The hockey world is in mourning this evening, as the Ottawa Senators confirmed that owner Eugene Melnyk has died at age 62. A message from the Melnyk family indicated that he passed “after an illness he faced with determination and courage.”
Melnyk purchased the Senators in 2003, when the team was facing bankruptcy and possible relocation. While the team has still yet to raise the Stanley Cup as champions, they did reach the Final in 2007 and went to the Conference Finals in 2017.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement:
The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. The words ‘passion’ and ‘commitment’ define the man who has owned the Ottawa Senators since 2003. Whether it was in the boardroom with his fellow governors, at the rink with his beloved Senators or in the community with his philanthropy, he cared deeply about the game, about his team and about bettering the lives of those in need, particularly underserved children, organ donation and, most recently, with his commitment to his parents’ home country of Ukraine.
While successful in business, it was our game and his Senators that he was most passionate about. Eugene was often outspoken but he maintained an unwavering commitment to the game and his roots and he loved nothing more than donning a Senators sweater and cheering on his beloved team.
On behalf of the entire National Hockey League, I extend my deepest sympathies to Eugene’s daughters, Anna and Olivia, his extended family, and all those who benefited from his generosity.
The entire hockey world, including those of us at PHR, send our condolences to his children Anna and Olivia, partner Sharilyne and the rest of the Melnyk family.
Rip Eugene but Ottawa fans are gonna remember your tenure like leaf fans do to Harold Ballard
Sorry screwed up saying that last part please disregard
Hopefully he’s not plagued by empty seats at his funeral. RIP Eugene.
They’ll tarp them and make them unavailable.
Sad news to hear.
That one user is going to change his name. You know who you are
Who’s that?
Does a new owner come in and move them?
(Too soon, but seriously wondering)
My condolences to the family of course.
The lead ownership stake will most likely be passed down to a family member, unless his family decides to sell.
the Senators were in bad way when he came in and pretty much saved the franchise for the city. yet somehow he was always vilified. the team was often competitive and entertaining. yeah he made a lot of mistakes and was apparently a difficult guy to deal with. but you don’t build a fortune letting people run all over you. and bottom line is if the seats were empty it’s because of the apathy of the fans, not on the owner. plenty of empty rinks around the NHL with dirt cheap seating. if you want hockey bad enough you’ll pay for the seat and go to the game. you can blame the owner, the location of the arena, the GM, the coach….whatever. either you’re there to support your local team or you’re not.
You should probably sit down and shut up because you clearly don’t know the story of that team
I’m a Sabres fan, so my wishful thinking has caused me to deflect negative thoughts away from the Sabres and on to other teams. The Sens obliged very graciously.
But this news saddens me and my thoughts and prayers go out to the Melnyk family.
There are a few parallels between the Sabres and Sens (shared bankruptcy histories, won in the ‘00’s – lost a lot since, owners as convenient scapegoats for any perceived failure, etc.). I think his legacy will be more kind to him. I think he was good for Ottawa and therefore good for hockey.
Rest In peace.