"The Senators taking part in all-star weekend can thank Eugene Melnyk for his support.

It's no accident captain Daniel Alfredsson, centre Jason Spezza, winger Milan Michalek and defenceman Erik Karlsson were voted starters by the fans, but they also had a little bit of support from the owner.

"I was one of them," Melnyk told the Sun from his Barbados home this week in a pre-all-star game interview. "I would have voted more, but my little girl wouldn't give me her iPad so I could use that to vote as well."

Preparing to kick off the all-star weekend with Thursday's Molson Canadian Fantasy Draft at the Casino du Lac-Leamy, Melnyk is looking forward to what's going to be a memorable weekend for hockey fans and the people of Ottawa."