DAK Holdings was founded as Katz Group in 1991, and is the successor to OEG Inc. The group’s history has been defined by the bold and long-term vision of its Founder, Daryl Katz, for building successful businesses in pharmacy, retail, real estate, sports, entertainment and hospitality. DAK Holdings is the parent holding company to a group of companies whose growth continues to be shaped by leaders who share a long-term vision for building exceptional businesses, creating lasting value and helping kids, families and communities in need. The entrepreneurial spirit that built Katz Group into DAK Holdings continues to drive the company’s success across a diverse portfolio of investments and operating businesses.
Our Story
Our People
Daryl Katz
Founder and Chairman
Brad Gilewich
President
Hugh Weber
Director
Jürgen Schreiber
Director
Paul Marcaccio
Director
History
1991
Daryl Katz purchases the Canadian franchise rights to Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy for $300,000
1994–1998
Acquires Rexall, PharmaPlus and Drug Trading Co., adding the Guardian and I.D.A. pharmacy banners
1999
Expands into the United States through the acquisition of Snyder’s Drug Stores
2001
Acquires U.S.-based Drug Emporium
2004
Launches a national transformation of the Rexall brand through major retail investments, store modernization and customer experience initiatives
Acquires naming rights to Rexall Place in Edmonton and Rexall Centre in Toronto
2006
Leads a landmark $25 million fundraising campaign for the University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
2008
Acquires the Edmonton Oilers and the Edmonton Oil Kings and establishes Rexall Sports Corp. (now OEG Sports & Entertainment)
2010
Begins assembling a 25-acre parcel of contiguous real estate in downtown Edmonton
2012
Unveiling of the plans for ICE District, now North America’s second largest mixed-use sports and entertainment district
Sale of independent pharmacy franchise business (I.D.A. and Guardian) to McKesson Corporation for C$900 million
2013
OEGSE partners with the City of Edmonton to develop Rogers Place
2014
Acquisition of the Bakersfield Condors
Construction begins on ICE District Phase I
2015
Oilers win NHL draft lottery and select Erie Otters star Connor McDavid
Acquisition of interest in Oliver & Bonacini, a leading Canadian restaurant, hospitality and event group
2016
Edmonton Tower opens in ICE District
Rogers Place opens in ICE District
Ford Hall opens in ICE District
Dark Castle releases The Nice Guys, starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling
Sale of Rexall Health to McKesson Corporation in a transaction valued at C$2.9 billion
2017
Edmonton Oilers return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 11 years
Acquisition of the majority interest in Oliver & Bonacini
2018
Stantec Tower opens in ICE District
SKY Residences open in ICE District
Edmonton Tower sold to AIMCo in a transaction valued at C$400 million
Oliver & Bonacini acquires Concorde Entertainment Group
2019
Acquisition of the master franchise rights for Tokyo Smoke
Sale of Stantec Tower to DEKA Immobolien in a transaction valued at more than C$500 million
JW Marriott ICE District and The Legends Private Residences open in ICE District
Bakersfield Condors capture their first Pacific Division title
2020
NHL selects Edmonton as Hub City to host the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs at Rogers Place and ICE District
2021
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) selects Edmonton and Rogers Place to host the 2021 World Junior Championships
Bakersfield Condors win second Pacific Division title
2022
Launch of DAK Holdings (formerly Katz Group)
Oil Kings WHL Champions
Official opening of ICE District Plaza
Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation sets NHL record with $20 million reinvested in a single season
Dark Castle releases Orphan: First Kill, starring Isabelle Fuhrman and Julia Stiles
2023
Completes the acquisition of Tokyo Smoke retail stores and brand from Canopy Growth
OEGSE hosts the 2023 NHL Heritage Classic
Official opening of Fan Park @ ICE District
ICE District Phase I Complete
2024
Acquisition of Northern Glow and Seeker cannabis businesses
Edmonton Oilers capture the 2023-24 Western Conference Championship
Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation reaches $100 million community investment milestone
2025
Launch of Vitalicann, Canada’s patient-focused medical cannabis platform
Dark Castle releases Last Breath, starring Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu, and Shell Starring Elisabeth Moss and Kate Hudson
Edmonton Oilers capture a second consecutive Western Conference Championship
Signed Master Agreement with City of Edmonton and Government of Alberta to expand ICE District with a new Event Park and Village at ICE District residential development
2026
Blackline Safety shareholders approve go-private transaction valued at CAD$850 million, with DAK Capital as the largest shareholder and Francisco Partners as sponsor
NHL select Rogers Place and ICE District as host of World Cup of Hockey 2028
Rogers Place and ICE District celebrate their 10th anniversary
ICE District surpasses $3.2 billion in economic impact and helps stimulate more than $4 billion in additional downtown development
Design and development advance on Event Park and Village at ICE District (ICE District Phase II)
OEG Inc. becomes DAK Holdings Corp., the parent holding company of OEGSE, TS Retail Enterprises and OEG Hospitality
Hugh Weber appointed Chief Executive Officer of OEGSE