Belleville Senators' General Manager Resigns
BELLEVILLE - The Ottawa Senators announced in an official statement on Tuesday evening that Randy Lee has resigned from his positions as both assistant general manager of the NHL club and general manager of the Belleville Senators.
“The Ottawa Senators today announced that Randy Lee resigned as Assistant General Manager of the Ottawa Senators and General Manager of the Belleville Senators. A search is underway for his replacement.’’
Lee leaves after 23 seasons with the organization. The 56-year-old, who had been previously been placed on suspension by the organization on June 15th, following two non-criminal harassment charges filed against him for an alleged incident a month earlier in Buffalo, to which the Ottawa native has pleaded not guilty. Lee has been accused of making lewd comments and rubbing the shoulders of a 19-year-old male shuttle driver.
Lee’s next expected court appearance is dated for Sept. 13, coincidentally the same day the Ottawa Senators are set to begin training camp.
Official Statement from Randy Lee is as follows:
“My suspension has given me more time to spend with my loved ones than ever before. For the past 23 years, my family has taken a back seat to my career. My focus now is on putting them first.
At the same time, I have to think about my obligations to the hockey team. They need an assistant general manager who can focus completely on the coming season. Until this matter is behind me, however, I’m not in a position to do that.
For this reason — in consultation with the Ottawa Senators and my family — I have chosen to resign as assistant general manager of the Ottawa Senators and general manager of the Belleville Senators.”
The Senators’ search for an assistant general manager will begin immediately, as per the team’s press release. As for Lee, who played a major role in bringing hockey back to Belleville, he will not get the chance to ripen the fruits of his labour.
A busy off-season in the “friendly city” has now seen a new coach, a new captain, and a new GM in Belleville.
