Michael Andlauer is officially the new owner of the Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senatorsofficially have anew owner.

The saleto a group led by Toronto-based businessman Michael Andlauerhas the NHL'sstamp of approval, according to anews release from the league.

The NHL board of governors unanimously approvedthe sale, and the transaction closed Thursday.

The board of directors of Senators Sports & Entertainmentbegan work to sell the teamlast November afterthe death of owner Eugene Melnyk in March 2022.

The group led by Andlauer was announced as the successful bid back in June after a months-long process and multiple offers from groups including Ryan Reynolds and Snoop Dogg.

Melnyk, who purchased the team and Canadian Tire Centrein 2003 for $130 million US,left the franchise to his daughters Anna and Olivia. The sisters would keep 10 per cent of the team.

Andlauer's group, which sources said at the time of the deal also includethe Malhotra family of Ottawa-based developer Claridge Homes and Jeff York of the Farm Boy grocery chain, gets 90 per cent.

The 57-year-old Andlauerhas beena minority owner of the Montreal Canadienssince 2009 and owns the Brantford Bulldogs junior hockey team, whichhe bought and moved from Bellevilleto Hamilton in 2015.

Before that, he had an ownership stake in an American Hockey League team in Hamilton dating back to 2003.

He hasfounded andledtransportation and health-care companies, along with theBulldog Capital Partners merchant bank.

Team making moves

The Senators have beenbusythis off-season, trading 25-year-old winger Alex DeBrincatto Detroitafter a single season with the team, forDominik Kubalik, prospect defenceman Donovan Sebrango and two draft picks.

After missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year since making the Eastern Conference finalin 2017, the team has locked up a young core, includingsigning 21-year-old defenseman Jake Sanderson to an eight-year deal worth just over $8 million per year.

The team alsosigned veteran scorer Vladimir Tarasenkoafter losing DeBrincat.

Ottawa's pre-season starts Sept. 24 and its regular season on Oct. 11 in Carolina. The home opener is Oct. 14.

Now about that arena

The team has been working on a replacement for the 27-year-old Canadian Tire Centre in the west Ottawa suburb of Kanata.

It reacheda deal about a year ago totake another crackata new arena onLeBreton Flatsat the edge of downtown thoughNHL Commissioner Gary BettmanandOttawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffehavemused abouta different central location.

Moshe Lander, a professor in the department of economics at Concordia University in Montreal said at the time the sale was announced that the arena should be ownership's top priority.

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