Ron Robison

Last updated

Ron Robison
Born1955 (age 68–69)
Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada
Education University of Saskatchewan
Known forCommissioner of the Western Hockey League

Ron Robison (born 1955) is a Canadian ice hockey executive, who has served as the commissioner of the Western Hockey League (WHL) since September 15, 2000. He previously worked in senior managerial roles for the Canadian Hockey Association and Hockey Canada. As commissioner, Robison has expanded the WHL by introducing new teams and broadcasting partners.

Contents

Early life

Robison was born to parents Allan Robison and Elinor Anderson in 1955. His grandfather Jim was the mayor of Indian Head, Saskatchewan and ran a general store. [1] Robison attended, and played ice hockey, at the University of Saskatchewan before graduating in 1977. [2] In 2007, he was honoured by the University as one of their 100 Alumni of Influence. [3]

Career

Early career

After graduation, Robison was hired as an assistant coach for the Saskatchewan Huskies and faculty member of the Physical Education department until 1981. From there, Robison joined the Canadian Hockey Association, which later became known as Hockey Canada. [2] In June 1997, Robison resigned as senior vice-president of Hockey Canada's Business Operations but continued to work for the association on a contract basis. [4] During his years with Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey Association, Robison helped manage seven Ice Hockey World Championships and three Winter Olympic Games. [5] [6]

WHL

In September 2000, Robison was named the commissioner of the Western Hockey League (WHL), replacing Dev Dley. [7] [8] Five years later, Robison helped introduce a new team in British Columbia and the sale of the Tri-City Americans. [9] He also partnered with the Canada West Universities Athletic Association to add new scholarship programs for players in the WHL [10] and sat on the National Junior Team Policy Committee and Branch. [11] As well, he helped the WHL and Interactive Netcasting Systems Incorporated begin to webcast WHL games starting in the 2005–06 season. [12]

In 2006, under Robison's watch, the WHL expanded to include a new team in Edmonton, [13] and his contract was extended for three more years. [14] The following year, Robison and the WHL extended their partnership agreement the Saskatchewan Hockey Association to continue providing additional support for the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League under the Saskatchewan Development Model. The model was created to encourage the development of ice hockey players in Saskatchewan. [15] Two years later, Robison continue expanding WHL's broadcasting rights by encouraging Shaw TV to sign a five-year contract with the WHL. The contract allowed Shaw TV to cover the WHL regular season and playoff games across Western Canada. [16]

In 2011, Robison's contract was extended for five years through a unanimous vote by the WHL Board of Governors. [17] He was later appointed to Hockey Canada's 2012–13 Governing Board [18] [19] and Program of Excellence Policy Committee. [20]

In 2015, Robison introduced the "WHL Player Impact Program" to address challenges player might face such as mental health issues and drug abuse problems. [21] [22] He also personally collaborated with Athabasca University to create a hockey executive Master of Business Administration program. [23] The following year, the WHL Board of Governors extended his contract until the 2021 season. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Hockey League</span> Governing organization for major junior hockey in Canada

The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canada-based major junior ice hockey leagues. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). For the 2023–24 season, its three leagues and 60 teams represent nine Canadian provinces as well as four American states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Hockey League</span> Junior ice hockey league

The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada, alongside the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. Teams play for the Ed Chynoweth Cup, with the winner moving on to play for the Memorial Cup, Canada's national junior championship. WHL teams have won the Memorial Cup 19 times. The WHL is composed of 22 teams divided into two conferences of two divisions. The Eastern Conference comprises 11 teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, while the Western Conference comprises 11 teams from British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athabasca University</span> Distance education university in Alberta, Canada

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References

  1. ↑ Florence, Bob (June 16, 2012). "Rockets once ruled Indian Head". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Ron Robison, BSPE'77". usask.ca. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  3. ↑ "ROBISON TO BE HONOURED". wheatkings.com. September 16, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  4. ↑ "CANADIAN HOCKEY COMPLETES STAFF RESTRUCTURING". hockeycanada.ca. June 7, 1997. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  5. ↑ "THANK YOUR COACH UPDATE -2013 PotashCorp CIS University Cup Championship presented by Co-op". saskatoon.goalline.ca. March 12, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  6. ↑ "SPECIAL GUEST PROFILES". hockeymanitoba.ca. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Robison named WHL commissioner". cbc.ca. September 13, 2000. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Ron Robison appointed as WHL Commissioner". whl.ca. September 11, 2000. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  9. ↑ "WHL Announces New Ownership for Tri-City Americans and Expansion to Chilliwack, B.C." pgcougars.com. April 21, 2005. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  10. ↑ "WHL announces Canada West University Partnership". tigershockey.com. November 28, 2005. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  11. ↑ "NATIONAL JUNIORS ROSTER". wheatkings.com. December 15, 2005. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  12. ↑ "WHL Announces New Internet Streaming Agreement – LIVE Internet Broadcasts". pgcougars.com. September 14, 2005. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  13. ↑ "WHL Grants Expansion Franchise to Edmonton". whl.ca. March 16, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  14. ↑ "WHL re-jigs playoff format for next season". Brandon Sun. Manitoba. June 22, 2006. p. 12. Lock-green.svg
  15. ↑ "WHL Enters into New Partnership with Saskatchewan Hockey Association". mjwarriors.ca. December 6, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  16. ↑ "SHAW TV AND WHL EXTEND PARTNERSHIP". mjwarriors.ca. May 26, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  17. ↑ "WHL COMMISSIONER SIGNS NEW FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT". wheatkings.com. February 9, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  18. ↑ "HOCKEY CANADA'S 93RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING CONCLUDES IN HALIFAX, N.S." hockeycanada.ca. May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Hockey Canada Agm Recap; Boudreau & Kost Win National Awards". hockeyalberta.ca. May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  20. ↑ "TODD GILL NAMED HEAD COACH OF CANADA'S NATIONAL MEN'S SUMMER UNDER-18 TEAM; YANICK JEAN AND SCOTT WALKER TO SERVE AS ASSISTANT COACHES". hockeycanada.ca. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  21. ↑ "WHL LAUNCHES PLAYER IMPACT PROGRAM". whl.ca. October 5, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  22. ↑ "WHL General Managers & Coaches Seminar puts Players First". whl.ca. September 18, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Hockey MBA through Athabasca University touted as world's first". cbc.ca. January 12, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Board of Governors extend contract of Commissioner Ron Robison". hitmenhockey.com. February 9, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
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