Daryl Seaman
Encyclopedia
Daryl Kenneth "Doc" Seaman, OC
, AOE
(April 28, 1922 – January 11, 2009) was a Canadian
businessman. He was also involved in the sport of ice hockey
as the owner of the Calgary Flames
and on various ice hockey commissions. Seaman was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
as a builder in 2010. He was also involved in the awarding of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was also involved with charitable foundations in Alberta.
, the son of Byron L. Seaman and Mae (Patton) Seaman, he received a Bachelor of Science
in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan
. During World War II
, he served with Royal Canadian Air Force
as a Flying Officer, flying 82 combat missions, and was wounded during combat in the North African campaign of the war.
In 1949, he was the Co-founder of Bow Valley Industries, an international oil and gas company. He sold his company to Talisman Energy
in 1994, but remained chairman of the board of directors of Bow Valley Energy Limited until his death.
From 1984 to 1985, he was a member of the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada.
He was part owner of the Calgary Flames
, and was one of the original group of six Calgary businessmen that worked to bring the National Hockey League
's Atlanta Flames
to Calgary in 1980. The other original investors are Harley Hotchkiss
, Ralph T. Scurfield, Byron Seaman, Norman Green, and Norman Kwong
. Seaman was instrumental in bringing the 1988 Winter Olympics
to Calgary and in building the Olympic Saddledome in 1983 for both the Winter Games and the Flames. He won the Stanley Cup
with the Flames in 1989.
Seaman and Hotchkiss combined to create Project 75 (now known as the Seaman Hotchkiss Hockey Foundation), a charitable organization that seeks to improve all aspects of hockey across Canada. The organization is credited as playing a major role in Canada's international success. It was through this foundation that Seaman built community arenas and offered scholarships.
Seaman died on January 11, 2009 after a long battle with prostate cancer. In his honour, the Hockey Hall of Fame
has named its new archive and resource centre at the MasterCard Centre
in Toronto
the D.K. (Doc) Seaman Hockey Resource Centre.
. In 1983, he was awarded an honorary
Doctor of Laws by the University of Saskatchewan. In 2004, he was inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame.
In 2008, he was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence
"for his leadership in the fields of energy and business and his longstanding involvement with civic and charitable organizations across Alberta".
Source: Hockey Hall of Fame.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, AOE
Alberta Order of Excellence
The Alberta Order of Excellence is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Alberta. Instituted in 1979 when Lieutenant Governor Frank C...
(April 28, 1922 – January 11, 2009) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman. He was also involved in the sport of ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
as the owner of the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
and on various ice hockey commissions. Seaman was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
as a builder in 2010. He was also involved in the awarding of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was also involved with charitable foundations in Alberta.
Career
Born in Rouleau, SaskatchewanRouleau, Saskatchewan
-Location:-External links:*** Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan...
, the son of Byron L. Seaman and Mae (Patton) Seaman, he received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served with Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
as a Flying Officer, flying 82 combat missions, and was wounded during combat in the North African campaign of the war.
In 1949, he was the Co-founder of Bow Valley Industries, an international oil and gas company. He sold his company to Talisman Energy
Talisman Energy
Talisman Energy Inc. is one of Canada's largest petroleum SB companies. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Talisman Energy has operations around the globe including: Canada and the United States of America in North America; Colombia and Peru in South America; Algeria in North Africa; United Kingdom,...
in 1994, but remained chairman of the board of directors of Bow Valley Energy Limited until his death.
From 1984 to 1985, he was a member of the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada.
He was part owner of the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, and was one of the original group of six Calgary businessmen that worked to bring the National Hockey League
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...
's Atlanta Flames
Atlanta Flames
The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the...
to Calgary in 1980. The other original investors are Harley Hotchkiss
Harley Hotchkiss
Harley Norman Hotchkiss, was a Canadian business and community leader who was best known for his contributions to health and sports development in Canada. He was one of the original owners that brought the National Hockey League's Atlanta Flames to Calgary in 1980 and remained a team owner until...
, Ralph T. Scurfield, Byron Seaman, Norman Green, and Norman Kwong
Norman Kwong
Norman Lim "Normie" Kwong, CM, AOE is a former professional athlete, sports executive, and was the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta...
. Seaman was instrumental in bringing the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
to Calgary and in building the Olympic Saddledome in 1983 for both the Winter Games and the Flames. He won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with the Flames in 1989.
Seaman and Hotchkiss combined to create Project 75 (now known as the Seaman Hotchkiss Hockey Foundation), a charitable organization that seeks to improve all aspects of hockey across Canada. The organization is credited as playing a major role in Canada's international success. It was through this foundation that Seaman built community arenas and offered scholarships.
Seaman died on January 11, 2009 after a long battle with prostate cancer. In his honour, the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
has named its new archive and resource centre at the MasterCard Centre
MasterCard Centre
The MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence or commonly the MasterCard Centre is a hockey facility located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It has four ice sheets and is the official practice facility for the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL hockey team, and their AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
the D.K. (Doc) Seaman Hockey Resource Centre.
Awards
In 1992, he was made an Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. In 1983, he was awarded an honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
Doctor of Laws by the University of Saskatchewan. In 2004, he was inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame.
In 2008, he was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence
Alberta Order of Excellence
The Alberta Order of Excellence is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Alberta. Instituted in 1979 when Lieutenant Governor Frank C...
"for his leadership in the fields of energy and business and his longstanding involvement with civic and charitable organizations across Alberta".
- 1979 - Founding Governor of Hockey Canada Foundation
- Member - 1980 Calgary Sports Advisory Committee
- Honorary Life Member - The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicist
- 1989 - Saskatchewan Oil & Gas Industry Hall of Fame
- 1993 - Officer, Order of Canada
- 1997 - Canadian Oilmen's Hall of Fame
- 2001 - Honorary Regent, Athol Murray College of Notre Dame
- 2007 - Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
- 2008 - Alberta Order of Excellence
Source: Hockey Hall of Fame.