The Erie Otters announced that owner Jim Waters died unexpectedly Friday morning at the age of 73. 

"The Waters family is just beginning to absorb this shocking loss and will release a more personal tribute to Jim, an extraordinary husband, father, and friend to all who knew him," the team said in a statement. "The team shares in the grief felt by all who knew Jim and sends their deepest sympathies to his families and friends."
 
He purchased the Erie Otters in 2015. He helped guide the team to its second OHL Championship in 2017.
 
The Ontario Hockey League released this statement.
 
“This is very sad news for so many people across the OHL,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “Jim was very involved with the Otters franchise; it was a real passion for him. The League would like to send thoughts and condolences to Jim’s wife, Sheila, along with his daughters Maxine and Ellie. He was a brilliant and ambitious man who achieved great things and treated others with a genuine kindness and we’ll miss him very much.”
 
Waters spent 35 years in broadcasting with CHUM Ltd, a company that featured 33 radio stations across Canada. He was named the Broadcasting Executive of the Year at Canadian Music Week in March 2001. He was also elected into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2007, according to the OHL's release.
 
Waters was a member of the OHL's Executive Council of the Board of Governors since 2021-22.
 

“We’re thankful for Jim’s contributions over the course of his ownership tenure, and we’re all very saddened by this loss,” said Tim Lukenda, Chairman of the OHL Board of Governors and Owner of the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club. “Jim has done tremendous work in Erie. He was always very proud of the Otters and we’ve all benefitted from the vision and insight he’s brought to the OHL.”

The League will hold a moment of silence in recognition of Jim Waters prior to the start of games league-wide throughout the rest of the weekend.