Eugene Melnyk 'very hopeful' for Ottawa outdoor game; wants Parliament Hill location
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said he was “very hopeful” the city of Ottawa will be awarded an outdoor game, preferably in 2017.
And he wants that game to be held on Parliament Hill.
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Said Melnyk during a TSN interview at Ottawa’s game against the New Jersey Devils:
“Well I’m hoping it happens, I’ve been talking to the NHL league office and Gary Bettman for years. We’ve known this date is coming. It’s going to be a huge date for Canada. I would love to see it somewhere around Parliament Hill. I want to see that sweet shot from the air of the stadium, wherever it is and somewhere in there you want Parliament Hill. “
TSN’s James Duthie then asked if Melnyk wanted the game on the front lawn of Parliament Hill.
Why not? Do it anywhere, wherever the fans want it, but our number one priority is to get the game in Ottawa. That’s not easy, but if we get that then comes the next step of where do we play?
In an interview with the Ottawa Sun in September, Sens president Cyril Leeder gave a few location possibilities for an outdoor game.
"There's some other options. The league is reviewing some pop-up stadium concepts where you can put a stadium up anywhere. They do this now for concerts so can you do this now for an outdoor game? That would give some opportunities for different backdrops, whether it's along the (Rideau) canal, Lebreton Flats or Parliament Hill, those are some options that are possibilities."
He also said Parliament Hill “would be a unique backdrop” if it could work. The year 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the Senators franchise.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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