Former Saultite cut from Ottawa Senators roster

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Ottawa Senators are cutting a team member that's been with the franchise almost since the beginning – anthem singer Lyndon Slewidge.

A statement released by the organization Tuesday explained: "As part of the Senators' 25th anniversary celebrations, the team is trying a number of new in-arena activations for the fans, including inviting other performers and artists to sing the national anthems. This does not mean Lyndon will not be invited to sing at games in the future, just not as often as he had in previous seasons."

Slewidge, a retired OPP officer, was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie.

In 1992, fellow Saultite Dr. Roberta Bondar took recordings of Slewidge singing both the Canadian and American national anthems aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.

He got his start singing national anthems for the Soo Greyhounds, relocating to Ottawa in 1992 to be part of the Senators franchise upon its return to the NHL.

After listening to Slewidge sing national anthems for 24 years for the Senators, signing off with his signature thumbs up and a wink, fans immediately took to social media to express their disapproval.

"'We're celebrating 25 years of the team! Let's take away the thing that's been here for 25 years!' --the @Senators logic on Lyndon Slewidge," @Meg_Kelly1 tweeted.

"Dear @Senators I'm a @MapleLeafs fan and Lyndon Slewidge was the only thing I liked about the Sens," said @RegularJoeYYC

"@Senators If I was Lyndon Slewidge I'd be very angry! I'd be Raw Slewidge," tweeted @Jcjpl

"Lyndon Slewidge is the only time I don't bother muting the anthems," said @gosensgo101

Slewidge told the Ottawa Citizen Monday evening the NHL franchise has not contacted him to renew his contract for the 2016/2017 season.

“I put it back to the Senators. It’s their show. They control the dice,” he said. “At the end of the day, and all the years, they didn’t offer a contract this year.”

“It’s been an honour. I’ve always enjoyed it and I’ve been there from when it was nothing to where it’s evolved to now. It’s a big corporate business. I felt let down.”

Outraged fans have started a petition to encourage the Senators to renew their contract with Slewidge.

The petition, which currently has 623 supporters, reads in part: "Having him at just a few games this season is not honouring the tradition and history of the team which is what this whole anniversary season is supposed to be about."

To view the petition, please click here.