Eugene Melnyk built complex legacy during 20 years of business in Ottawa

As residents woke up to the news that Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk died on Monday, they remembered a man who saved the team from relocation nearly 20 years ago, but whose relationship with the city became complex.

Melnyk bought the Sensand their home arenain 2003 for $130 million US when the previous franchise owner, Rod Bryden, wentbankrupt. Melnyk put in the offer and reached a deal with creditors after Bryden's deal to reacquire the team was unsuccessful.

The team reached its peak in the mid-2000s that culminated in a trip to the Stanley Cup final four years into Melnyk's ownership. Amid lagging performance and attendancein more recent years, however, many disgruntled Senatorsfans had openlycriticizedMelnyk'sleadership and calledloudlyfor himto sell the team.

That discussion reached a fever pitch at the tail end of a disastrous season in 2018when a fundraisingcampaign amassed more than $10,000 forbillboards emblazoned with#MelnykOutin large, block letters.

It happened after Melnyk hinted at the possibility ofrelocating the team, and complained of having to "beg" fans to buy ticketsahead ofanNHL100 Classicoutdoor game.

The 2019 collapse of his bid to builda newNHL arena in the heart of Ottawa in a redevelopment ofLeBreton Flats a large parcel of landcloseto the downtown core, straddled along the Ottawa River was another black mark on his relationship with the city.

At the time, Mayor Jim Watson publicly chastisedMelnyk for being difficult to deal with.

But in a social media post on Tuesday, Watson wrote: "While we didn't always see eye to eye on some issues, I was always appreciative that Mr. Melnyk stepped forward to keep the [Senators] in Ottawa, solidifying the organization's place as an integral part of our city.

"My sincere condolences go out to his family and his colleagues."

Ottawa Senators founderBruce Firestone said by phone Tuesday he was sad to hear of Melnyk's untimely passing at the age of 62, and thathe's choosing toremember Melnykas the handsome, "full of beans" younger man he knew whenMelnyk took over the franchise.

"Later on, as the team performed worse, and as player turnover increased, it became more difficult," Firestone said. "I actually checked yesterday, before I heard the news, and I was actually quite disappointed to learn that the Senators are last in the NHL, out of 32 teams ... in terms of attendance. And there's many reasons for that, but it is disappointing."

WATCH | Bruce Firestone on Eugene Melnyk's time as owner:

Melnyk deserves credit for saving Ottawa Senators from relocation, founder says

3 years ago

Duration 1:10

Bruce Firestone, founder of the Ottawa Senators, says team owner Eugene Melnyk deserves some credit for saving the team from relocation 20 years ago. Melnyk died Monday at the age of 62.

In Nashville, Tenn.,on Thursday, where the Senatorsare preparing for tonight's game against the Predators, team captain Brady Tkachukcalled this a "sad day" for the organization and the city.

"Ottawa lost a person who cared so much about the community," Tkachuk told reporters, adding it was "a great honour" to be named captain by Melnykat the start of season.

Tkachuk said Melnyk was focused on bringing the Stanley Cup to Ottawa, and said that remains the team's ultimate goal.

"That's going to be something we want to fulfil and bring a cup back to Ottawa, and that was his mission and we definitely wantto honour him by doing that," Tkachuk said.

Emotional message from Senators GM

At a meeting of NHL general managers in Florida, Senators GMPierre Dorion offered an emotional tribute to Melnyk.

"He's someone that brought stability to the Ottawa Senators franchise. If not for Eugene Melnyk, the Senators would not be in Ottawa," Dorion said.

"He made a commitment to the city of Ottawa, to the franchise, to try and build a winner," Dorion said, thanking Melnyk for entrusting him with the GM job. "I'm so thankful [to] him for giving me that opportunity, and I want to promise the fans in Ottawa that we will deliver a Stanley Cup one day."

The Senators' next home game is Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings. Fans are calling on each other to fill the stands at the Canadian Tire Centre in Melnyk's honour.

Here's some of their onlineresponse to Melnyk'sdeath.