“Quite a bit has occurred, however the one factor that has occurred is I’ve fallen in love with the town,” Michael Andlauer says.
Article content material
Michael Andlauer meant no hurt to followers of the Ottawa Senators.
Article content material
Article content material
The Senators proprietor instructed a bunch of reporters earlier than the puck was dropped for a recreation towards the Washington Capitals on Thursday evening on the Canadian Tire Centre that he was dedicated to bringing a Stanley Cup to this metropolis and that, on Monday, he was merely was making an attempt to develop the fanbase in Quebec Metropolis.
Commercial 2
Article content material
Followers on the social-media website X have been fuming when the membership posted an image of its mascot, Spartacat, the Senators’ ambassador of enjoyable, sporting a jersey break up between Ottawa colors and people of the previous Quebec Nordiques.
Andlauer made it clear, simply as he did Monday, that he had no plans of relocating the Senators to Quebec Metropolis and that he was dedicated to getting a deal achieved with the Nationwide Capital Fee at LeBreton Flats and protecting the Nationwide Hockey League crew in Ottawa.
“To me, integrity is all the things. After I purchased this crew, I mentioned I didn’t personal this crew and I used to be simply the caretaker. It’s been an unimaginable 18 months,” Andlauer mentioned. “Quite a bit has occurred, however the one factor that has occurred is I’ve fallen in love with the town.
“I purchased a home, I’m placing an extension on that home, and my love for this metropolis is genuine. I really like all the things about this metropolis and I hope to retire on this metropolis. I’m all-in for this metropolis. Take me at my phrase as a result of I really like this metropolis, I really like the followers and I discovered quite a bit from this expertise.”
Andlauer mentioned he needed to satisfy with reporters to “clear the air on the place I used to be coming from in Quebec Metropolis” as a result of he didn’t understand the sensitivity of the market in Ottawa.
Sports activities
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
“I heard snippets from the previous, however I didn’t respect the previous,” Andlauer mentioned. “Disgrace on me for that.”
He famous the rationale the Senators had opted to play two preseason video games in Quebec Metropolis subsequent fall was as a result of he was making an attempt to develop the membership’s fanbase. He famous that Quebec Metropolis was a media marketplace for the Ottawa franchise and he was making an attempt to get extra francophone followers to observe the membership.
“We’re the one different crew (than the Montreal Canadiens) that’s really a bilingual crew,” Andlauer mentioned. “Regardless that the earlier possession didn’t actually pay a lot consideration (to the francophone group), that is low-hanging fruit for us to generate extra income and extra followers of the Ottawa Senators.”
Andlauer is aware of it was a misstep to not shut down dialogue of taking part in regular-season video games in Quebec Metropolis. Later within the dialog, he famous that this may doubtless by no means occur, he didn’t know the Senators have been near transferring 5 regular-season video games there two years in the past.
“I used to be adamant I used to be staying in Ottawa,” Andlauer mentioned. “After I was requested concerning the regular-season video games, I hadn’t actually considered it. I simply mentioned if we are able to play in Sweden, we are able to play in Quebec Metropolis. I mentioned that was an NHL resolution and never my resolution.
Commercial 4
Article content material
“I didn’t give it some thought. That is the place I erred. I don’t dwell on the previous and I didn’t understand there was speak about taking part in 5 video games in there. I didn’t know that. I respect the way in which the followers reacted as a result of they don’t know me. Over time they are going to determine it out.
“One factor I’ve realized is there may be numerous scar tissue with our followers, and I didn’t understand that till I noticed the response. The silver lining is hockey is deep-rooted on this metropolis and our followers are passionate, and let’s keep passionate. This wasn’t achieved out of disrespect”
What would Andlauer do in a different way?
“The jersey first,” Andlauer mentioned of Spartacat . “I didn’t even know concerning the jersey.”
He mentioned the concept to have the spliced jersey got here from the Senators’ advertising and marketing crew and president Cyril Leeder. He mentioned they have been making an attempt to attraction to Nordiques followers with the enduring emblem.
Andlauer additionally needed to dismiss the notion this was some form of veiled message to the Nationwide Capital Fee to rush up and get a deal achieved on LeBreton Flats or he’d transfer the crew elsewhere.
After the NCC wrapped its board of administrators assembly final week, chief govt officer Tobi Nussbaum instructed reporters that talks to finalize the sale of 10 acres of land to the Senators continued with a hope of finishing the deal by the tip of 2025.
Commercial 5
Article content material
The 2 sides reached an settlement in precept on Sept. 20, 2024. Below its phrases, the Senators would buy 10 acres of land at LeBreton Flats to construct a brand new rink and an enviornment district, together with eating places and bars.
Since then, the Senators and NCC officers have been negotiating throughout this “due diligence” interval. Andlauer mentioned he wasn’t making an attempt to ship a message to the NCC to get the deal achieved quicker and the media convention was deliberate months in the past.
“There was no considered enviornment negotiations. It didn’t even daybreak on me,” Andlauer mentioned. “So let’s put that apart straight away. There was no leverage there. It’s not even shut. This isn’t about my negotiations with the NCC. You discuss to Tobi, ask what sort of negotiator I’m. I’m not about making an attempt to steal one thing. I’m not that man
“Individuals who know me know I’m up-front and typically an excessive amount of. They’ve received their very own points (on the NCC), however I’m dedicated to it. LeBreton is an ideal place. There are every kind of compelling causes, and I’ll all the time do what’s finest for my followers. I noticed that hypothesis (about sending a message) and I assumed, ‘Wow, it was unimaginable.’”
bgarrioch@postmedia.com
Article content material
