EDMONTON -- Former Hockey Canada top executive Bob Nicholson is joining the Edmonton Oilers to oversee business operations, promising to take a scalpel -- not a bulldozer -- to the struggling NHL franchise. "There are a lot of things that are going very well in this organization. Im not coming in here to rip things apart," Nicholson told reporters Friday. "I know what Hockey Canada was when I started, and I know where this (Oilers) organization is today. "There are huge challenges, but I think there could be something very special in this city." Oilers owner Daryl Katz was not at the news conference, a not unusual occurrence for the reclusive pharmacy magnate. Nicholsons hiring is part of a corporate reorganization for Katzs sports entertainment properties. Under the newly named Oilers Entertainment Group, or OEG, Katz will be chairman while former Oiler Kevin Lowe and Nicholson will be vice-chairmen. Lowe will continue to be in charge of hockey operations while Nicholson will handle the business side -- but both said they expect the other to help out across the board. Patrick LaForge remains in charge of day-to-day business operations as president and chief operating officer. Nicholson spent 16 years as president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada, officially stepping down May 31. Canadian hockey teams excelled under his watch, winning numerous championships including seven Olympic gold medals. Lowe and Nicholson worked closely on Canadas Olympic teams, and Nicholson said that relationship was a key reason he signed up with the Oilers. "The relationship that I have with Kevin, and the one that Ive really developed with Daryl over the last little bit, had a big part," said Nicholson. "I had a great job with Hockey Canada. I didnt have to rush into anything. I was going to play a little more golf. "But when you get a chance to work with the right people in the right organization, the time was right to join the Oilers." Lowe said Nicholson has already started delivering ideas on the hockey side. "Yesterday Bob sat in on pro scouting meetings and was engaged with the scouts," said Lowe. "Hell be as involved as much as we can get him, and I know that will be a massive addition to this organization. "Hes as passionate about fixing the Oilers as we all are." In addition to the Oilers, OEG owns the 2014 Memorial Cup Champion Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), the Oklahoma City Barons (AHL) and the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL). Lowe said more franchises are part of the long-term game plan. "Hopefully well acquire more in the future years," he said. "(Im) not predicting anything, but we know that our owner has great vision." The Oilers and the City of Edmonton have also broken ground on a new downtown arena that is slated to open for the start of the 2016-17 season. Nicholson joins a franchise and a fan base desperate for success. The Oilers have missed the playoffs every year since advancing to the Stanley Cup final in 2006. The team has been criticized for sub par scouting and poor player development, failing to rebuild the team despite having three of the last four first-overall draft picks. Other changes are underway. Earlier this week, the team announced Craig Ramsay will join Dallas Eakins coaching staff to handle the defence and power play. Assistant coach Kelly Buchberger will move over to player development. Seattle Mariners Pro Shop . PAUL, Minn. Custom Seattle Mariners Jerseys . -- Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday. https://www.cheapmariners.com/. - Playing a road game against a division rival raises the intensity for linebacker Clay Matthews. Mariners Jerseys China . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St. Mariners Jerseys 2020 .Y. -- The New York Islanders were seeking a positive finish to a frustrating season on home ice.1. A steady supply of refreshmentsLets face it: looking down a tournament consisting of 68 teams, 67 games, and 134 halves of exciting basketball, you have time for a beverage or two. Draw up your own personal version of the Washington Posts celebrated March Madness beer bracket. If youre not passed out by the time Kansas gets eliminated, youre doing it wrong. 2. Your finest throwback jersey The Wilt? The Kareem? The Laettner? Whatever your style, no March Madness would be complete unless youre decked out in some properly sleeveless vintage threads (And in the process, take a trip down memory lane to the days when Vince Carter still bothered to dunk). 3. NCAA snuggies But why stop with jerseys? If the plan is not to leave the sofa til somebody cuts the net down, you might as well stay cozy in one of these terribly comfortable (and terribly gaudy) college hoops snuggies. 4. A mini hoop for your living room Do you sit around daydreaming about draining a three at the buzzer? Well, forget about going outside to prove that you could have nailed it—if only coach had put you in. Instead, take the time to perfect your flick, re-create unforgettable dunks, and re-live the tourneys most brutal posterizations--all without putting your pants on. For more serious in-home hoopsters, set up both an NBA and college three-point line. 5. This insanely awesome 90s basketball pen This year, youll need two brackets. One is the TSN Tournament Challenge, where you compete online against your friends. The other is the hard copy version, which will stare you down from your coffee table throughout the tourney. To check off your genius upset picks as they happen, look no further than this insanely cool basketball pen. 6. The best basketball movies When the last buzzer sounds and your insatiable craving for hoops remains thooroughly unquenched, the best basketball movies of all time are here to fill the void.dddddddddddd We recommend starting with this classic trifecta: Hoosiers, He Got Game, and White Men Cant Jump. If youre still wired after 13 hours of Madness and three feature films, well, theres always Space Jam. 7. Star-tracking resources Youre going to hear a lot of new names over the next couple weeks, and at times it can feel like information overload. Youll definitely require some background info on where each tournament-conquering scorer might fall in the upcoming NBA Draft. For all that and much, much nerdier stats and information, look to two resources: NBADraft.net and DraftExpress.com. Track the stars, keep tabs on whose draft stock is rising or falling, and find out who could be the next Amare Stoudemire (with the heart of a champion, of course). 8. A March Madness map Just where is Gonzaga, anyway? What the heck is Creighton? And where exactly might one find Stephen F. Austin State University? March Madness geography questions require answers. This interactive map is a handy geographical guide to college basketballs biggest programs, and it also outlines how much each teams coach is paid per tournament win. 9. March Madness Bingo A blog called For All Momkind came up with this genius idea to make the tourney a touch more exciting: March Madness bingo cards. Employ them to add a much-needed layer of intrigue to the impending deluge of college hoops clichés. 10. TSN GO Naturally, wed be remiss not to close with a reminder that the whole tourney is available to all TSN subscribers on the networks newly-launched digital live streaming service. If youre somehow tied up away from the big screen due to work-related commitments, its the perfect antidote to that whole having-a-career thing. ' ' '