Eugene Melnyk: Ottawa Senators owner dead at 62

Longtime Ottawa Senators proprietor Eugene Melnyk has died at age 62.

Melnyk handed away on Monday after an sickness he confronted “with dedication and braveness,” the Senators stated in an announcement late Monday evening. The group stated he died peacefully surrounded by his household.

Melnyk purchased the Senators out of chapter in 2003, together with the group’s residence area in Kanata. The group performed within the 2007 Stanley Cup finals and the Jap Convention finals in 2017 below his possession.

“Eugene by no means wavered in his want and dedication to convey the Stanley Cup to the nation’s capital,” the group stated within the assertion. “Eugene was assured the present group of proficient gamers and training employees that he and his group constructed will problem for and finally ship on that championship promise.”

The group didn’t specify the sickness Melnyk was battling.

Condolences started pouring in Monday evening for his two daughters, prolonged household and the Senators group.

“The Nationwide Hockey League mourns the passing of Ottawa Senators proprietor Eugene Melnyk,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated in an announcement. “The phrases ‘ardour’ and ‘dedication’ outline the person who has owned the Ottawa Senators since 2003.

“Whether or not it was within the boardroom together with his fellow governors, on the rink together with his beloved Senators or locally together with his philanthropy, he cared deeply in regards to the sport, about his group and about bettering the lives of these in want.”

Bettman stated though Melnyk was profitable in enterprise, he was most keen about hockey and the Senators.

“Eugene was typically outspoken however he maintained an unwavering dedication to the sport and his roots and he cherished nothing greater than donning a Senators sweater and cheering on his beloved group.”

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk paid his respects on Twitter.

“Mr. Melnyk offered me, my teammates, and plenty of Sens gamers who got here earlier than us with a possibility to stay out our dream,” he stated. “The Ottawa group will miss you vastly. Condolences to your loved ones.”

Many followers tweeted their appreciation that Melnyk stepped in to purchase the group in 2003, which stored them in Ottawa amid an unsure future.

Different NHL groups additionally despatched condolences.

Melnyk was a Toronto native born to folks from Ukraine. He was an avid supporter of the Canadian navy and a philanthropist who supported quite a few causes. The Senators’ charity invested greater than $100 million in organizations that assist youngsters and youth throughout the area.

The resident of Barbados was additionally a profitable horse racing breeder who gained lots of the sport’s largest prizes. He made his fortune within the pharmaceutical trade because the founder and CEO of Biovail Company.

Melnyk had a liver transplant in 2015 after the group ran a public marketing campaign for a donor. Afterwards, he began a company devoted to elevating consciousness for organ donation.

Native politicians additionally paid tribute Monday evening, with Coun. Diane Deans tweeting she was “very saddened” to listen to the information.

“Thanks Eugene for being a distinction maker within the Metropolis of Ottawa,” she wrote. “Honest condolences to your daughters and household. You’ve got left us far too quickly.”