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| {{Short description|Canadian businessman (born 1942)}} | |||
| {{COI}} | |||
| {{Infobox person | |||
| | name = Cal Nichols {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|CM}} | |||
| | image = Cal Nichols in 2006.png | |||
| | alt = | |||
| | caption = Cal Nichols at an Edmonton Oilers Community Appreciation event, 2006 | |||
| | birth_name = | |||
| | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|4|25}} | |||
| | birth_place = ], ], Canada | |||
| | death_date = | |||
| | death_place = | |||
| | death_cause = | |||
| | other_names = | |||
| | known_for = Founder of Gasland Properties Ltd.<br />Chairman of ]<br>Chairman of ] | |||
| | occupation = Businessman | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Cal Nichols''' {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|CM}} (born April 25, 1942) is a Canadian businessman who spearheaded the group which would later become the ] (EIG) which owned the ]'s ].<ref name="Group">{{cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/how-citizen-cal-nichols-saved-nhl-hockey-in-edmonton|title=How Citizen Cal Nichols saved NHL hockey in Edmonton 14 December 2007|last=|first=|date=|website=Edmonton Journal|publisher=|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ==Biography== | |||
| ''Cal Nichols'' spearheaded the group which would later become the ] which owns the ]'s ]. | |||
| Born in ], Nichols started his business career in 1962 as a 19-year-old when his father cosigned papers for him to take over a rundown ] Esso station. He worked hard to win the local farmers' custom, became involved in the local community playing sports, and was elected Councillor at 23. He married Edna, a St Walburg girl and after 7 years in 1969, they moved to Edmonton.<ref name="Group" /> | |||
| #Edmonton Investors Group Ltd. — A last-minute reprieve ] | |||
| ⚫ | Over the next thirteen years, he pursued various business and career opportunities. He was the commission bulk agent for Esso in Edmonton from 1972 through 1981 and served as Chairman of the Esso Agents Prairie Region Advisory Board. During his tenure, this became the largest Esso Agency in Canada. In 1983, anticipating the de-regulation of the crude oil and natural gas markets, Nichols and two associates founded Northridge Canada Inc. which became Canada's largest privately held crude oil and natural gas trading company. Northridge was ultimately sold to ]. In 1985, he created Gasland Oil, with its head office in Edmonton. Gasland grew to have over 50 branded petroleum outlets in Western Canada, many with convenience stores and other customer facilities. He sold substantially all of Gasland's petroleum marketing business in 1996 to ] but retained Gasland Properties Ltd., he has therefore shifted his focus to developing that company's various holdings.<ref name="Group" /> {{As of|2021}} it owned 16 retail properties in Alberta, including gas stations, liquor stores, and cannabis shops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gasland.com/gasland-properties.php|title = Gasland Properties in Alberta | Fuel, Convenience Stores, Retail}}</ref> | ||
| In May 2002, he was inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gasland.com/cal-nichols.php|title=Profile of Cal Nichols, C.M.|last=|first=|date=|website=Gasland Properties Ltd|publisher=|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref> He was awarded the Queens Golden Julnilee Medal <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=4150&t=6&ln=Nichols|title=Golden Jubilee Medal|last=|first=|date=|website=The Governor General of Canada|publisher=|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref> created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne and awarded to persons who had made outstanding contributions to both their community and to Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.gg.ca/honours/medals/hon04-qegj_e.asp|title=Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal|last=|first=|date=|website=Honours|publisher=|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ==Business & Personal Bio== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| In 2014, he was named to the ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/nichols-bandura-named-to-the-order-of-canada|title=Nichols, Bandura named to the Order of Canada 28 December 2014|last=|first=|date=|website=Edmonton Journal|publisher=|access-date=10 October 2016}}</ref> which was established in 1967 to acknowledge citizens who have "...{{nbsp}}outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation." He was appointed a Member (C.M.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15922|title=Order of Canada Appointments 26 December 2014|last=|first=|date=|website=The Governor General of Canada|publisher=|access-date=10 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==Edmonton Investors Group== | ||
| Cal is best known locally for his desire to retain NHL hockey in Edmonton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.camagazine.com/5/8/9/6/index1.shtml |title=How a group of hometown fans and their financial advisers kept the Oilers in Edmonton. |authors=Hamilton, Dwight Pelletier, Pierre |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-01-23 }}</ref> In 1996, Cal co-chaired the Friends of the Oilers ticket drive campaign. Starting with a meager 6,200 in season ticket sales Nichols orchestrated more than doubling that number to over 13,000, thus averting the risk of the team moving. In 1997, when the franchise was put up for sale, Nichols spearheaded the bid from a local ownership group by co-ordinating raising the $60 million in equity required to purchase the team. His motivation for this was to see ] remain as a “Major League City.” Cal started his tenure as chairman of the Edmonton Investors Group board in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/hockey/archive/2007/12/13/how-citizen-cal-nichols-saved-nhl-hockey-in-edmonton.aspx |title=How Citizen Cal Nichols saved NHL hockey in Edmonton |author=Staples, David |publisher=] |date=2005-10-02 |accessdate=2008-01-23 }}</ref> | |||
| Nicols summed up his own life view as ] | |||
| In the ] the ] sold out every home game for the first time, despite missing the playoffs by a substantial margin. The ownership group then reportedly received a ]145 million offer from local ] ] for the franchise, although Nichols subsequently said the team was not for sale<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=6bbf307d-d53b-4714-b248-292413dcf2cd&k=90929 |title=Oilers not for sale but bid to buy team won 'a lot of support' |author=MacKinnon, John |publisher=] |date=2007-05-06 |accessdate=2008-01-23 }}</ref>. ] upped the offer to $150 million, but was turned down again. | |||
| <blockquote>I believe in being rewarded for superior effort, harder work, ... you should benefit from that, but in the process of benefiting, you should never forget where you came from, and how can I use my good fortune to help those who are less fortunate. I think it’s about living life in balance.<ref name="Group" /></blockquote> | |||
| ⚫ | On August |
||
| ⚫ | ==Edmonton Investors Group (EIG)== | ||
| On December 13, 2007 ] submitted a 4th formal offer to the ] to buy the franchise. The offer was $188 million to the EIG shareholders, plus another $100 million towards the building of a new arena in downtown Edmonton, as well as a new state of the art training facility located at the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2007/13/c2914.html |title=Daryl Katz makes new offer to acquire Edmonton Oilers |author=KATZ GROUP CANADA LTD. |publisher=] |date=2007-12-13 |accessdate=2008-01-23 }}</ref> ] indicated that he would accept the offer for his share of the team, but that the EIG had to have the owners of 2/3 of the shares agree to the proposal. ] resigned as ] of directors for the ] on December 13th 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.canoe.ca/hicksonsix/2007/12/13/city_owes_huge_thanks_to_cal_nichols_and |title=CITY OWES HUGE THANKS TO CAL NICHOLS AND THE OILER OWNERSHIP GROUP |author=Hicks, Graham |publisher=] |date=2007-12-13 |accessdate=2008-01-23 }}</ref> Assuming the position of chairman of the board was Bill Butler, a minority ] & real estate developer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=3e57b7d4-6a7c-45e9-87ae-31583f265794 |title=Emergence of low-profile Edmonton developer Bill Butler creates online buzz among fans |publisher=] |date=2008-01-09 |accessdate=2008-01-23 }}</ref> The EIG will be meeting to decide on the bid in January, 21st 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/01/21/4785719.html |title=Daryl Katz absent, owners of Oilers weigh bid to buy team |publisher=] |date=2008-01-21 |accessdate=2008-01-23 }}</ref> | |||
| Nichols had played hockey and was a season-ticket holder of the ] hockey team in ]. The Oilers were owned by ], whose decisions regarding the team had disillusioned fans including a threat to move the team to the United States. In 1994 in return for taxpayer funds being used to refurbish the home ground ] had agreed that local buyers would be given the right to purchase the team for cnd$100 before he could sell it to an American buyer. The ] were in financial difficulties but could receive league assistance if they could sell 13,000 season tickets and 90 percent of corporate boxes. In 1996, Nichols co-chaired the Friends of the Oilers (FOTO) ticket drive campaign, and mainly through his efforts the 13,000 season tickets deadline was reached. In 1997, when the franchise was put up for sale, he spearheaded the bid from a local ownership group EIG made up of 37/38 investors by co-ordinating raising the $60 million in equity required to purchase the team. His motivation for this was to see the team remain ] remain as a "Major League City." He started his tenure as chairman of the EIG board in March 2000.<ref name="Group" /> | |||
| The Oilers became financially successful with Forbes valuing the club at US$146 million.<ref name=":0" /> The success of the Oilers brought a ]145 million offer from local ] ] for the franchise, although Nichols subsequently said the team was not for sale. ] upped the offer to ]150 million, but was turned down again. | |||
| ] (]) 18:30, 23 January 2008 (UTC) | |||
| ⚫ | On August 7, Katz made a third offer for the team of ]170 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/daryl-katz-explains-bid-to-buy-oilers-1.638075|title=Daryl Katz explains bid to buy Oilers|last=|first=|date=|website=CBS Sports|publisher=|access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> Nichols said the attempts to buy the team have caused "]" and he hoped the outright refusal brings closure to a vocal debate that has divided the group and the wider community since Katz's first offer. Nichols was quoted as saying "This is not about dollars. This is about ]. An ownership group is best-suited for ] and the ].".<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/oilers-owners-reject-latest-purchase-offer/article1079854/|title=Oilers owners reject latest purchase offer 7 August 2007/updated 3 April 2000|last=|first=|date=|website=The Globe and Mail|publisher=|author=|accessdate=16 October 2016}}</ref> | ||
| On December 13, 2007, Katz submitted a fourth formal offer to EIG to buy the franchise. The offer was $188 million to the EIG shareholders, plus another $100 million towards the building of a new arena in downtown ]. The offer was accepted and Nichols resigned as ] of directors for the EIG in December 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/12/26/ex-oiler-brass-honoured|title=Ex-Oiler brass honoured|last=|first=|date=|website=New Edmonton|publisher=|author=|accessdate=15 October 2016}}</ref> and the 34 members of the EIG were paid out .<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/insight/from-the-archives-in-june-2008-daryl-katz-buys-the-edmonton-oilers|title=From the archives : in June 2008 Daryl Katz buys the Edmonton Oilers|last=|first=|date=|website=Edmonton Journal|publisher=|accessdate=15 October 2016}}</ref> Katz acknowledged the role of Niicols in the Oilers success, "If it wasn’t for Cal, the Oilers wouldn’t be in Edmonton."<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| ==Alberta Enterprise Group== | |||
| In 2007 Nichols banded together with a group of businessmen to form the ]. Their purpose was to connect business leaders with Alberta policymakers and the public for the benefit of all stakeholders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://albertaenterprisegroup.com/about/|title=The History of the Alberta Enterprise Group|last=|first=|date=|website=Alberta Enterprise Group|publisher=|access-date=10 October 2016}}</ref> Nichols was chairman and in November 2011 a new chairman and Board were elected and he became Chairman ], an honorary title. He was thanked for "...{{nbsp}}his vision and leadership in helping to create this organization."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://albertaenterprisegroup.com/alberta-enterprise-group-elects-new-leadership/|title=Alberta Enterprise Group elects new leadership 18 November 2011|last=|first=|date=|website=Alberta Enterprise Group|publisher=|access-date=10 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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| ] (]) 18:30, 23 January 2008 (UTC) | |||
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Latest revision as of 06:36, 29 September 2024
Canadian businessman (born 1942)| Cal Nichols CM | |
|---|---|
 Cal Nichols at an Edmonton Oilers Community Appreciation event, 2006 | |
| Born | (1942-04-25) April 25, 1942 (age 82) Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Gasland Properties Ltd. Chairman of Edmonton Investors Group Chairman of Alberta Enterprise Group |
Cal Nichols CM (born April 25, 1942) is a Canadian businessman who spearheaded the group which would later become the Edmonton Investors Group (EIG) which owned the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers.
Biography
Born in Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan, Nichols started his business career in 1962 as a 19-year-old when his father cosigned papers for him to take over a rundown St Walburg, Saskatchewan Esso station. He worked hard to win the local farmers' custom, became involved in the local community playing sports, and was elected Councillor at 23. He married Edna, a St Walburg girl and after 7 years in 1969, they moved to Edmonton.
Over the next thirteen years, he pursued various business and career opportunities. He was the commission bulk agent for Esso in Edmonton from 1972 through 1981 and served as Chairman of the Esso Agents Prairie Region Advisory Board. During his tenure, this became the largest Esso Agency in Canada. In 1983, anticipating the de-regulation of the crude oil and natural gas markets, Nichols and two associates founded Northridge Canada Inc. which became Canada's largest privately held crude oil and natural gas trading company. Northridge was ultimately sold to TransCanada Pipelines. In 1985, he created Gasland Oil, with its head office in Edmonton. Gasland grew to have over 50 branded petroleum outlets in Western Canada, many with convenience stores and other customer facilities. He sold substantially all of Gasland's petroleum marketing business in 1996 to Husky Energy but retained Gasland Properties Ltd., he has therefore shifted his focus to developing that company's various holdings. As of 2021 it owned 16 retail properties in Alberta, including gas stations, liquor stores, and cannabis shops.
In May 2002, he was inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Queens Golden Julnilee Medal created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne and awarded to persons who had made outstanding contributions to both their community and to Canada.
In 2014, he was named to the Order of Canada which was established in 1967 to acknowledge citizens who have "... outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation." He was appointed a Member (C.M.)
Nicols summed up his own life view as reciprocity
I believe in being rewarded for superior effort, harder work, ... you should benefit from that, but in the process of benefiting, you should never forget where you came from, and how can I use my good fortune to help those who are less fortunate. I think it’s about living life in balance.
Edmonton Investors Group (EIG)
Nichols had played hockey and was a season-ticket holder of the Oilers hockey team in Edmonton. The Oilers were owned by Peter Pocklington, whose decisions regarding the team had disillusioned fans including a threat to move the team to the United States. In 1994 in return for taxpayer funds being used to refurbish the home ground Pocklington had agreed that local buyers would be given the right to purchase the team for cnd$100 before he could sell it to an American buyer. The Oilers were in financial difficulties but could receive league assistance if they could sell 13,000 season tickets and 90 percent of corporate boxes. In 1996, Nichols co-chaired the Friends of the Oilers (FOTO) ticket drive campaign, and mainly through his efforts the 13,000 season tickets deadline was reached. In 1997, when the franchise was put up for sale, he spearheaded the bid from a local ownership group EIG made up of 37/38 investors by co-ordinating raising the $60 million in equity required to purchase the team. His motivation for this was to see the team remain Edmonton remain as a "Major League City." He started his tenure as chairman of the EIG board in March 2000.
The Oilers became financially successful with Forbes valuing the club at US$146 million. The success of the Oilers brought a US$145 million offer from local billionaire Daryl Katz for the franchise, although Nichols subsequently said the team was not for sale. Daryl Katz upped the offer to US$150 million, but was turned down again.
On August 7, Katz made a third offer for the team of US$170 million. Nichols said the attempts to buy the team have caused "collateral damage" and he hoped the outright refusal brings closure to a vocal debate that has divided the group and the wider community since Katz's first offer. Nichols was quoted as saying "This is not about dollars. This is about Edmonton. An ownership group is best-suited for Edmonton and the Oilers.".
On December 13, 2007, Katz submitted a fourth formal offer to EIG to buy the franchise. The offer was $188 million to the EIG shareholders, plus another $100 million towards the building of a new arena in downtown Edmonton. The offer was accepted and Nichols resigned as chairman of the board of directors for the EIG in December 2007. and the 34 members of the EIG were paid out . Katz acknowledged the role of Niicols in the Oilers success, "If it wasn’t for Cal, the Oilers wouldn’t be in Edmonton."
Alberta Enterprise Group
In 2007 Nichols banded together with a group of businessmen to form the Alberta Enterprise Group. Their purpose was to connect business leaders with Alberta policymakers and the public for the benefit of all stakeholders. Nichols was chairman and in November 2011 a new chairman and Board were elected and he became Chairman Emeritus, an honorary title. He was thanked for "... his vision and leadership in helping to create this organization."
References
- ^ "How Citizen Cal Nichols saved NHL hockey in Edmonton 14 December 2007". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Gasland Properties in Alberta | Fuel, Convenience Stores, Retail".
- "Profile of Cal Nichols, C.M." Gasland Properties Ltd. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Golden Jubilee Medal". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal". Honours. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Nichols, Bandura named to the Order of Canada 28 December 2014". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- "Order of Canada Appointments 26 December 2014". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- ^ "Oilers owners reject latest purchase offer 7 August 2007/updated 3 April 2000". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- "Daryl Katz explains bid to buy Oilers". CBS Sports. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- "Ex-Oiler brass honoured". New Edmonton. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ "From the archives : in June 2008 Daryl Katz buys the Edmonton Oilers". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- "The History of the Alberta Enterprise Group". Alberta Enterprise Group. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- "Alberta Enterprise Group elects new leadership 18 November 2011". Alberta Enterprise Group. Retrieved 10 October 2016.