PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
November 9, 2025Â Â (5:51 PM)
Photo credit: Hockey Feed
Back in 1975, Mel Bridgman was the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft, and afterwards was the first GM of the Senators, but now, he has tragically passed.
The NHL these days has been shaped by some incredible people both on and off the ice, and for the most part, those in the front offices come from successful playing careers.
That can be said for the first General Manager of the Ottawa Senators, Mel Bridgman, who was the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft back in 1975, going on to play in 977 games for the Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks.
Mel Bridgman Passes Away At Age 70
Tragically, Bridgman passed away this weekend, and unsurprisingly, the tributes flowed in over social media given the impact he had on so many organizations in the NHL throughout his life.
The most important tribute came from the Senators, with whom Bridgman was an iconic GM for this team as they officially entered the NHL, with the organization clearly meaning so much to Bridgman, and vice versa.
The Ottawa Senators are saddened to learn that Mel Bridgman has passed away.
After a stellar playing career in the NHL, Mel served as our first general manager when we returned to the NHL for the 1992-93 season. He presided over our inaugural entry draft, where the club selected Alexei Yashin with the second overall selection.
The Ottawa Senators organization sends its deepest sympathies to Mel’s loved ones at this difficult time.
We too take our time to send our condolences to the friends, family, former teammates and executives of Bridgman, and to any lives he touched during his time both on and off the ice in the NHL.
Rest in Peace, Mel Bridgman.
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First GM of the Ottawa Senators Passes Away at the Age of 70
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