Occupation Sports entrepreneur | Name Harry Ornest | |
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Born June 30, 1923 ( 1923-06-30 ) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Cause of death Complications of a stroke Died 1998, Los Angeles, California, United States Resting place Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery Organization National Hockey League, Canadian Football League, Pacific Coast League | ||
Harry Ornest (June 30, 1923 – July 21, 1998) was a sports entrepreneur who once owned the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also played minor league baseball, was a linesman in the NHL, and a referee in the American Hockey League.
Ornest was a Jewish, Los Angeles-based businessman who made his fortune in vending machines. In 1978 he founded the minor league baseball franchise, the Vancouver Canadians, which played in the Pacific Coast League. He purchased a majority of the assets of Sick's Stadium in Seattle for $60,000 to use in the new team's ballpark, Nat Bailey Stadium. Ornest was the owner of the St. Louis Blues from 1983 to 1986. When he owned the Blues, Ornest changed their arena's name from the Checkerdome back to the St. Louis Arena. He owned the Toronto Argonauts from 1988 to 1991.