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6d ago

Cal Nichols, Architect of Ownership That Kept the Oilers in Edmonton, Dies at 84

His leadership of a 38-investor group bought the team and helped secure the club’s place in the city, leaving a lasting imprint on Edmonton’s business and civic life.

Cal Nichols takes a $100 pledge from a caller and then talks to Gord Bailey from EZ rock104.9 FM about some of the items the Oilers are donating to help raise money for the Christmas Bureau. Just so you know, word is that Cal Nichols will be at the Journal from 4-6 on Thursday, Dec. 20 to work the Christmas Bureau Radiothon.
1996. Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman arrive at Edmonton City Hall for a meeting with the mayor Jan Reimer early in 1996. The future of the Edmonton Oilers staying in town was at state. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency
Glenn Anderson, who appeared in Gasland adverts for Nichols’ compnay, congratulated on a two-goal performance in a 1990 game by teammates Mark Lamb, Craig Simpson and Randy Gregg
Edmonton Oilers co-owner Cal Nichols speaks at 2007 media conference about selling the Edmonton Oilers Daryl Katz.

Overview

  • Nichols died on Saturday at age 84, the Edmonton Oilers announced in an official statement and tweet confirming his passing and offering condolences to his family.
  • He co-chaired the 1996 Friends of the Oilers ticket drive that rebuilt local season-ticket support and helped prevent relocation threats to the franchise.
  • In 1998 Nichols spearheaded the Edmonton Investors Group, which pooled 38 investors and raised about $110 million to buy the Oilers, including roughly $5 million of his own money.
  • Nichols served as the EIG’s chairman and the team’s governor through the decade until the 2008 sale to Daryl Katz, and he remained an Oilers season-ticket holder until his death.
  • A self-made oil and gas entrepreneur who helped found Northridge and Gasland Oil, Nichols received honors such as the Order of Canada and is survived by his wife Edna, two children and five grandchildren, and his death is likely to prompt formal tributes and reflection on local ownership of the club.