After more than 15 years working in and behind the scenes at the Scotiabank Saddledome, Rick Tulsie has become one of the most experienced event supervisors in the building’s history.
But as a new arena looms on Calgary’s horizon, he faces the reality that both the space and his role within it are about to change.
Tulsie’s career has been built on events, people, and the moments that connect them.
He began by focusing on operations, ensuring hockey games and concerts ran smoothly.
But over time, his purpose shifted toward something more personal, and now he takes particular pride in watching young employees grow into their careers.
“I’ve seen those 17-year-olds become teachers, parents, and professionals,” Tulsie said.
The recognizable presence
While the Saddledome has hosted countless major events, Tulsie insists the relationships he’s built matter more than any single game or concert.
“The big games are great, but it’s about the people,” he said.
That philosophy has defined his approach, making him a familiar and approachable presence throughout the arena. For fans and staff alike, Tulsie is as much a part of the experience as the events themselves.
For season ticket holders like 17-year-old Aiden Milroy, Tulsie is a well-known soul in the building.
“You can find him anywhere around the west concourse,” Milroy said.
Milroy added that Tulsie’s connection to the community stands out most.
“I hope to see Rick around the new building; he is always interacting with fans,” he said.
A mentor behind the scenes
For employees, Tulsie’s impact goes even deeper. Jack Bieth, also 17, works at the Saddledome under Tulsie’s supervision and describes him as an essential part of the workplace.
“Rick is an icon in the Saddledome, well-liked by both fans and staff,” Bieth said. “It’s his passion to ensure everyone is having a positive experience.”
Bieth hopes that presence carries forward into the future.
“Rick provides both passion and knowledge to produce an optimal guest experience,” said Bieth.
He stressed that without Tulsie, he would not be the worker or the person he is today.
“There isn’t a day in the Saddledome where I don’t see him smiling, it’s almost contagious.”
A global perspective on hockey culture
Among the many events he has overseen, Tulsie points to the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship as his favourite.
The tournament brought together fans from across the globe, offering a new perspective on the sport.
“Swiss fans brought bells, and European teams chanted like soccer crowds. It showed me what hockey culture looks like outside North America,” he said.
The energy and diversity of those crowds left a lasting impression, reinforcing his appreciation for the community aspect of sport.
An uncertain but inevitable transition
Tulsie knows the future will look different, despite his deep experience. Calgary’s upcoming new arena Scotia Place, will be larger and more complex, with multiple concourses and additional ice surfaces – features that may limit the hands-on, wide-reaching role he currently holds.
“There’s no way one person will oversee what I currently manage,” he said. “I’ll stay in a people-focused role, but it’s a new building and a new generation coming in.”
“Eventually, everyone hangs up the stick,” he said. “I’ll enjoy the ride and trust that loving what you do takes care of the rest.”
Outside the arena
Outside the arena, Tulsie leads a life that contrasts sharply with the polished environment of event management. He runs a grass-fed cattle operation east of Calgary with about 100 head.
“When I’m not here in a suit and tie, I’m in coveralls and muck boots,” he said.
His interest in agriculture began with his father, who grew up in Guyana and valued outdoor skills and independence. The family’s hobby farm started with a single cow, eventually expanding into a larger herd as Tulsie invested his corporate earnings from a business and marketing career.
Leadership, is what he said, transferred naturally from the corporate world to both the farm and the arena.
Recognition for his work and leadership has included the White Hat Award, which he has been nominated for 15 consecutive years for his contributions to tourism.
Winning the mayor’s White Hat Award in 2022 holds special significance, happening in the same year his father passed away.
“My parents gave up everything so I could have opportunities here,” he said. “Winning that award would have made him proud.”
As the city prepares for change, Tulsie encourages people to revisit the arena before it disappears from the skyline.
“This isn’t just a hockey arena. This is Calgary’s culture,” he said. “If you have a memory here, come relive it. Before you know it, it will be gone.”