W. Graeme Roustan, owner of TRUE Sports, Roustan Sports and The Hockey News, has thrown his hat into the Hockey Canada ring for a seat on its board.
“Hockey has brought me a rich life both on and off the ice, and it is because of these riches that I would love to give back to the Canadian game that has given me so much during my life,” said Roustan.
“It is for this reason, and the knowledge that I have the prerequisite and necessary credentials as well as experience, that I wish to serve all of Canada’s stakeholders as a Director of Hockey Canada.”
The announcement, excerpted from Roustan’s application cover letter, was made in Roustan’s Publisher’s Note in the latest issue of The Hockey News.
Roustan made a number of pledges in his letter, which was accompanied by his CV and Hockey Canada application form.
If elected, he would pay his own travel expenses, never submit an expense-reimbursement request, not accept any gifts, and recuse himself from any discussions that might be perceived as a conflict of interest.
In addition, Roustan would donate 13,000 youth hockey sticks for each year he serves on the board – 1,000 to each province and territory.
“I believe that I have a unique set of experience and business skills that Hockey Canada and all lovers of hockey across Canada can benefit from now more than ever before,” Roustan wrote. “My forty years of experience in the hockey industry are well-known, much of which has been documented in the media. I am well-known by industry leaders, the International Ice Hockey Federation and its member nation associations and organizations around the world.
“My understanding of what Hockey Canada represents to Canadians and the rest of the members of the International Ice Hockey Federation is crystal clear, as I have spent the better part of my life traveling the world on hockey-related business while having the pleasure of playing hockey throughout Canada, the U.S. and around the world.”