Melnyk bought the Senators in 2003 and brought with him a commitment to winning, making the Stanley Cup Final in 2007 and Eastern Conference Final in 2017.
On Sunday, the first home game since the news of his death, the team played a video montage of Melnyk, complete with pictures of his days playing youth hockey, up to and including his off-ice charity work and love for being the owner of the Senators.
The team also wore special patches on their left shoulders with the initials "EM" on them.
"The Ottawa Senators mourn the loss of our owner and biggest fan," the public adrress announcer at Canadian Tire Center said to the crowd ahead of a game against the Detroit Red Wings. "Eugene Melnyk bought the Senators in 2003 and ushered in a era of stability while honoring his commitment to keep the Senators in Ottawa.
Near the end of the video, Melnyk was shown at a press conference congratulating forward Brady Tkachuck on becoming the 10th captain in Senators history.
After the video, a moment of silence was held in the arena with a lone spotlight shining on a chair displaying his last name.
