George N. Gillett, Jr. is an American businessman born in 1938. In 2000 Gillett joined forces with Pat Bowlen and John Elway in a failed attempt to buy the NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche and Pepsi Center. On January 2, 2001 Gillett bought an 80% interest in the NHL Montreal Canadiens and their home arena, the Bell Centre (then called the Molson Centre), for US$185 million. Prior to the purchase, Gillett had shown interest in the Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, and the Phoenix Coyotes. Gillett's bid initially raised fears that he might move the NHL's oldest franchise to the United States. However, after no other viable offers surfaced from Canadian interests, Molson agreed to Gillett's offer. Molson, however, maintained the right of first refusal should Gi