Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk dies at age 62 as NHL praises his ‘passion’ and ‘commitment’ to the game
EUGENE Melnyk, the owner of the Ottawa Senators, has died at the age of 62.
His death was confirmed on the team’s official Twitter account.
“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.”
The tweet also had a link to a longer announcement on the NHL website.
“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.”
According to the statement, the businessman was surrounded by his family when he passed away peacefully.
Melnyk was born on May 27, 1959, to Ukrainian parents.
He was a lifelong hockey fan, he purchased the Senators in 2003. The team would win the Stanley Cup Final in 2007 and the Eastern Conference final ten years later in 2017.
"Mr. Melnyk provided me, my teammates, and many Sens players who came before us with an opportunity to live out our dream," wrote Brady Tkachuk, the caption of the Senators.
"The Ottawa community will miss you greatly. Condolences to your family."
Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the NHL made a statement following the news of Melnyk’s passing.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. The works ‘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.”
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