Mel Bridgman, former NHLer and first GM of the Senators, dies at 70

Mel Bridgman, a former NHL forward who was the first general manager of the Ottawa Senators, has died. The NHL Alumni Association announced his death. He was 70.

Bridgman was the No. 1 overall pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1975 amateur draft and played 977 games over 14 seasons with the Flyers, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks. He served as captain of the Flyers and Devils.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Flames alumnus Mel Bridgman. A natural leader and trusted teammate, he had an impact on everyone he met. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Mel. https://t.co/dJeylysZG8

— Flames Alumni (@AlumniFlames) November 8, 2025

A feisty center and left wing who dropped his gloves across his playing career, Bridgman could also produce offensively as he had six 20-goal seasons while racking up 1,625 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 125 playoff games and finished his NHL playing days in 1988-89 with the Canucks, totaling 252 goals and 701 points.

Two years after retirement, Bridgman was named GM of the expansion Senators and served in that role for the inaugural club’s first two seasons.

He presided over Ottawa’s inaugural draft, where the team selected Alexei Yashin with the No. 2 pick in 1992.

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… pic.twitter.com/smZeDtiT68

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) November 8, 2025