Latest Update - 05/08/20
Ottawa Senators provide options for ticket holders during NHL pause
OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators today announced it will be providing options for fans with tickets for scheduled games during the remainder of the 2019-2020 NHL season. While the season is on pause and the Ottawa Senators continue to actively work with the NHL on all possible options for a resumption of play, we understand that many ticket holders are looking for flexibility due to these unprecedented times.
The Ottawa Senators wish to assure our fans that they will not lose the value of the tickets they have purchased, whether those were individual tickets or season seats.
Members of the Ottawa Senators business team will be reaching out to our ticket holders starting next week to begin providing information on how ticket holders can enhance the value of their investment through credit towards their renewal for next season, or details about how refunds may be obtained.
For those who have purchased tickets through ticketmaster.ca, requests for refunds or credits applicable to games next season may be obtained by logging into your Ticketmaster account and making a request on-line starting today. The box office Canadian Tire Centre will accommodate requests upon a reopening of business.
"We are continuing to do everything possible to bring back Ottawa Senators hockey and welcome our fans back to Canadian Tire Centre," said Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. "As we all continue to face extraordinary challenges related to COVID-19, and while the NHL continues to explore options for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season, the Senators are grateful for the continued loyalty of our fans. As an organization, we want to show our appreciation by extending support for your unwavering faith."
The health and safety of Ottawa Senators fans, partners and staff remain our highest priority and we encourage everyone to continue prioritizing your health, and that of others, as we navigate these difficult days. Today, we can make decisions that can help protect one another, and we urge you to do what you can to help your family, friends, neighbours and community stay healthy.
04/2/20
Capital Sports commits to supporting staff during the COVID-19 pandemic
The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the Ontario government's order to close all non-essential businesses have regrettably forced Capital Sports & Entertainment to take measures to ensure operational continuity, including temporary employee reductions.
Effective April 5, which would have marked the end of the Ottawa Senators NHL season, our full-time workforce will be reduced, and the hours of some of the staff will be furloughed.
To reduce the financial impact on those employees being temporarily laid off, Capital Sports has created an unemployment plan that will supplement employment insurance benefits until July 3, 2020, up to a minimum of 80 percent of base salary. The temporary layoffs of full-time employees will begin after all accumulated vacation days are used. For those not temporarily laid off, Capital Sports will place some employees on furlough while others will have their salaries reduced. Employee health benefits will continue uninterrupted until normal business operations resume. As federal and provincial government policy changes in ways that may benefit employees, we will evaluate how to best apply those changes to our organization.
The measures announced today are in addition to owner Eugene Melnyk's previous personal pledge to pay the income for part-time and hourly arena staff of the Ottawa Senators and the AHL Belleville Senators through to the end of their respective seasons. Mr. Melnyk has today extended that commitment to pay part-time and hourly arena workers what they would have earned for all scheduled event shifts through the month of April.
"Our employees have continued to work with dedication during these difficult times," said Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. "We want to thank them for their continued loyalty by providing support, as we all face extraordinary challenges. Although the sports and entertainment industry is being impacted severely, we will pull through by staying committed together. I look forward to the day when it is safe to reopen our doors and welcome back employees, fans and community partners."
04/1/20
Ottawa Senators Update
Four additional members of the Ottawa Senators organization who travelled to California before the NHL season pause tested positive for COVID-19.
Members of the team and staff self-isolated on Friday, March 13, and are all doing well. All test results have now been received, and all those who tested positive have recovered.
The Ottawa Senators' medical team continues to monitor players and staff and are following all appropriate and professional guidelines to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and the greater community.
03/21/20
Senators player tests positive for COVID-19
An Ottawa Senators player has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The player has had mild symptoms and is in isolation. MORE
03/17/20
Eugene Melnyk pledges financial support to part-time employees during the NHL pause
Further to yesterday's statement on part-time staff support, Capital Sports & Entertainment can confirm the following program details:
Eugene Melnyk, owner of the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators and the American Hockey League's Belleville Senators, has personally pledged to pay part-time and hourly workers the income they would have otherwise received during the suspension of play due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting state of emergency in Ontario.
Accordingly, Ottawa Senators part-time arena staff will receive income for the shifts scheduled through to and including April 4, the end of the NHL regular season. At the same time, Mr. Melnyk has personally committed to paying part-time arena employees of the Belleville Senators through to April 11, the end of the AHL regular season, and the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Capital Sports & Entertainment and Mr. Melnyk continue to support and encourage our staff to practise safe health protocols during these unprecedented times.
03/16/20
On March 12, the NHL announced a pause of the regular season in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are advising all ticket holders to please hold on to your tickets as they will remain valid should the season resume and the games be rescheduled.
We understand you have a range of questions regarding your purchase, we appreciate your patience during this time as we work with the NHL and other public health agencies to determine next steps. We will continue to provide regular updates as they become available.
Ottawa Senators Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
Nothing is more important to us than our fans and the Ottawa community. With this in mind, we would like to share the following information based on questions we are receiving from fans to help keep you informed on matters resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Where can I get information on the Coronavirus?
The most accurate and up-to-date information on the coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found through Canada's public health authorities.
NHL 2019-20 Season
The coronavirus pandemic has created great uncertainty for communities. No timeline currently exists for resuming games.
Where can I get information on when the Ottawa Senators games will resume?
The NHL will provide direction on all NHL-sanctioned events, including games, the upcoming draft lottery and 2020 NHL entry draft. Once any decisions have been made by the League, fans will be updated.
Please see the NHL statement on the coronavirus here: https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-coronavirus-status/c-316155530
Canadian Tire Centre Events and Services
Are events taking place at Canadian Tire Centre during the pandemic?
To ensure all measures are taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Canadian Tire Centre is postponing all events until further notice.
Decisions on future event dates will be made by the event promoters and the NHL and will be communicated to fans as soon as possible.
The health and safety of our community, patrons and staff remain our top priority as this situation continues to develop. We will continue to take advice of public health authorities with the highest priority on keeping our community safe.
Is Canadian Tire Centre open to the public?
No. The Canadian Tire Centre is closed to the public at this time. Only pass holding staff may enter the facility. The public will be informed when it reopens.
In the Community
Are the Sensplexes open to the public?
The Sensplex facilities are closed to the public until further notice. After consulting with partners and public health officials, the decision was made to cancel activities scheduled to take place at the Sensplex facilities over the next week. Updates will be made available as soon as information on rescheduling and/or refunds become available.
Is the foundation holding events?
All in-person events are postponed to help reduce the spread of the virus.
