It took seven months to complete the deal which transferred ownership of the Prince George Cougars franchise from Rick Brodsky, who brought the team from Victoria in 1994, to the EDGEPRO Sports & Entertainment group headed by Greg Pocock. Here's how the deal went down:
September 2013
Brodsky's lawyer, Grant Zimmerman, informed Pocock the Cougars were for sale.
Oct. 1
Pocock got together with Ray Fortier, his former business partner at Prince George Hydromechanical, to invite him to pursue ownership of the Cougars, a team they originally discussed buying 14 or 15 years ago. Several days later, partners Ernest Ouellet and John Pateman joined forces to form one of two separate local groups pursuing Cougars ownership.
Early November
Pocock first approached Dan Hamhuis to ask if he wanted to become involved in the Cougars.
Dec. 15
Pocock's group received a consultant's report which evaluated the logistics of buying the team, which convinced them to pursue a deal with Brodsky.
Dec. 27
At a shareholders meeting in Vancouver to discuss their business plan, Hamhuis suggested Eric Brewer as a partner in the franchise.
Jan. 2, 2014
Pocock meets with Brewer in Calgary to discuss and finalize terms of their offer.
Late March
Brodsky and new owners sign a transfer of ownership contract, which on March 28 was filed with the WHL head office in Calgary. A source close to the group estimated the deal to be worth $7 million.
April 30
WHL governors unanimously approve sale of Cougars at a special meeting in Calgary. The group becomes known as EDGEPRO Sports & Entertainment Ltd., an acronym made up of the names of the investors involved -- Ernest Ouellet, Dan Hamhuis, Greg Pocock, Eric Brewer, John Pateman and Ray Fortier.
