The Ottawa Senators and the wider hockey community are mourning the loss of Mel Bridgman, the franchise's first general manager, who has died at the age of 70.
Architect of a Modern Franchise
Mel Bridgman was appointed as the inaugural GM for the revived Ottawa Senators, tasked with the monumental challenge of building a competitive team from the ground up. His most visible act in this role came on June 18, 1992, when he represented the Senators at the NHL expansion draft in Montreal, meticulously selecting the players who would form the team's original roster.
This moment, captured in a historic Canadian Press photograph, marked the official rebirth of the Senators in the National Hockey League. Bridgman's leadership during this foundational period set the course for the team's future, establishing a professional hockey presence in Canada's capital that endures to this day.
A Lasting Legacy in Hockey
Before his executive career, Bridgman was a formidable player, known for his tenacity and skill on the ice. Selected first overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft, he enjoyed a prolific playing career that also included stints with the Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, and Vancouver Canucks.
His transition from player to executive was a natural progression, culminating in his pivotal role with the expansion Senators. The news of his passing was confirmed on November 9, 2025, sending waves of remembrance throughout the hockey world.
Bridgman's contribution to the Ottawa Senators is indelible, as he laid the administrative and competitive groundwork for the team. His work in the early 1990s helped cultivate a new generation of hockey fans in Ottawa and cemented the Senators' place in the modern NHL landscape.
