Ottawa Senators owner and local businessman Eugene Melnyk died at the age of 62, the team announced on Monday.
According to the Senators’ statement, Melnyk had been battling an undisclosed illness for a lengthy amount of time. He died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
“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 statement read.
Melnyk had been in charge of the Senators since 2003, when he bought the NHL franchise along with its arena for $92 million, as the team was on the brink of bankruptcy and potentially leaving Canada’s capital.