Quick Facts
Biography
W. Graeme Roustan (born July 21, 1960) is a Canadian and American businessman, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, activist investor, speaker and philanthropist.
Early life and education
W. Graeme Roustan was born on July 21, 1960 in Sherbrooke, Estrie, Quebec, Canada.
In the years 1981-1985, he studied Finance and International Business at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec.
In 1989, he undertook Stock Broker Training program at Merrill Lynch. In 2014, he enrolled at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and received his ICD.D as class valedictorian in 2015, and in addition, earned "Board Leadership Fellow" after completing the "Master's Class" at the National Association of Corporate Directors in the U.S.A.
Career
W. Graeme Roustan began his financial career with a Wall Street firm before launching his own firm, Roustan Capital in 1991. Roustan has been involved in many investments in the manufacturing, consumer products, aviation, sports and entertainment industries and is well known for pursuing high-profile global brands. Roustan is the former Chairman of the Board of Performance Sports Group (NYSE:PSG) (TSX:PSG), and currently the Chairman and CEO of both GTA Sports and Entertainment and Roustan Capital, he is also the Governor of the Canadian Women's Hockey League.
Activist Investor
Roustan has been identified as an activist investor as he has challenged the decision Performance Sports Group made to open retail stores. He called on the removal of the CEO in January 2016 and the CEO resigned in March. He subsequently called for the resignation of the Chairman, the position he held previously.
Nike Bauer Hockey Acquisition
In 1995, Nike purchased Canstar, owner of Bauer, Cooper, Micron, Daoust, Flak and Tuuk brands which is now Performance Sports Group (NYSE:PSG)(TSX:PSG) for $395 million. Then, in 2008 Roustan lead a group which acquired the company for a price of $200 million. Performance Sports Group then acquired Mission Itech from Roustan’s contact, Bob Naegele Jr. owner of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL and Kevin Compton owner of the San Jose Sharks and a former partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in 2008 to create what is said to be the largest hockey company in the world. Then as Chairman, Roustan took the company public with its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange in March 2011 (TSX:PSG) and as of 2014 is co-listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PSG). After serving five years as Chairman of Performance Sports Group, in late 2012, Roustan stepped down as Chairman so that he could pursue other opportunities like the development of the GTA Centre.
National Hockey League Franchise Efforts
In 1988, Roustan moved to San Jose, California with the desire to re-establish an NHL franchise in the San Francisco Bay Area. The group he led concluded its efforts once the then owners of the Minnesota North Stars were awarded the San Jose franchise.
In 2009, Roustan was a leading contender out of ten bids to acquire 81 percent of "Habs" (nickname for the Montreal Canadiens). In 2012, Roustan pursued the development of the GTA Centre, a 20,000 seat arena to be built in the Greater Toronto Area with the desire to acquire a second NHL team for the region. In 2013, the City of Markham, Ontario rejected a plan which would have sourced half the funds from the local development community and Roustan source the other half. In 2015, the NHL announced its process for applying for a new franchise and Roustan stated that he would request an application but was unable to submit it within the two week window as prescribed by the NHL.
Canadian Women’s Hockey League
W. Graeme Roustan is a current Governor of the Canadian Women's Hockey League, whilst he was the Chairman of Performance Sports Group he secured Bauer as the first major CWHL sponsor.
Personal life
W. Graeme Roustan was born on July 21, 1960 in Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada. Born to a French father and English mother, he was raised along with his three siblings in Montreal.
USA Visa Lottery
In 1987, Roustan entered and won the U.S. Department of Justice’s, NP5 Immigration Visa Lottery which in addition to his Canadian citizenship, lead to him also becoming a citizen of the U.S.A in 1995.
Pilot
Roustan is a FAA certified private pilot.
Philanthropy
In 1992, Roustan along with his brother Wayne Roustan established Hockey for the Homeless, a Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization in response to Hurricane Andrew, which produced hockey tournaments and a celebrity hockey game to benefit Habitat for Humanity. In recent years, Roustan has made contributions towards the development of community ice rinks in cooperation with foundations of the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators and to the Canadian Women's Hockey League.