Eugene Melnyk

2022 - 3 - 28

Melnyk Melnyk

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Hockey world reacts to death of Ottawa Senators owner Eugene ... (CKPGToday.ca)

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk was remembered for his committed and complicated relationships with his NH...

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Eugene Melnyk will always be remembered for saving the Senators (Sportsnet.ca)

Eugene Melnyk rescued the Senators from bankruptcy in 2003 and kept the NHL team in Ottawa, even if he infuriated fans at times by musing about moving the ...

Fiercely private, Melnyk and the team disclosed very little about his declining health in recent weeks. I was at the St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto in 2005 when Melnyk donated $5 million for a new hospital entranceway. Melnyk’s oldest, Anna, is still in her early 20s, so it will be interesting to see how the family and NHL proceed from here. Due to the pandemic and other financial pressures, the CTC has not had great attendance, even when fans were finally allowed back in the venue as COVID-19 concerns eased somewhat. It’s not gonna happen,” Melnyk said at Parliament Hill, which was the planned site of the outdoor game, until security concerns moved it to TD Place in the Glebe. Melnyk was extremely proud of his Ukrainian heritage. Bettman wasn’t amused by Melnyk’s musings at the outdoor game, but he couldn’t deny Melnyk’s drive and spark, which sometimes led to big headlines. After that 2004 defeat, Melnyk fired head coach Jacques Martin and Bryan Murray was hired as coach. That year also marked the Senators' most recent appearance in the playoffs, a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Final. Many are the fans who probably felt like doing likewise, after a meek ending to a fourth playoff series loss to the Leafs since 2000. Melnyk arrived in 2003, as though on a white horse. It wasn’t only club executives who came and went under Melnyk’s reign, but alumni as well.

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Eugene Melnyk built complex legacy during 20 years of business in ... (CBC.ca)

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 ...

#gosensgo #ottawasenators— @SignatureNation RIP to the owner of the @Senators Eugene Melnyk. As a Sens fan this comes as a shock as he was so young. #Sens captain Brady Tkachuk comments on Mr. Melnyk’s passing. That 2007 Cup Final was the highlight of Sens fandom and hope to get back there soon! "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." So thank you Eugene, for giving me a hometown team to cheer for. "He's someone that brought stability to the Ottawa Senators franchise. Forever grateful for Eugene's steadfast determination to keep NHL hockey in our nation's capital, when few others would have. Euge was the only reason this team is here today.— @dailysensnews Amid lagging performance and attendance in more recent years, however, many disgruntled Senators fans had openly criticized Melnyk's leadership and called — loudly — for him to sell the team. And there's many reasons for that, but it is disappointing." Melnyk bought the Sens and their home arena in 2003 for $130 million US when the previous franchise owner, Rod Bryden, went bankrupt.

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Eugene Melnyk had a complicated relationship with Senators fans (The Globe and Mail)

Eugene Melnyk pulled the Senators out of bankruptcy in 2003 and saw his team reach the Stanley Cup final, but many Senators fans still didn't warm to the ...

Bettman is determined to maintain a presence in the Canadian capital, but there will be plenty of interest in buyers, some of whom might wish it to stay in Ottawa and many of whom would want to relocate. “There’s a lot of frustration dealing with Melnyk on a number of fronts,” Mayor Jim Watson said at the time. At the start of the current season, general manager Pierre Dorion told reporters, “I think we’re at a stage where, for us, I think the rebuild is over. Melnyk had long talked about moving the Canadian Tire Centre from its suburban Kanata location to the downtown core, so he could better tap into the corporate and Quebec markets. Melnyk did indeed save the franchise in 2003, when he purchased the rink and team for $130-million after a bankruptcy filing by former owner Rod Bryden. Melnyk had made his fortune through Biovail Corp., a pharmaceutical company specializing in generic drugs. When you own the Ottawa Senators, they pay a lot of attention to you – not all of it good. I don’t want to hear the word anymore. If you open a grocery store and nobody comes, but one opens two blocks down and there’s a line outside, where are you going to have your store?” Heading into Tuesday’s match in Nashville against the Predators, the team stood second-last in the Eastern Conference. The fan base, long fragile, has turned increasingly bitter through this long season of losses, COVID-19 protocols and injuries to key players. Many felt history was repeating itself, though there had never been any hard proof that Melnyk was in as much financial difficulty as local gossip liked to claim. But when you own the New York Yankees … they do, and I love it.” It was not to be.

Sénateurs: le propriétaire Eugene Melnyk succombe à la maladie, à ... (Le Reflet du Lac)

OTTAWA — Le propriétaire des Sénateurs d'Ottawa, Eugene Melnyk, est décédé des suites d'une maladie, a annoncé l'équipe lundi soir. Il avait 62 ans.

Il était également le fondateur et président de Biovail Corp., l’une des plus grandes entreprises pharmaceutiques au Canada. Il était propriétaire des Sénateurs depuis 2003, lorsqu’il a acheté le club pour 92 M $. «Sous sa direction, les Sénateurs ont participé à la finale de la Coupe Stanley en 2007 ainsi qu’à la finale d’Association en 2017.

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Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk dies at age 62 | Ottawa ... (Ottawa Business Journal)

In 2015, Melnyk had a liver transplant at the Toronto General Hospital. He was reportedly mere days away from death before a suitable donor was found. “It is ...

“He was an owner that really understood the game of hockey,” Nicholson said. Melnyk was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2017. “That did change his outlook on giving back,” Ottawa businessman Peter Nicholson, who worked with Melnyk as an adviser on the charity, said of his transplant. He doesn’t even remember speaking to anyone else during the meal – including his wife, Barbara Crook, who was busy chatting with dinner host Cyril Leeder and his wife, Lydia. “He was this glamorous figure who came out of nowhere. “That was dear to his heart.” He was also an Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Armed Forces. With Melnyk’s assistance, the Senators Community Foundation invested more than $100 million to support local charities and community programs that help children and youth across the region. He put in an offer for the Senators after Rod Bryden’s deal to reacquire the franchise was unsuccessful. Melnyk also supported numerous charitable causes, including St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Help Us Help the Children and St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, his alma mater. But he was even more pleased to be an NHL owner. During the NHL 100 Classic celebrations in late 2017, the owner publicly mused about relocating the team, prompting disillusioned fans to launch a #MelnykOut campaign.

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Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk dead at 62 (CTV Edmonton)

Longtime Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has died at age 62. Melnyk passed away on Monday after an illness he faced 'with determination and courage,' ...

"Thank you Eugene for being a difference maker in the City of Ottawa," she wrote. He made his fortune in the pharmaceutical industry as the founder and CEO of Biovail Corporation. In being asked to share their wealth, the big chartered banks and major insurance companies are bracing for the new targeted measure that is expected to increase their corporate income taxes. Three thousand people are living on the streets of Edmonton, the city says. Two years in, local hospitals are still feeling the strain as Ontario enters a new wave of COVID-19. "The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "I want to promise the fans in Ottawa that we will deliver a Stanley Cup one day." The Senators' charity invested more than $100 million in organizations that support children and youth across the region. “Eugene was confident the current team of talented players and coaching staff that he and his organization built will challenge for and eventually deliver on that championship promise.” “That’s the type of guy he is. "He’s someone that brought stability to the Ottawa Senators franchise,” Dorion said. The team said he died peacefully surrounded by his family.

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Eugene Melnyk (1959-2022): 6 moments marquants (Le Journal de Québec)

Décédé lundi à l'âge de 62 ans, Eugene Melnyk a marqué l'histoire des Sénateurs d'Ottawa, même si ses détracteurs étaient nombreux et que l'avenir de la ...

À l’image de nombreuses formations du circuit Bettman, les Sénateurs ont eu l’occasion de tenir une rencontre en plein air et le Canadien de Montréal était aux premières loges pour vivre le tout pleinement. La formation de Chara a eu le dessus 12 à 9 sous les yeux de plus de 20 000 spectateurs. Le 29 décembre 2016, l’ancien numéro 11 est devenu le premier joueur de l’ère moderne des «Sens» à voir son chandail immortalisé. Ils ont notamment décroché un titre de la section Nord-Est en 2005-2006 et au cours de la saison suivante, ils ont participé à la seule finale de la Coupe Stanley de leur histoire. L’homme d’affaires a su aussi attirer des événements prestigieux au domicile du club, aujourd’hui nommé le Centre Canadian Tire. En 2008, l’endroit fut le théâtre du repêchage amateur de la Ligue nationale de hockey (LNH). Cette année-là, le Lightning de Tampa Bay a sélectionné Steven Stamkos au premier rang. Melnyk procède à l’achat d’une concession en difficulté et de son aréna – autrefois nommé le Centre Corel – le 26 août 2003.

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Sénateurs d'Ottawa | Le propriétaire Eugene Melnyk s'est éteint (La Presse)

L'homme d'affaires de 62 ans est décédé « entouré de sa famille », des suites « d'une maladie qu'il a affrontée avec détermination et courage », ont fait ...

» » « Ses chevaux ont remporté plusieurs des prix les plus convoités du sport », dont la Triple Couronne canadienne, indique-t-on dans le communiqué. »

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Eugene Melnyk est mort, qu'adviendra-t-il des Sénateurs? (ICI.Radio-Canada.ca)

Ce propriétaire était un mouton noir dans la LNH, rappelle Martin Leclerc.

Au début des années 2010, les Sénateurs figuraient parmi les 12 organisations les plus vigoureuses de la LNH aux guichets. Par la suite, les affaires de l’organisation se sont mises à décliner jusqu’à devenir catastrophiques au cours des cinq dernières années. Le lien de confiance était brisé. Les Sénateurs d’Ottawa ont perdu leur propriétaire et la LNH voit s’éteindre l’un de ses personnages les plus controversés. Eugene Melnyk était un mouton noir dans la ligue. L’un des nombreux cadres déchus de l’entreprise, l’ex-responsable du marketing Peter O’Leary, avait notamment intenté un recours judiciaire afin de faire respecter son contrat. Les Sénateurs avaient alors lancé un appel au public afin de trouver un donneur vivant compatible.

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Senators owner Eugene Melnyk dead at 62 after an illness | CBC ... (CBC.ca)

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has died from an illness, the team said Monday night. He was 62. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Melnyk was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2017. "He visited the troops in Afghanistan, delivering hockey equipment and souvenirs, and served as Honorary Colonel of the 414 [EWS] Squadron from 2014 to 2019." With Melnyk's assistance, the Senators Community Foundation invested over $100 million to support local charities and community programs that help children and youth across the region. Melnyk also supported numerous charitable causes, including St. Joseph's Health Centre, Help Us Help the Children and St. Michael's College School in Toronto, his alma mater. "While successful in business, it was our game and his Senators that he was most passionate about. I think one of the hardest parts is he won’t get to see what we’ve done to build a winner.” pic.twitter.com/pMvRXk1paY— @frank_seravalli Eugene was confident the current team of talented players and coaching staff that he and his organization built will challenge for and eventually deliver on that championship promise." Melnyk purchased the Senators and Canadian Tire Centre for $130 million US after reaching a deal with creditors. "Eugene never wavered in his desire and commitment to bring the Stanley Cup to the nation's capital. The Senators appeared in the NHL playoffs nine times during Melnyk's ownership tenure. Melnyk, a Toronto native, has owned the Senators since 2003. The cause of death was not immediately known.

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Eugene Melnyk, long-time Ottawa Senators owner, dies at 62 (The Globe and Mail)

The Ottawa Senators made the announcement Monday night. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Melnyk was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2017. “He visited the troops in Afghanistan, delivering hockey equipment and souvenirs, and served as Honorary Colonel of the 414 (EWS) Squadron from 2014 to 2019.” With Melnyk’s assistance, the Senators Community Foundation invested over $100-million to support local charities and community programs that help children and youth across the region. “The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk,” Bettman said. Melnyk also supported numerous charitable causes, including St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Help Us Help the Children and St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, his alma mater. “While successful in business, it was our game and his Senators that he was most passionate about. Eugene was confident the current team of talented players and coaching staff that he and his organization built will challenge for and eventually deliver on that championship promise.” “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 team said in a statement. The Senators appeared in the NHL playoffs nine times during Melnyk’s ownership tenure. Melnyk purchased the Senators and Canadian Tire Centre for US$130-million after reaching a deal with creditors. Melnyk, a Toronto native, has owned the Senators since 2003. The cause of death was not immediately known.

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Senators owner Eugene Melnyk passes away at age of 62 (Sportsnet.ca)

Eugene Melnyk purchased the Senators in 2003, saving the franchise from bankruptcy. During his time as owner, the Senators reached their first and only ...

The Senators Community Foundation has invested more than $100 million into charities and programs that help youth across the capital region, according to the Senators. "The words ‘passion’ and ‘commitment’ define the man who has owned the Ottawa Senators since 2003," Bettman said. “While successful in business, it was our game and his Senators that he was most passionate about," Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, said in a statement mourning Melnyk's passing. "Eugene was confident the current team of talented players and coaching staff that he and his organization built will challenge for and eventually deliver on that championship promise." He retired as the company's chairman in 2007. Melnyk purchased the Senators and what was then known as the Corel Centre, the team's home arena which would later be named the Canadian Tire Centre, in 2003 for $130 million after Rod Bryden's deal to reacquire the franchise was unsuccessful.

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Eugene Melnyk : 6 moments marquants - TVA Sports (TVA Sports)

Décédé lundi à l'âge de 62 ans, Eugene Melnyk a marqué l'histoire des Sénateurs d'Ottawa, même si ses détracteurs étaient nombreux et que l'avenir de la ...

À l’image de nombreuses formations du circuit Bettman, les Sénateurs ont eu l’occasion de tenir une rencontre en plein air et le Canadien de Montréal était aux premières loges pour vivre le tout pleinement. La formation de Chara a eu le dessus 12 à 9 sous les yeux de plus de 20 000 spectateurs. Ils ont notamment décroché un titre de la section Nord-Est en 2005-2006 et au cours de la saison suivante, ils ont participé à la seule finale de la Coupe Stanley de leur histoire. Le 29 décembre 2016, l’ancien numéro 11 est devenu le premier joueur de l’ère moderne des «Sens» à voir son chandail immortalisé. L’homme d’affaires a su aussi attirer des événements prestigieux au domicile du club, aujourd’hui nommé le Centre Canadian Tire. En 2008, l’endroit fut le théâtre du repêchage amateur de la Ligue nationale de hockey (LNH). Cette année-là, le Lightning de Tampa Bay a sélectionné Steven Stamkos au premier rang. Melnyk procède à l’achat d’une concession en difficulté et de son aréna – autrefois nommé le Centre Corel – le 26 août 2003.

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Souvenirs d'Eugene Melnyk (Le Droit)

Eugene Melnyk n'a laissé à peu près personne indifférent dans la capitale nationale au cours de ses deux décennies comme propriétaire des Sénateurs ...

Eugene et le d.g. (Bryan Murray) m’a donné mon premier contrat, ma première chance de jouer dans la LNH. Les choses changent et c’est un nouveau chapitre pour moi. En grandissant à Ottawa, tu sais ce que Eugene et sa famille ont fait pour la ville, pour l’équipe, pour la communauté. Ils ont été impliqués dans tellement de fondations et d’événement caritatifs. «Il faut que ça aille dans le centre-ville d’Ottawa, sur les Plaines LeBreton. C’est comme notre hôpital à Gatineau présentement... Il ne faut pas que le gouvernement fasse des erreurs, il faut que ça revienne au centre-ville. Il avait fait ça pour moi parce que ça venait de son cœur, et ensuite il m’a fait venir prendre des photos de la première communion de ses filles à Toronto, disant à son adjoint à l’époque, Ken Villazor, que j’étais le seul photographe qu’il ‘trustait’», relate-t-il. Il m’a donné ma première chance comme entraîneur (dans la LNH) et je lui en serai toujours reconnaissant.» - l’entraîneur-chef D.J. Smith. Je suis un Islander et fier de l’être. C’est dans le passé, mais j’ai certes d’excellents souvenirs là.» - le Gatinois Jean-Gabriel Pageau, des Islanders de New York. «On a contribué à une des patinoires de la Fondation des Sénateurs érigée ici à Pointe-Gatineau, j’étais impliqué dans le projet des Plaines LeBreton (RendezVous LeBreton) et j’ai eu la chance d’aller à Stockholm, en Suède, lorsque les Sénateurs ont joué là-bas en 2018. J’étais avec l’équipe en 2003 et avec la faillite, il y a plusieurs factures qui n’ont jamais été payées. Moi, j’ai toujours apprécié qu’un bonhomme comme lui est rentré et il a acheté l’équipe et le ‘building’, il nous a sauvés alors que le club aurait très bien pu déménager ailleurs. «Quand j’étais jeune, ma famille était allé à la Barbade en vacances vu que mon père était pilote pour Québécair. Rendu adulte, j’ai voulu y retourner vu que j’en avais de bons souvenirs. Il a sauvé l’équipe lorsqu’il est arrivé, il l’a gardée à Ottawa. C’est certes une triste nouvelle pour l’organisation, mes pensées et mes prières vont à toute sa famille... Il nous quitte très jeune (62 ans), il était un homme d’affaires aguerri. Je lui suis reconnaissant pour ça», a confié Ringuette au Droit mardi, après avoir rendu hommage au disparu en publiant plusieurs photos sur sa page FaceBook.

Plusieurs personnalités rendent hommage à Eugene Melnyk ... (L'Hebdo Journal)

L'équipe d'Ottawa a annoncé tard lundi que le magnat des affaires et du sport était décédé à l'âge de 62 ans, à Toronto. «C ...

«Il a parfois été controversé dans les médias, mais c’était quelque chose que nous admirions et respections chez lui. «Eugene Melnyk était une vraie figure sportive du Canada, l’un de nos principaux propriétaires et un ami cher de Woodbine et de l’industrie des courses de chevaux ici en Ontario, a déclaré mardi le chef de la direction de Woodbine Entertainment, Jim Lawson. Je pense que l’un des aspects les plus tristes de son décès est qu’il ne pourra pas voir tout le travail que nous avons tous fait ensemble pour mettre en place une équipe gagnante.» «Nous voulons simplement faire de notre mieux. La Commission des valeurs mobilières de l’Ontario a infligé une amende à Melnyk et lui a interdit d’occuper des postes de direction dans des entreprises publiques pendant cinq ans en 2011 en raison d’une conduite «contraire à l’intérêt public». Il nous manquera, a dit le commissaire de la LNH, Gary Bettman. Il a acheté le club à un moment difficile, l’a stabilisé et l’a rendu compétitif. Il a toujours été passionné par le hockey.»

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Senators owner Eugene Melnyk dead at 62 after an illness | CBC ... (CBC.ca)

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has died from an illness, the team said Monday night. He was 62. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Melnyk was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2017. "He visited the troops in Afghanistan, delivering hockey equipment and souvenirs, and served as Honorary Colonel of the 414 [EWS] Squadron from 2014 to 2019." With Melnyk's assistance, the Senators Community Foundation invested over $100 million to support local charities and community programs that help children and youth across the region. Melnyk also supported numerous charitable causes, including St. Joseph's Health Centre, Help Us Help the Children and St. Michael's College School in Toronto, his alma mater. "While successful in business, it was our game and his Senators that he was most passionate about. I think one of the hardest parts is he won’t get to see what we’ve done to build a winner.” pic.twitter.com/pMvRXk1paY— @frank_seravalli Eugene was confident the current team of talented players and coaching staff that he and his organization built will challenge for and eventually deliver on that championship promise." Melnyk purchased the Senators and Canadian Tire Centre for $130 million US after reaching a deal with creditors. "Eugene never wavered in his desire and commitment to bring the Stanley Cup to the nation's capital. The Senators appeared in the NHL playoffs nine times during Melnyk's ownership tenure. Melnyk, a Toronto native, has owned the Senators since 2003. The cause of death was not immediately known.

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Image courtesy of "CBSSports.com"

Eugene Melnyk, owner of Ottawa Senators, dead at 62 (CBSSports.com)

While Melnyk was owner, Ottawa advanced to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final and the Eastern Conference finals in 2017.

The statement continued, saying, "While successful in business, it was our game and his Senators that he was most passionate about. "The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. The words 'passion' and 'commitment' define the man who has owned the Ottawa Senators since 2003. Senators winger Brady Tkachuk took to Twitter to share his thoughts on Melnyk's death, writing "Mr. Melnyk provided me, my teammates, and many Sens players who came before us with an opportunity to live out our dream.

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