts in Melnyk’s term – usually attracting large crowds to an arena just outside the center, which was a big move. headaches.
As the years went by, the team faced more challenges.
Melnyk himself needed an urgent liver transplant in 2015 and published his request. A donor showed up and asked to remain anonymous. He asked the surgeon to send a message: “Tell Eugene I want to bring a Stanley Cup to Ottawa.”
While the Senators fell slightly from the 2017 final, losing in a double overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins, it was not a smooth run.
Ticket sales were delayed – even for the playoffs – and later that year at an open-air game in Ottawa, Melnik suggested the team could look good elsewhere if a new downtown arena could not. to become reality.
This led to great reactions from the fans with the hashtag and the subsequent #MelnykOut billboard.
Meanwhile, several star players have had messy departures – including favorites Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson.
An arena deal at the core of the city at LeBreton Flats collapsed in 2019 with a series of lawsuits by Melynk and business partner John Ruddy.
Melnyk then thought of an ice rink in nearby Gatineau, Que., But that never happened.
Melnyk first entered the world of horse racing and is a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. He entered hockey as the owner of Toronto St. Michael’s Majors of the OHL in 2001. The graduate of St. Michael’s College eventually moved the team to Mississauga, but the franchise continued to struggle at the gate and Melnyk sold the team in 2012.
Melnyk is survived by daughters Anna and Olivia.
With files from Canadian Press and Associated Press
