Young defenseman Jorian Donovan is one of the few people in the Ottawa Senators organization who can better describe the franchise’s new majority owner Michael Andlauer, and he only has good words to say.

The 19-year-old skater, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 National Hockey League (NHL) draft, has been keeping a close eye on recent developments at the top of the “Sens” org chart over the past month. Andlauer, a former minority shareholder in the Montreal Canadiens, won the race in the federal capital and will take control of the club in September. So few know him, except for Donovan, who last season played for the Hamilton Bulldogs, an Ontario Junior League formation temporarily moved to Brantford and owned by the businessman.

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According to the left-back, home fans needn’t worry.

“He’s a really good guy. To be honest, I’m very happy about the future of the team and also about the arrival of a person like him. He’s down to earth, he loves hockey and people. In Hamilton he was always in the dressing room and loves to meet other people. He gave us everything we needed and treated the Bulldogs like a professional club, which is incredible,” he told the Ottawa Sun.

Very present

If the son of former NHL player and current Senators director of player development, Shean Donovan, is right, everyone in the organization will benefit from personalized coaching.

“He’s there all the time, whether it’s after training or at the end of meetings. They see him near the rink to check if everything is going well and how the group is doing. An owner isn’t usually that visible, but he’s a man who comes to you,” said the man, who averaged 45 points in 55 appearances with Hamilton in 2022-2023.

“We’re going to Brantford and he’s already spent some money improving the place. He is willing to invest to bring quality to players and training,” added the Bulldogs color holder.

-In the coming weeks, Andlauer will have to sell his shares in the Canadiens.