Calgary Flames/Hitmen Owner passes away

Press Release

The Western Hockey League is mourning the loss of Calgary Flames/Hitmen owner Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman who passed away Sunday. He was 86.

Mr. Seaman was one of the original six owners of the Calgary Flames and was instrumental in purchasing and bringing the Atlanta Flames and the National Hockey League to Calgary in 1980.

His brother, Byron, Ralph T. Scurfield, Norm Green, Normie Kwong and Harley Hotchkiss were also among the first owners.

“From a philanthropic standpoint, no one has had more impact in the game of hockey in Canada than ‘Doc’ Seaman,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, “’Doc’ truly cared about the game at all levels and supported many new research and development initiatives, including the WHL Education program, which have had a major impact in the game throughout Canada and abroad.”

Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman was a pioneer in promoting higher education and hockey. For many years Doc Seaman was a staunch supporter of the efforts of Hockey Canada and the Western Hockey League to ensure all players are able to combine education with hockey. As well, he has been a great promoter of the City of Calgary, as evidenced by his efforts to bring the Atlanta Flames to Calgary to become the beloved Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League.

Due to Seaman's support for programs that promote the combining of education and hockey, and the Western Hockey League's education program in particular, the WHL chose to name the Scholastic Player of the Year Award in honour of Doc Seaman in 1996.

Mr. Seaman was born in Rouleau, Saskatchewan. At the time of his passing he was Chairman and President of Dox Investments Inc; a director of a number of public companies and an active supporter of several local charities and community projects.

He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. He received two honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from U of S and University of Calgary. He also received the Rotary International's Paul Harris Fellowship Award, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Mr. Seaman served as a RCAF World War II pilot for five years with extensive tours in England, North Africa, Sicily, and Italy.

Some of his other achievements include a Governor General's appointment to the Royal Commission on Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada, 1982-1985. He was awarded the Assocation of Professional Engineers Frank Spragins Award and the McGill University Management Achievement Award. In 1987, he was made a life member of the Associaton of Professional Engineers of Alberta. He was also inducted into the Saskatchewan Oil & Gas Industry Hall of Fame in 1989.

In 1994, he sponsored the D.K. Seaman Chair in Technical and Professional Communication at U of S. In 1997, he was inducted into the Canadian Oilmen's Hall of Fame. In 2001, he was made an honorary regent of the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame and received the Humanitarian Award. In 2004, he was inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame.

Besides the Flames, Mr. Seaman's hockey experience includes; Notre Dame Hounds, Wilcox, Moose Jaw Canucks, and he was an original Governor of the Hockey Canada Foundation.

On June 1, 2007, he was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame together with his brother Byron and Harley Hotchkiss, as builders who brought the Flames from Atlanta to Calgary in 1980.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)