Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk Passes Away
In a stunning piece of news, the Senators announced late last night that their owner, Eugene Melnyk, passed away.
From the team’s official press release:
“It is with great sadness that the family of Eugene Melnyk and the Ottawa Senators hockey organization announce his passing on March 28, 2022 after an illness he faced with determination and courage.
Loving father to Anna and Olivia, Eugene was a devoted son to Vera and the late Dr. Ferdinand Melnyk, a caring brother to Lydia and a loving companion to Sharilyne. The businessman, sports franchise owner and philanthropist died peacefully surrounded by his family and will be fondly remembered by his many friends and associates.”
Born on May 27, 1959, Melnyk was 62 years old at the time of his passing. The cause of death was never detailed in the release, but when the passionate and outspoken owner took a step away from the cameras and microphones in recent years, it was impossible not to notice. The appointment of a returning Erin Crowe as the organization's new executive vice-president and chief financial officer in February was probably the biggest indicator that something significant was going on behind the scenes.
Melnyk’s legacy resides in the fact that this franchise experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows under his stewardship.
Melnyk built up a lot of equity with a fan base starving for financial stability when the team was purchased out of bankruptcy in 2003. Finally, the organization had a deep-pocketed owner who promised to keep the team in Ottawa. The franchise’s eventual run to their only Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2007 only bolstered that support.
In the 15 years that followed, most of that goodwill dissipated, and for some, apathy set in. As the owner’s financial wherewithal diminished, deficiencies in this franchise’s operations and management became more glaring.
There was no mistaking Melnyk’s bravado and passion. The latter characteristic is a point everyone keeps alluding to while paying their respects to the Senators’ owner.
Shortly after the Senators’ release, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released an official statement of his own on Melnyk’s passing:
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.
Mayor Jim Watson tweeted out his respects earlier this morning:
Melnyk obviously cared about his hockey club and its fans. Whether it was helping an Ottawa couple out when their honeymoon in Barbados was ruined by a hurricane or helping out Stuntman Stu’s family after his cancer diagnosis, it is easy to recognize Melnyk’s willingness to help improve the lives of people within the community.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to have an honest discussion regarding Melnyk’s legacy without acknowledging how his words and actions have alienated a significant number of people in this city — including the fans, politicians, media, businesses, employees, players and alumni. (As an aside, Melnyk’s passing has offered a really good snapshot of the dichotomy for how the media here was treated. In his article from this morning, The Athletic’s Ian Mendes wrote that when the “media challenged him or his organization’s strategy, he simply cut off their access to the club and their officials.” In another TSN media hit with Jay Onrait, Garrioch confirmed that he and the owner always talked in great detail at every trade deadline about who was in play and what the team was trying to do.)
Questions about ownership and the future of the Ottawa Senators are inevitably going to run their course.
In a TSN hit that aired last night, Bruce Garrioch expressed a belief that “(Melnyk) set it up, so that this team would be in his family for generations, and I do believe that his two daughters, Anna and Olivia, who are both in their 20’s, are interested in keeping the team in the family.”
Much of that information stems from a discussion Garrioch had with the owner during the team’s trip to Sweden in 2017. According to the Postmedia writer, Melnyk’s daughter Olivia has reportedly interned in a number of departments within the organization and is currently in business school at Queens.
A lot can change within five years, although the rumours and speculation over what will happen next will be rampant.
Melnyk’s passing may spur some fears about relocation, but members of the media have let it be known that there are interested parties in buying and keeping the Ottawa Senators in this city. And just last month, the NCC issued its deadline requesting expressions of interest to build a major attraction at LeBreton Flats. To this point, no one has confirmed whether the Senators (or an interested party in purchasing the team) submitted a bid.
There is also the matter of the lawsuit and countersuit between John Ruddy’s Trinity Development Group and Melnyk’s Capital Sports Management Inc. overhanging the situation.
And how will the NHL’s Board of Governors help oversee the transition of ownership to Melnyk’s daughters or to another interested party?
We are in uncharted waters here and for the younger generation of fans, many have never experienced life without Melnyk owning their favourite franchise.
Irrespective of anyone’s feelings about Melnyk, he was another human being. He had family and friends. And to that point, I just want to express my sincerest condolences to them during this time of mourning.
And to everyone else, whether you love him or hate him, one of the best things anyone can say of Melnyk’s legacy is that the future of this franchise in this city has never felt so secure.
Well balanced take Graeme! Good read Thanks!