Bob Nicholson announced Friday April 4, 2014 that he is stepping down as president and CEO of Hockey Canada effective June 1, 2014. He has held both positions since 1998 and has presided over a highly successful era for Canada in international Hockey.

“I have mixed emotions in making this announcement, as it marks an end to an extraordinary part of my life, but I think the time is right for me personally to step down,” said Nicholson. “I want to thank the Hockey Canada Board of Directors, the volunteers and the staff of Hockey Canada for their support over the past 16 years. The Hockey family is a close one, so I have many colleagues and friends around the world that have also played a large part in my life; I also want to thank them. Finally and most importantly, I want to thank my wife, Lorna, and my children, Mandi, Marijean and Grant, who have been by my side for this entire journey.”
 

"My legacy is only going to be about how good Hockey Canada is when I finish, and I know it's going to be great," Nicholson said, fighting back tears. "Thanks to all the Canadians for allowing me to do this job."​

As President and CEO of Hockey Canada, Nicholson oversaw Hockey development programs both nationally and internationally, high performance programs, corporate sales and marketing, licensing, insurance and regulations, and communications. He managed all operations for competitions that Canada participates in internationally, including the IIHF World Junior Championship, IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship and Olympic Winter Games.

From 1979 to 1989, Nicholson was technical director with the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association.

Nicholson was vice-president of programs with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association from 1990 to 1991.

Nicholson was senior vice-president of the Canadian Hockey Association from 1992 to 1998, managing all national men’s teams, national women’s teams and development programs, and overseeing international and national event marketing and licensing. He also served on the IIHF Coaching Committee as well as several sports advisory committees.

During Nicholson’s time as president and CEO of Hockey Canada, Canada’s national teams have won 76 medals at world championships, Olympics and World Cups, including 44 gold medals. Canada has won seven Olympic gold medals, 12 world junior titles, five men's world championships and 10 women's world championships.

Asked what advice he'd give to his successor, Nicholson again brought it back to the people, not the medals. 

"Care about the game, make sure it's safe, make sure that you're in Flin Flon and all the small (towns with) minor hockey across the country," he said. "Talk about sledge Hockey, talk about women's Hockey. The other stuff will come." 

"I want it to be about kids, kids playing the game," Nicholson said. "If we have a lot of kids playing the game, we're going to win gold medals."

Nicholson pointed to one area where he feels Hockey Canada still has work to do.

"To new Canadians, we've got to make sure new kids play this game," he said. "It's going to be a huge challenge for everyone. We have to do it and we have to make sure it's right."

Nicholson said he will stay on as vice-president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, a position he has held since Sept. 25, 2012.