(Ottawa) Around this time last year, Michael Andlauer got off his plane and jumped into the vehicle of Ottawa businessman Jeff York. They headed to a restaurant where they talked for hours.
The results of this conversation resulted in Andlauer becoming the majority shareholder of the Senators.
The Senators ownership group shares the same goal, which is to win the Stanley Cup.
Andlauer paid US$950 million to acquire the Senators.
PHOTO FRED CHARTRAND, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
The majority shareholder of the Ottawa Senators, Michael Andlauer
Andlauer was quick to mention how important involvement in the Ottawa and Gatineau community will be to the team’s success.
“Together we will make this city proud,” Andlauer said.
York is not new to the world of hockey, having gone to Princeton University on a hockey scholarship, in addition to having his brother, Jason, who played more than 10 years in the NHL.
York said the Jets are a model for the Senators to follow as they move forward.
The local ownership group is led by York and Ottawa businessman and consultant Ted Wagstaff. After rising through the ranks for two decades at retailer Giant Tiger, York, as a partner, led the sale of Farm Boy to Empire Company (Sobey’s) in 2018, for $800 million, and retained a 5 share % in the string.
The new ownership group had its first meeting together Friday before Saturday’s home opener.
The Senators were put up for sale on November 7, 2022, following the death of Eugene Melnyk.
“It was a generational opportunity to reshape this city,” Wagstaff said.
The Senators team has something to give its fans hope for the years to come. All that remains to be seen is when the Ontario team will finally be back in the playoffs.
The Senators have not made the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2016-17 season. Since then, it was the first time last season that the team did not finish in the two worst in its section.