[News] Bob Nicholson stepping down from Hockey Canada

[jschick88]

Former Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson is looking to embark on a career as an NHL executive, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

During an "Insider Trading" segment on "Sportscentre" Wednesday night, Dreger said Nicholson "Is jumping into the National Hockey League, leaving Hockey Canada, and joining the ranks of an NHL team in a high-executive capacity."

Dreger added that the former national team head honcho is likely to be tapped for a Tim Leiweke-like position: "Above the level of president but below the level of an owner, but he's joining the NHL."

http://www.thescore.com/news/518264

[Street Pharmacist]

According to theScore, Edmonton is the front runner

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Gross. That might be a good move for the Oilers. But as long as Lowe sticks around they won't get too much better.

[browna]

Just don't know what he adds, outside of a "recognizable name" that Lowe can pimp out.
Never understood the connection of him coming here a few years back either.

Sure, he's got some of the politics down and has rubbed shoulders with a lot of people in hockey at various levels. However, at Hockey Canada, you get that audience and everyone likes you and listens to you simply due to the nature of the organization.

But that rubbing shoulders and cordial relations with the NHL and CHL etc, usually doesn't involve dealing with the operational decisions of a hockey team, or, if that position is to be business in nature, it doesn't deal with the same business/marketing concerns and situations that NHL teams face. Hockey Canada's mandate itself is a lot different than the goals of a for profit NHL team.

I think the same of Pascal and what he brings. However, Pascal will be heavily mentored by Burke to learn the entirely different NHL side of things, and to turn his PR and behind the scenes touches he added to Hockey Canada into something more with the Flames.

[Ashasx]

Apparently Vancouver has also made an offer.

CEO, President, GM. That seems like too much management.

[Tyler]

Any news on who may be replacing Bob at HC?

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Any news on who may be replacing Bob at HC?

Scott Smith.
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/Exc...ts/Scott-Smith

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Apparently Vancouver has also made an offer.

CEO, President, GM. That seems like too much management.

Flames have it

King, Burke, Treliving

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Flames have it

King, Burke, Treliving

Yeah, but does King really have much say in the hockey department (at least for the Flames)? You gotta assume Burke has final say on most matters, even if they never come out and say as much. King was never a hockey guy, while obviously that's all Nicholson (and I suppose Lowe) know.

[browna]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Yeah, but does King really have much say in the hockey department (at least for the Flames)? You gotta assume Burke has final say on most matters, even if they never come out and say as much. King was never a hockey guy, while obviously that's all Nicholson (and I suppose Lowe) know.

In my opinion, King had a bigger say in hockey matters under the previous GM, because that's the way that GM sold them (King and Edwards) on him to get the job, and, utilized them as such.

Clear that, among other things wrong with the previous GM, that structural arrangement was eroding away the Flames reputation around the league, so they changed course a year ago, with Shanahan/Burke to run the hockey ops.

However, King is a longtime Calgarian and has a wealth of contacts in the business community, so is well suited for that role, as Burke is, with his credentials.

However, Nicholson was running Hockey Canada, a program setup with the task of everything from selecting National Teams, developing Youth National Teams and programs, down to setting the framework for coaching, as well minor hockey rules and developmental guidelines. A tough task and wide ranging role for sure.

But plunk him in Edmonton and Vancouver above Linden or (above?) below Lowe, and what does he bring? Director of on ice operations? Not really qualified for that given experience. Gladhanding President who's new to the city's business community and doesn't have the contacts to move forward with that role? Not really.

Reminds me a bit of the task of former Flames president Ron Bremner. Advertised as a in his role as a successful media and communications poobah as his calling card, his infamous mid 90's "beer cold and hotdogs hot" line to explain good customer service. He also, quite ironically locked the Flames into a restrictive, longer term TV contract that put the team behind Edmonton and Vancouver on Snet's pecking order in the early 2000's...a guy like Nicholson, who had certain skills that somewhat relate to the role of a President of an NHL team, but not really direct skills in the right areas in such a large role.

[bubbsy]

listening to the radio in the car this morning, dreger also mentioned that though nobody seems to be able to trackdown which nhl team he is joining, the oilers make a lot of sense, especially given that him and Lowe are apparently tight.

[bubbsy]

further speculation:

Andy Strickland ‏@andystrickland 5m It's anticipated former Hockey Canada Exec Bob Nicholson is headed to Edmonton to become Pres/CEO focusing on the business side #Oilers

[Locke]

Thats ridiculous. You know what that is? That is Bob Nicholson getting paid to sit on his ass as a reward for allowing Kevin Lowe to tag along on Team Canada all these years.

There is no 'business side' to the Oilers. They have 'x' number of seats for which they charge 'y' number of dollars to achieve 'z.' Business side complete.

Unless they need Bob to see if he can get them a discount on rubber gloves and lube for when the season-ticket prices go up again.

[Burke Salad]

He will at least bring somewhat of a positive vibe towards the Oilers organization, something they desperately need right now. Transitioning to there new building will also be a big task on the business side.

[#-3]

I think it is a good move for the Oilers, Advertising, Media Relations, etc. But should have vary little impact on the gong show of a hockey department Lowe is running.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I actually thought they might bring in a hockey guy to help with the disaster on the ice, not assist in the business side of things. So the hockey side of things is status quo? Lowe and MacT are still running things? Sounds good to me.

[nik-]

haha the business side. Thank you Oilers, for your unending spring of comedy.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by #-3

I think it is a good move for the Oilers, Advertising, Media Relations, etc. But should have vary little impact on the gong show of a hockey department Lowe is running.

So is he going to be the new head of the Oiler SS, the velvet glove in the dungeon below Rexall place.

Will he feed disgruntled fans soup and whisper sweet nothings before snapping their necks and exclaiming "I love doing that" and dancing around the corpse of another dead Oiler fan who couldn't follow the vision of Kevin Lowe?

[Burke Salad]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

So is he going to be the new head of the Oiler SS, the velvet glove in the dungeon below Rexall place.

Will he feed disgruntled fans soup and whisper sweet nothings before snapping their necks and exclaiming "I love doing that" and dancing around the corpse of another dead Oiler fan who couldn't follow the vision of Kevin Lowe?

"Well I dont know why I came here tonight
I got a feeling that something a'int right..."

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

So is he going to be the new head of the Oiler SS, the velvet glove in the dungeon below Rexall place.

Will he feed disgruntled fans soup and whisper sweet nothings before snapping their necks and exclaiming "I love doing that" and dancing around the corpse of another dead Oiler fan who couldn't follow the vision of Kevin Lowe?

Should Nicholson, become the President or employed by the No Good Oilers I sure hope CP gets to enjoy another Episode of "Like a Viper". Introducing a new character....