Former NHL Player and GM Mel Bridgman Passes Away at 70
Mel Bridgman, a former NHL player and general manager of the Ottawa Senators, has passed away at the age of 70. His death was announced by the NHL Alumni Association on November 8, 2025. The cause of his passing has not been revealed.
Notable NHL Career
Bridgman was selected first overall in the 1975 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. He played with the Flyers for over six seasons, making a significant impact in his early career.
In the 1981-82 season, he was traded to the Calgary Flames, where he achieved a career-high with 33 goals and 54 assists in 72 games. Following that season, Bridgman moved to the New Jersey Devils and spent more than three years there before joining the Detroit Red Wings in the 1986-87 season.
His final season in the NHL was with the Vancouver Canucks in 1988-89. Throughout his career, Bridgman accumulated a total of 701 points, comprising 252 goals and 449 assists across 977 regular-season games.
Transition to Management
In 1991, Mel Bridgman took on the role of the first general manager for the expansion Ottawa Senators. He held this position until 1993, helping to shape the team’s early years.
Legacy and Contributions
- First overall pick in the 1975 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Career-best season with Calgary Flames included 33 goals and 54 assists.
- Total of 701 career points over 977 games in the NHL.
- First general manager of the Ottawa Senators from 1991 to 1993.
Bridgman’s legacy continues to resonate within the hockey community. His contributions on and off the ice have left an indelible mark in the NHL and among fans.
