Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has been an outspoken and sometimes controversial voice in the NHL. At times he seems larger than life. Yet, on Thursday, we were reminded that he is a human being just like us.
Melnyk had been absent from the public eye throughout much of the Senators' historic second half run and into the playoffs. On Thursday, the team released a statement as to why:
Today, the club wishes to share with the hockey community and our fans that Mr. Melnyk has been sick and battling major health issues since mid-January.