Patrick LaForge
Encyclopedia
Patrick LaForge is the President
and CEO
of the Edmonton Oilers
. He was born in Lac la Biche and raised in Edmonton
.
In July 2000, he was hired as President and CEO of the Edmonton Oilers organization. Since the day he was hired, he has worked actively to build pride of ownership for the organization while exploring to strengthen and stabilize the club commercially. On July 2, 2008, the Oilers were purchased by Edmonton billionaire Daryl Katz
. Today, working from one of the smallest markets in the League, the Oilers are one of the most financially successful Clubs in the NHL and rated as a Top 10 sports club in the world by Money Magazine
.
One of LaForge’s most broadly known achievements has to be his role in producing the inaugural regular season NHL
game played outdoors, called the Heritage Classic
. The game highlighted the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens
playing in front of 57,167 Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton
in winter of 2003. The Heritage Classic paved the way to an annual outdoor hockey game in the NHL, attracting fans worldwide.
Presently, LaForge is coordinating the development of Katz Group's Edmonton arena & district project, a development that may be paid in part with public dollars.
LaForge had another major achievement has to be the return of the Edmonton Oil Kings
of the Western Hockey League
in 2007. The once legendary major junior team won two Memorial Cups before leaving town in 1976 and under the Oilers stewardship.
Currently, LaForge is also an Alternate Governor for the Oilers in the NHL and Governor of the Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League.
of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
.
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. He was born in Lac la Biche and raised in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
.
In July 2000, he was hired as President and CEO of the Edmonton Oilers organization. Since the day he was hired, he has worked actively to build pride of ownership for the organization while exploring to strengthen and stabilize the club commercially. On July 2, 2008, the Oilers were purchased by Edmonton billionaire Daryl Katz
Daryl Katz
Daryl Allan Katz is a Canadian businessman, philanthropist, and arts patron. With an estimated net worth of $US 2.0 billion , Katz was ranked by Forbes as the 16th wealthiest Canadian and 595th in the world...
. Today, working from one of the smallest markets in the League, the Oilers are one of the most financially successful Clubs in the NHL and rated as a Top 10 sports club in the world by Money Magazine
Money Magazine
Money Magazine is a business news and financial programme that is broadcast on Sundays at 7:00pm in Hong Kong by television channel TVB Pearl.-Producers and reporters:...
.
One of LaForge’s most broadly known achievements has to be his role in producing the inaugural regular season NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
game played outdoors, called the Heritage Classic
Heritage Classic
The Heritage Classic was an outdoor ice hockey game played on November 22, 2003, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, between the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens. It was the first National Hockey League game to be played outdoors as a part of regular season play...
. The game highlighted the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
playing in front of 57,167 Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
in winter of 2003. The Heritage Classic paved the way to an annual outdoor hockey game in the NHL, attracting fans worldwide.
Presently, LaForge is coordinating the development of Katz Group's Edmonton arena & district project, a development that may be paid in part with public dollars.
LaForge had another major achievement has to be the return of the Edmonton Oil Kings
Edmonton Oil Kings
This article refers to the original Oil Kings franchises that existed until 1978. For the current team that began play in 2007, see Edmonton Oil Kings...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
in 2007. The once legendary major junior team won two Memorial Cups before leaving town in 1976 and under the Oilers stewardship.
Currently, LaForge is also an Alternate Governor for the Oilers in the NHL and Governor of the Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League.
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Patrick LaForge is the immediate past presidentPresident
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
.