Hockey President Moves On

Several of you are too young to remember, but current Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson was the Technical Director with the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association, now known as BC Hockey.

He took over from Dave Andrews who is now the current President of the AHL and has been in that position for several years now.

While doing this job Bill Ennos worked under him, now he is in charge and while many great individuals have come and moved on, Bob clearly was one of the best that I had the opportunity to work with.

Bob Nicholson, the long-time president and CEO of Hockey Canada is stepping down effective June 1.

Nicholson informed his staff and the Hockey Canada board of his decision today after several days of contemplating his future.

With long-term sponsorship and television agreements now in place, Hockey Canada is believed to be both structurally and financially strong now and in the future.

The timing of this decision to some is shocking, but Nicholson’s decision, following Olympic Gold in Men’s and Women’s hockey in Sochi, makes sense to him and his Family.

It is expected that he will maintain his position as Vice President of the IIHF and his departure from Hockey Canada will also likely spark speculation of potential NHL interest within some club, but which one??

It is believed that Hockey Canada will conduct a long search which is the process normally taken to replace such an individual as Bob however, Hockey Canada C.O.O, Scott Smith is (at this time) considered the frontrunner for the job.

He was inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004, and received the City of Penticton’s 55 Award for having brought recognition to the Penticton area through hockey.

He played his minor hockey and Junior A hockey in Penticton and helped the Penticton Broncos win the BCJHL and BC-Alberta Championships in 1973 and went on to play NCAA hockey at Providence College.

His official No. 6 was retired in Penticton in an impressive ceremony in 2005.

Bob is a great individual who is a proud Canadian and has lots of options in his future, besides he’s from Penticton.

Bob currently lives in Calgary with his wife and Author Lorna Schultz Nicholson who comes from Victoria and at one point was a coach in rowing.

We at Sportswave wish him all the best in all future endeavors he enters.