(April 20, 2015) EDMONTON – Daryl Katz, Chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) announced today Bob Nicholson has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Nicholson, who joined the organization as Vice-Chair in June of 2014, will take over an expanded set of responsibilities within OEG that includes authority over all aspects of business and hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club. Mr. Nicholson will continue to serve as an Alternate Governor for the Edmonton Oilers on the NHL Board of Governors.

Bob Nicholson (photo by Andy Devlin | Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club)



“Since joining OEG, Bob has devoted his time to assessing all aspects of the organization,” said Mr. Katz. “Going forward, he will have clear responsibility for OEG’s growing sports and entertainment business, and all the support and latitude he needs from me to lead the Oilers back to being a Stanley Cup contender. Bob is the ideal person to lead the organization forward. He is a bold thinker, a strong consensus builder and a very fine individual.”

“Daryl hired me to build a winning organization. We have a lot of work to do, but we know what we need to do to get there,” said Mr. Nicholson. “We have great people in this organization and we are firmly committed to rewarding our fans for their extraordinary patience and support. It is going to be an exciting year for our organization and the City in the lead up to the opening of Rogers Place.”

Mr. Nicholson retired as President & CEO of Hockey Canada in 2014 after a hugely successful run including the double-gold repeat by the Canadian Men’s and Women’s National Hockey Teams at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) delivers leading sports, entertainment and other special event programming to fans and patrons in Canada and the United States. The company owns the five-time Stanley Cup Champion Edmonton Oilers and will operate Rogers Place, the new home of the Oilers in downtown Edmonton. Currently under construction, Rogers Place will be North America’s leading sports and entertainment venue when it opens its doors in fall 2016.

OEG also owns the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), Oklahoma City Barons (AHL) and Bakersfield Condors (ECHL), as well as Aquila Productions, an award-winning producer of film & television, live events and broadcasts, and corporate and branded messaging services.