When Michael Andlauer took over as owner of the Ottawa Senators at the start of the 2023-24 NHL season, he set exactly the right tone for the organization. Andlauer told the city's fan base he wanted the Senators to be, in every way, "Best in Class."
But at the time, the team he purchased was anything but. It was a fixer-upper.
So his first season as a rookie NHL owner resembled an HGTV show, where they encounter poor workmanship, damage and neglect. Then they declutter and strip things down to the studs, and finally hire professionals to properly build things back up.
In his second season, Andlauer stayed committed to doing things the right way, treating people kindly and respectfully, and generally being "Best in Class."
And then the wheels of progress finally began to turn.
The Senators returned to the playoffs for the first time in eight years, but even before that, their customer satisfaction rate among fans and corporate supporters was night and day from where it was two years ago.
Less than a week after an exciting first-round loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Andlauer put pen to paper and wrote an open letter to the fans.
Sens fans,
Even though our season ended sooner than we liked, I wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your unwavering and amazing support.
Your passion was on full display at our home games in the playoffs. I've never seen anything like the ovation inside Canadian Tire Centre when we tied game 6 in the third period.
I'm not sure there is another fan base that would have stayed in their seats to cheer on their team after they were eliminated.
If the empty net goal by Ridly Greig was the highlight from last year, certainly your passion and appreciation in game 6 – which sent shivers down my spine – was the highlight of this season.
When I purchased this team with my partners, I knew the grassroots of hockey ran deep in Ottawa-Gatineau. But I have come to realize that this is by far the most underrated hockey market in the world.
Our fan base is authentic and it's the perfect match for this roster, which we've built on honesty, genuine care, and work ethic.
We took a great foundational step forward this season and I am so thankful to our architect, Steady' Steve Staios (as you fans have eloquently dubbed him) for his hard work and vision. And to Travis Green and his coaching staff for giving our players the ability to thrive. Ultimately, our players stepped up and worked harder and cared more for each other.
Our dressing room has a family atmosphere we have not seen in a while and the players are the ones who deserve your praise.
This team has made Ottawa-Gatineau proud and this city responded in such an incredible way that I am so proud to call this home!
Thanks for coming along for the ride.
We're just getting started.
Go Sens Go!
Michael Andlauer,
Owner, Ottawa Senators Hockey Club
Bowness’ Reported Departure Marks Big Shift In Staios’ Vision For Ottawa’s Front OfficeFive days after the Ottawa Senators were eliminated from the postseason, significant changes are already on the horizon for the organization's hockey operations department.