Bob Nicholson to resign as Hockey Canadas CEO

Bob Nicholson will announce he's stepping down as Hockey Canada president and CEO at a press conference Friday in Toronto.

Nicholson confirmed his departure in an email, calling it the "greatest job in hockey in the world" that he will truly miss and adding that it was time for new leadership to take the organization to another level.

Nicholson has held the position for over 15 years and been involved with Hockey Canada going back to 1990.

In the email, sent to several members of the media, Nicholson credited Murray Costello for giving him a start with Hockey Canada and the ability to build on what already existed.

Before going to Hockey Canada, he spent six years as senior vice-president of the Canadian Hockey Association and two years as vice-president of programs with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association.

Under Nicholson's watch, Canada has won seven Olympic gold medals, 12 world junior titles, five men's world championships and 10 women's world championships.

A Hockey Canada spokesman would not comment on the reports of his departure, and would only confirm that a news conference has been scheduled for early Friday afternoon at the Toronto Maple Leafs' practice facility.