Byron Seaman

Byron Seaman
Seaman in 1945 at the University of Saskatchewan
Born
Byron James Seaman

(1923-09-07)September 7, 1923
Rouleau, Saskatchewan, Canada
DiedApril 24, 2021(2021-04-24) (aged 97)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
EducationBSc Mechanical Engineering
Alma materUniversity of Saskatchewan
OccupationBusinessman
Known forPart-owner of the Calgary Flames

Byron James Seaman (September 7, 1923 – April 24, 2021) was a Canadian businessman. He was the co-owner of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL) for three decades from 1980 until 2010.

Early life

Seaman was born in Rouleau, Saskatchewan,[1] on September 7, 1923.[2] He was one of four children of Byron Luther Seaman and Mae Patton, who were both born and raised in the United States.[3] He attended the University of Saskatchewan and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1945.[4]

Career

Seaman moved to Alberta shortly after graduating to work in the oil industry with his two brothers, Donald and Daryl Seaman. They first established Seaman Engineering and Drilling Co. Ltd. (shortened to Sedco). It became noted for providing the option of turnkey contracts at a fixed price, rather than bidding a price for every foot drilled. The company also covered a portion of the drilling costs to secure the contract, as well as for services like cementing and casing. Sedco ultimately merged with three other companies in June 1962 to form Bow Valley Industries.[5] Seaman went on to serve as CEO of Bow Valley (later Bovar, Inc) from 1976 to 1987, and as chairman from 1987 to 1990.[6][7]

Seaman was one of the original six owners of the Calgary Flames, along with his brother Daryl, Harley Hotchkiss, Norman Kwong, Norman Green, and Ralph Thomas Scurfield.[8] Under his co-ownership, the franchise won their only Stanley Cup in 1989.[9] They reached two other Stanley Cup Finals in 1986 and 2004, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games in the latter.[8] Seaman remained a part-owner of the Flames until 2010,[10] one year after his brother Daryl died.[1]

Along with his brother and Hotchkiss, Seaman was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.[11][12][13] He was also conferred the Governor General's medal.[1]

Personal life

Seaman was married to Evelyn until she died in 2003 from cancer and Parkinson's disease. Together, they had four children.[1] Seaman died on April 24, 2021, at the age of 97.[1][9][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Calgary Flames founding co-owner Byron 'B.J.' Seaman dead at 97". CBC News. The Canadian Press. April 29, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  2. ^ "Remembering the life of Byron (BJ) Seaman". Calgary Herald. May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  3. ^ Sharpe, Sydney (October 27, 2008). Staying in the Game: The Remarkable Story of Doc Seaman. Dundurn. pp. 21–22. ISBN 9781550028812.
  4. ^ "Honorary Degrees – University of Saskatchewan". library.usask.ca.
  5. ^ Gow, Bonar Alexander; Gow, Sandy (2005). Roughnecks, Rock Bits and Rigs: The Evolution of Oil Well Drilling Technology in Alberta, 1883–1970. University of Calgary Press. pp. 59–60. ISBN 9781552380673.
  6. ^ "Standard and Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives". Standard & Poor's Corporation. September 11, 1997 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Times, Financial; Publishing, Financial Times Business (September 11, 1980). "Financial Times Who's who in World Oil and Gas". Longman Group – via Google Books. {{cite web}}: |first2= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ a b Stewart, J.D.M.; Tiemstra, Kelvin (May 8, 2012). "Calgary Flames". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Gilbertson, Wes (April 29, 2021). "Original Flames owner Byron J. Seaman remembered for his competitive streak and firm handshake". Calgary Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "Flames Mourn the Passing of Byron J. Seaman". Calgary Flames. April 29, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  11. ^ "Byron J. Seaman". Saskatchewan Oil Patch Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on November 2, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  12. ^ "Calgary Flames and Flames Ambassadors salute Doc and BJ Seaman". NHL.com. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  13. ^ "Calgary Flames History". Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  14. ^ Gilbertson, Wes (April 29, 2021). "Flames mourn passing of Byron J. Seaman". Calgary Herald. Retrieved April 29, 2021.