Amid the NHL’s suspended season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a fair amount of controversy generated by certain ownerships groups refusing to commit to paying laid-off arena workers and employees through the work stoppage. Given Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk’s reputation for having a tight grip on his wallet, folks watching the situation unfold were somewhat dismayed, but not surprised when Melnyk initially stayed quiet.
But today, it appears that the owner has come through:
In a statement issued by the team, it was announced that Eugene Melnyk had personally pledged to compensate both part-time and hourly workers for their lost shifts due to the ongoing health crisis, up to the end of the NHL regular season.