Alfredsson on Reynolds' interest in buying Senators: 'It's fabulous'

TORONTO — Daniel Alfredsson had never heard of the "Welcome to Wrexham" reality series.

When rumours started to swirl the Welsh soccer club's famous co-owner was interested in buying the Swede's former NHL team, however, his brother suggested they watch an episode.

Alfredsson liked what he saw.

Poised to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame next week, the Ottawa Senators icon was asked Friday about Canadian movie star Ryan Reynolds publicly stating he's keen to buy a piece of the franchise with the sale process now commenced.

"It's fabulous," Alfredsson. "I happened to be at my brother's place for his daughter's birthday a week ago and he told me about the Wrexham soccer team and the TV show."

So what did he think?

"Really cool – and not just buying the (soccer) team," Alfredsson continued. "They seem really interested and genuine in trying to do it the right way.

"If (Reynolds) was part of a group that ended up buying (the Senators), it would be great for everybody involved."

Reynolds confirmed the rumours about his interest in the team – recently valued at US$655 million by sports business website Sportico.com – on the Tonight Show earlier this week.

"Yes, that is true,'' said Reynolds, who owns Wrexham with fellow actor Rob McElhenney. "I am trying to do that. It's very expensive."

Added Reynolds with a laugh: "I need a partner with really deep pockets."

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk died of an undisclosed illness in March, leaving the team to his two adult daughters, Olivia and Anna.

The billionaire, who had an adversarial relationship with a large chunk of the fanbase in recent years, purchased the club in 2003 for $92 million at a time when it faced a tenuous future in the nation's capital.

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