An important date in the history of this organization is December 5, 1990. Coincidentally, that happens to be Walt Disney’s birthday, which is so fitting for a narrative worthy of being turned into one of those inspirational Disney movies.
Ottawa’s bidding team of Terrace Investments President Bruce Firestone, Terrace CEO Cyril Leeder, Terrace Vice President Randy Sexton, city mayor Jim Durrell, and accountant Gary Burns met with the NHL Board of Governors in West Palm Beach to convince them of the viability of Ottawa as an NHL city.
It was the capital of Canada, after all, and although Ontario already had the Maple Leafs, the city was rich in hockey lore, having the original Ottawa Senators play in the very first NHL game.