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Mark Borowiecki came to Eugene Melnyk’s defence Monday.

The Ottawa Senators’ rugged blueliner made it clear he’s not sure why a small portion of the fanbase has spent money to buy billboards with the hashtag #MelnykOut in the area to try to force club’s owner to sell the team.

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Borowiecki, 28, grew up a slapshot away from the Canadian Tire Centre in Stittsville, was here in 2003 when former owner Rod Bryden put the team into bankruptcy and noted that Melnyk stepped forward to purchase the franchise so it would stay in Ottawa.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” said Borowiecki. “I will say I don’t think running a sports franchise is quite as easy as some people think it is. There’s a lot to it that people can’t understand and don’t appreciate.

“Eugene’s stepped up big for this city. I remember growing up and being a fan when there was a real danger of losing this team. Fans might have gripes — certain sections of that fanbase especially might take issues with things. But there was a real possibility a few years ago we wouldn’t have a team here.