Senators owner Eugene Melnyk needs liver transplant

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk urgently needs a liver transplant, and the team put out a call Thursday for potential donors.

The team says Melnyk was admitted to a hospital three weeks ago due to ''liver-related complications.'' His family has reached out to close friends and relatives with the hope of finding a suitable donor candidate, but with no success.

The team says the 55-year-old Melnyk has been sick since mid-January. He's been absent from the Senators' surprising playoff run.

The Senators have been hit hard with health issues. Assistant coach Mark Reeds died of cancer last month, and general manager Bryan Murray has colon cancer.