Sale of Senators to Andlauer completed

*Photo from the Globe and Mail*

   The transition is officially done. The sale of the Ottawa Senators to Toronto billionaire Michael Andlauer was approved by the NHL Board of Governors, officially completing the purchase of the team.

   Andlauer said in a statement that "The Ottawa Senators Hockey Club is an amazing organization, from the players, to the staff, to the most passionate fanbase in the game. My family and I are thrilled to officially be a part of Ottawa’s team and the Ottawa-Gatineau community. Thank you to the NHL and the Melnyk family for the opportunity to make this a reality and entrusting me to steward this remarkable franchise into the future. Thank you also to my equity partners and advisors on the transaction, who like me are aligned and committed to bringing on and off-ice success to the National Capital Region. I cannot wait to get to Ottawa and get things officially started. It is an incredibly exciting time for the franchise, fans and the community. Go Sens go!"

   When previous owner Eugene Melnyk passed away in March of 2022, his daughters Anna and Olivia put the majority stake in ownership up for sale. Andlauer will now assume control of the team operations, while Anna and Olivia Melnyk retain a 10 percent stake in ownership.

   Prior to the sale, Andlauer was a minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens and is the current owner of the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL. Andlauer reached an agreement to buy the team in June for a reported $950 million.

   Senators outgoing chairman and governor Sheldon Plener said in a statement that "On behalf of the estate, Anna and Olivia Melnyk and the outgoing board, we want to congratulate Michael Andlauer on his purchase of the Ottawa Senators. Michael’s passion and dedication to excellence will allow him to do great things for the entire National Capital Region and we’re proud to see him lead this franchise into the future."

   Andlauer previously owned the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, who won a Calder Cup in 2007 under his ownership. In 2015, he bought the OHL's Belleville Bulls and relocated them to Hamilton, with the franchise winning OHL titles in 2018 and 2022.

   Under Eugene Melnyk's ownership, the Senators reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2007, losing in 5 games to the Anaheim Ducks. They have not made the playoffs since 2016-2017, when they fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Final.