Ex-MLSE executive Anselmi joins Sens

OTTAWA— Tom Anselmi couldn’t resist the chance to put his mark on another Canadian NHL franchise.

The Ottawa Senators made a significant change to their front office Wednesday, hiring Anselmi as chief executive officer and president. He replaces Cyril Leeder, who had held the position of president since 2009.

Anselmi most recently worked for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment where he held a number of titles during his 17-year tenure with the organization including chief operating officer, executive vice-president and president. The 60-year-old resigned from MLSE in 2013.

Anselmi’s bio says he is well known for his arena and real estate projects and is credited with helping deliver Toronto’s Air Canada Centre on time and on budget.

“The opportunity was too interesting to pass up,” Anselmi said.

Melnyk said the decision to go in a new direction was made last April following the Senators winning the city’s bid for the downtown LeBreton Flats development project, which will include a new arena.

“The fact is it is a massive, massive project that will rebuild all of downtown Ottawa and we take it very seriously and for that you need someone with experience and I think Tom brings that,” said Melnyk.

Anselmi will also be taking a close look at the organization’s current structure as the team struggles to put fans in seats. While the Senators have been competitive on the ice lately, attendance at the Canadian Tire Centre, ranks in the bottom third in the league.

“I don’t have any preconceived notions,” said Anselmi. “Personally it’s about organizational excellence, it’s about doing your best, it’s about being the best experience you can be for your fans, it’s about being a great place to work and those kind of things which are the basics for how I like to lead. I don’t know to what extent that all exists here, but we’ll find out.”