Eugene Melnyk's crisis looks to have been averted.
The owner of the Ottawa Senators underwent lifesaving liver transplant surgery at Toronto General Hospital this week and is showing signs of improvement, reports Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
Dr. Atul Humar spoke with the media about Melnyk's progress on Thursday and gave positive updates.
"Both the recipient and donor are doing well. Mr. Melnyk is awake, smiling and doing well," says Humar. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) May 21, 2015
Melnyk, who had been battling serious health issues for months, received an overwhelming response to his plea for a live and compatible donor.
The anonymous donor - who the Melnyk family called an "incredible person" - had a wish of their own for their generous contribution.
Part of the motivation of anonymous donor "to bring the Stanley Cup home to the Ottawa Senators." #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) May 21, 2015
The Senators finished the 2014-15 season with a record of 43-26-13 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens.