Michael Andlauer has officially been introduced as the new owner of the Ottawa Senators and the Belleville Senators.
Andlauer addressed the media at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa a day after the NHL made his purchase of the club official.
During his speech, Andlauer discussed the Belleville Senators.
“I’ve been already into Belleville. Met many of the members of the team there, even including the mayor,” Andlauer told media members.
“(I) assured him that I’m keeping the team in Belleville. It’s a hockey town and I spent a number of years watching the team. I know how important this team is to the community and how important they are to the overall strategy of the Ottawa Senators.”
Andlauer previously purchased the OHL’s Belleville Bulls in 2015 and moved the team to Hamilton to become the Hamilton Bulldogs.
On the day of Andlauer’s purchase of the Ottawa Senators becoming official, Andlauer published a letter stating his excitement for being a part of the Belleville franchise.
“My partners and I take our responsibility to this team very seriously,” Andlauer said in the letter.
“This team belongs to Belleville and the Bay of Quinte.”
The sale price for the Ottawa Senators franchise was US$950 million, the highest amount ever paid for an NHL franchise.
The club was officially put up for sale on November 7, 2022 after previous owner Eugene Melnyk died on March 28, 2022. Melynk’s daughters have retained 10 per cent of the team.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
