Cal Nichols is a former Canadian ice hockey player who had a successful career as a forward in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL). He played for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL and the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the IHL.
After retiring from playing, Nichols became involved in the management and ownership of hockey teams. He was a co-owner of the Edmonton Oilers from 1998 to 2008 and served as the team's chairman from 2001 to 2008. During his tenure, the Oilers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006, but lost to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Nichols was also instrumental in the construction of the Oilers' new arena, Rogers Place, which opened in 2016. He was part of the ownership group that secured funding for the arena and oversaw its design and construction.
In addition to his work with the Oilers, Nichols was involved in the development of hockey in Alberta. He was a founding member of the Hockey Alberta Foundation, which supports grassroots hockey programs in the province. He also served as the chairman of the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation, which provides funding for sports and recreation initiatives in the province.
Nichols has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to hockey and sports in Alberta. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and received the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2017. He was also named to the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
Overall, Cal Nichols had a successful career in hockey as a player, owner, and developer of the sport. His contributions to the Edmonton Oilers and hockey in Alberta have had a lasting impact on the sport and its fans.
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