CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada’s 95th Annual General Meeting (AGM), attended by more than 250 delegates from across the country, wrapped up Saturday at the Westin Calgary after three days of discussion to benefit the growth and development of Canada’s game.

This year’s AGM was the last for Bob Nicholson, who will step down Sunday after 16 years as president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada.

“I cannot say thank you enough to the Hockey Canada staff, volunteers, players, coaches, officials and parents who have made these last 16 years so memorable,” said Nicholson. “It has been quite a ride, and I am so excited about where our game is on and off the ice. Canadian hockey is in great hands, and the future is bright.”

“On behalf of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors and every single Canadian involved in hockey from coast to coast, we thank Bob for his tireless efforts to improve the game,” said Jim Hornell, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “There will be another president and CEO, but there will not be another Bob Nicholson.”

The AGM was also the official launch of Hockey Canada’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Over the coming weeks, more information will be revealed for the lead-up to the Dec. 4 milestone, including Hockey Canada visiting more than 100 communities and engaging more than one million Canadians.

To help make the game safer, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey have entered into a partnership to curb violence in the game.

The Long Game, which debuted during World Girls Hockey Weekend last October, will be extended in 2014, growing from 18 hours to 23 hours and adding a Senior division. This year’s event will include more than 1,500 players in five divisions (Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget and Senior) playing from Newfoundland & Labrador to British Columbia.

Items approved by the Hockey Canada Board of Directors:

Hockey Canada has created a new governance structure to comply with the federal government`s Not-For-Profit Corporations Act. The size of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors will be reduced, from 26 directors to nine.

A branch forum has been created to allow for improved communication between the board and branches on a regular basis. Hockey Canada councils (Female, Hockey Development, Junior, Minor and Senior) will continue to meet twice a year, while standing committees will be reduced from 26 to eight. In addition, work groups will be created to deal with new concerns throughout the year.

The Hockey Canada Board of Directors and councils have recommended the following communities host national events in the coming seasons:

• 2015 Esso Cup – Red Deer, Alta.
• 2015 National Women’s Under-18 Championship – Huntsville, Ont.
• 2016 TELUS Cup – Saint John/Quispamsis, N.B.
• 2016 RBC Cup – Lloydminster, Alta.