Hockey HOFer HARLEY HOTCHKISS, who “may have been best known for his role in the Calgary Flames organization," passed away yesterday at the age of 83 “after a tough battle with prostate cancer,” according to Eva Ferguson of the CALGARY HERALD. Hotchkiss was "part of the original ownership group of six who brought" the Flames to Calgary in ’80, "giving the city its first National Hockey League franchise." Hotchkiss served as NHL BOG Chair from '95-'07, and he was "instrumental in bringing a resolution to the 2005 players strike and putting together the agreement that would put in place the historic players' salary cap." Hotchkiss was inducted into the HOF in '06. His "contributions outside of his beloved sport made historic impacts in the community, particularly in health care, where he raised millions of dollars toward improving patient care." Ferguson notes Hotchkiss in '04 made a C$15M donation that "helped create the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary, which has become a national leader in neurological and mental health care research" (CALGARY HERALD, 6/23). In Calgary, Don Braid notes "thanks largely to" Hotchkiss and late Flames Owner DOC SEAMAN, the Flames are the "only NHL team that formally gives money to Hockey Canada and other hockey programs through unique arrangements created when they brought the team here from Atlanta" (CALGARY HERALD, 6/23).
POPULAR FIGURE: Canadian Prime Minister STEPHEN HARPER yesterday said of Hotchkiss, "As a hockey fan, I will forever be grateful for his role in bringing the Flames to Calgary." Hockey HOFer and former Flames RW LANNY MCDONALD and "other players from Hotchkiss' heyday say the man treated everyone like family" (CALGARYSUN.com, 6/22). The GLOBE & MAIL's Pitts & Duhatschek write, "Loyalty was a big part of the Hotchkiss credo." During his "six two-year terms as NHL chairman, he forged a friendship" with GARY BETTMAN that "saw the often embattled NHL commissioner call him once a week, even after he'd stepped aside from his duties on the NHL board, to inquire after his health." Hotchkiss "had sold his Flames shares, but last Tuesday, Bettman travelled to Calgary and was supposed to be the surprise guest at a dinner honouring Hotchkiss and his brain institute." Hotchkiss "was too ill to attend the dinner, so instead, the commissioner spent 2 1/2 hours visiting with him" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/23).
