EX-SENATORS PRESIDENT SAW IT COMING
Leeder says he has no hard feeling as he exits club after 25 years, writes Bruce Garrioch
An emotional Cyril Leeder stopped by the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday afternoon for one fond, final farewell before he steps out of the spotlight.
The former Senators president, who was replaced by former Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment executive Tom Anselmi on Wednesday, told reporters he saw the decision by owner Eugene Melnyk coming, but after being with the organization since its inception, it was difficult just the same. He said he has no hard feelings. “Nothing would make me happier than to see the team win,” Leeder said.
Part of the group that founded the Senators with Bruce Firestone and Randy Sexton, Leeder was always aware this day could come.
“In business, you get good at reading signs, and you need to be,” said Leeder, who met with Melnyk and alternate governor Sheldon Plener on Tuesday morning when they delivered the news. “I’d be disingenuous if I didn’t say I saw signs of this coming.
“But you’re never really prepared for that kind of news.”
Leeder had been moved to the background for the past seven or eight months. He hasn’t spoken much publicly and it wasn’t hard to see there was a disconnect with Melnyk.
He isn’t sure why the owner lost confidence in his ability to lead this team into its next phase, with the massive LeBreton Flats project on the horizon.
“That’s a question I’ve asked a lot myself,” Leeder said. “Everybody is looking for a reason and I listened to some of the comments yesterday as well.
“In business, sometimes you make a change. You don’t need a reason to make a change, you just make a change. It’s a cold, hard fact in business, and people in the sports business should know better than anybody because they’ll change coaches just because we need to make a change.
“I absolutely understand that and I’ve always known that. I respect, understand and acknowledge that Eugene has the absolute right to make that change, and he did. He doesn’t need to give me a reason and he doesn’t need to give the public a reason. I’ve got no issues with that. I respect that. It’s his decision.”
Leeder said he just wishes that the club had brought a title to the dedicated fan base in Ottawa during his 25 years with the Senators.
“I didn’t want to let you and that passion down,” Leeder told the fans in his remarks. “My only regret, and it really is the only regret I have, is that during my tenure we weren’t able to reward that support with a Stanley Cup.”
He fought back tears when he addressed his family — his wife Lydia and the couple’s three children.
“You’re never really actually on holiday and that always meant compromises for the family,” Leeder said. “You were always hoping I’d be around for a few extra hours a week. Careful what you wish for.”
Leeder isn’t sure what’s next, but he has no political aspirations.
“For the first time in 32 years, I’m an unrestricted free agent, in hockey terms, so I’ve got some work to do there,” said Leeder, who is a co-chair of the bid for the 2021 Canada Summer Games. “I’m hopeful there will be some opportunities here in Ottawa. I love the city. It’s my home.
“This would be a great place to continue my career, but I recognize
My only regret, and it really is my only regret I have, is that during my tenure we weren’t able to reward that support with a Stanley Cup.
I’ve got a fairly unique skill set that may require me to move outside of Ottawa, so I’ll have to look at that as well.”
He said people shouldn’t fret about the way the firing went down.
“It’s disappointing, but there’s no good timing on that kind of news. How would you fit that in? Last year. Next year? It’s going be disappointing no matter what,” he said.
Leeder was there on the ground floor to see the Senators come from a place where they were laughed at when the bid to bring the team back was announced in 1989 to a place where they’re a respected organization in the league that competes every year.
“It’s really been a great journey for the organization and I’ve been able to be part of that,” said Leeder, who noted he’s proud of the fact the club has raised more than $110 million for the community.
Leeder walked out the door with his head held high.