Former Oilers owner weighs in on Katz’s recent moves

Exterior aerial view of the proposed downtown arena at night from the south. Supplied.

In the wake of recent developments in the downtown arena story, the former owner of Edmonton’s NHL team weighed in, and said it’s just business, and he believes the team won’t go anywhere.

“Sometimes you need a little pressure with politicians,” Former Oilers Peter Pocklington said.

Pocklington was referring to a recent trip by Daryl Katz, and other Oilers executives to Seattle.

The trip happened on the same day Seattle City Council approved a new arena, built to attract a professional sports team – its timing sparked fears in Edmonton over whether Katz was planning on moving the Oilers out of Edmonton.

A statement from the Katz Group said the company had seen a number of proposals for other potential markets for the team.

However, Pocklington said the move will simply help Katz get a downtown arena done in Edmonton.

“I mean, he knows what he’s got,” Pocklington said. “It’s probably the best city in North America for a franchise.”

One city councillor noted what Katz was attempting to do, but believes it’s not what Katz should be doing.

“He’s trying to encourage council to sit up and take notice,” Councillor Bryan Anderson said.

Anderson said he believed the Katz Group should bring their case to City Hall instead.

“If that’s the case, we’re in effect going to be asked specific questions, and at that time I think we can give them specific answers.”

City officials said they’re meeting regularly with the Katz Group, Mayor Stephen Mandel has set a deadline of October 17 for the company to come forward to City Council to outline what they want.

Mandel has said, without that meeting, the whole deal could be in jeopardy.

With files from Bill Fortier