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Senators owner Eugene Melnyk dead at 62 after battling illness, team says
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Ottawa Senators proprietor Eugene Melnyk has died from an sickness, the workforce stated Monday night time. He was 62.
The workforce introduced Melnyk’s demise with an announcement from his household that talked about “an sickness he confronted with dedication and braveness.” The assertion didn’t clarify what the sickness was, and a workforce spokesman didn’t instantly reply to a message looking for extra particulars.
Melnyk had a liver transplant in 2015 after a public marketing campaign for a donor. He had owned the Senators since 2003, when he purchased the NHL membership for $92 million. Ottawa reached the Stanley Cup Closing in 2007, dropping in 5 video games to the Anaheim Geese.
FILE – Ottawa Senators workforce proprietor Eugene Melnyk attends an NHL hockey information convention Dec. 4, 2014, in Ottawa. The Senators say Melnyk has died from an sickness at age 62. The workforce introduced the information with an announcement from his household.
(AP Photograph/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld, File)
The Toronto native was concerned in different companies round Canada and in 2010 had an estimated internet value of $1.21 billion.
Melnyk purchased the Senators after Rod Bryden’s deal to reacquire the franchise was unsuccessful.
“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.
“Whereas profitable in enterprise, it was our recreation and his Senators that he was most captivated with. Eugene was usually 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 workforce. On behalf of the whole Nationwide Hockey League, I lengthen my deepest sympathies to Eugene’s daughters, Anna and Olivia, his prolonged household, and all those that benefited from his generosity.”
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk stated in a tweet: “Mr. Melnyk supplied me, my teammates, and lots of Sens gamers who got here earlier than us with a chance to dwell out our dream. The Ottawa neighborhood will miss you drastically. Condolences to your loved ones.”
Melnyk was additionally a profitable thoroughbred horse-racing breeder, twice being named Canada’s prime proprietor. His horses received all three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, together with Archers Bay capturing the ’98 Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes en path to being named Canada’s champion three-year-old male.
In 2013, Melnyk diminished his horse-racing operation and went from breeding to buying yearlings and racing these as an alternative. Melnyk was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Corridor of Fame in 2017.