The Senators Sports and Entertainment announced the official approval of Ottawa Senators to Michael Andlauer, CEO of Andlauer Healthcare Group, earlier today after a unanimous decision by the NHL Board of Governors.
“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,” Andlauer said in a statement.
NHL’s Board of Governors approves sale of Ottawa Senators. https://t.co/bv0Z7Lrdzb pic.twitter.com/yL5TZ2vMFA
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 21, 2024
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Michael Andlauer, a minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens, succeeded after multiple attempts, including selling his 10 percent stake to Geoff Molson, the Habs Majority Owner. Andlauer’s bidding group, which included Anna and Olivia Melnyk, the daughters of the late Eugene Melnyk, who will retain a 10 percent stake in the team, joined forces and made a record-breaking $950 million bid.
Other members of the group were Ottawa-based businessman Jeff York, the Ottawa real estate-focused Malhotra family, Toronto-based investment group Yorkville Asset Management, Alinea Group Holdings owners Paul and Michael Paletta, and Rocco Tullio, the owner of the Oshawa Generals.
Mr. Andlauer, who’s also the proprietor of the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs, 2021-22 OHL Champions, becomes the fourth owner in the history of Ottawa Senators. Bruce Firestone, Rod Bryden, and Eugene Melnyk were the first three owners of the team.
Ottawa Senators, started out as an expansion team in 1992-93 season, is the second franchise to use the Ottawa Senators name. The Sens haven’t won a Stanley Cup yet, coming close to one in 2006-07 when they lost to Anaheim Ducks in Game 5 of the Finals. They have made 16 playoff appearances which included 4 division titles, 1 conference championship and a President’s Trophy.
The Andlauer ownership will be facing the test of time as the team hasn’t been performing well in the past half-decade. The Sens haven’t qualified for the playoffs in the last six years, the third most active post-season drought in the league.
