The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation will induct 45 past and present-day scouts into its Wall of Honour during its inaugural dinner in Okotoks, Alta., on July 30. . . . Meet three of the honourees . . .
GERRY (TEX) EHMAN
(Nov. 3, 1932 — March 21, 2006)
A native of Cudworth, Sask., he was one of the architects of the four-time Stanley Cup-champion New York Islanders (1980-81-82-83). . . . Served as director of player personnel before being promoted to assistant GM and director of scouting in September 1982. . . . Scouted for St. Louis Blues for four seasons (1971-75) before joining the Islanders with whom he would spend 23 seasons on a full-time basis. . . . His 19-season playing career included 429 regular-season NHL games split between Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Oakland/California Golden Seals. . . . Was part of Stanley Cup winner with Toronto in 1963-64, then captained the AHL’s Rochester Americans to back-to-back titles (1964-65, 1965-66). . . . Inducted into AHL Hall of Fame in 2024.
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LORNE FREY
(April 17, 1950 —)
A native of Swift Current, he got seriously into scouting as assistant GM and assistant coach with the Swift Current Broncos (1986-91), before beginning a long association with the Tacoma/Kelowna Rockets in 1991. . . . Was assistant GM/director of player personnel through 2019-20 when he retired and was named senior advisor. . . . Won Memorial Cup titles with Broncos (1989) and Rockets (2004). . . . Tried his hand at coaching, working with SJHL’s Estevan Bruins as head coach for two seasons and spending two seasons with Saskatoon Blades, before getting into scouting. . . .Inducted in Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (1994) and Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame (2004) as a member of the 1988-89 Broncos.
BLAIR REID
(April 24, 1947—)
Born in Kinistino, Sask., he got into scouting in 1982 when Russ Farwell added him to Medicine Hat Tigers’ staff. . . . Blair’s son Brent was on Tigers’ list but died in car accident. Farwell brought in Blair to keep him involved. . . . Won two Memorial Cups (1987, 1988) with Tigers. . . . Spent three years with Seattle Thunderbirds before moving on as part-timer with Philadelphia Flyers (1991-2000). . . . Hired full-time by Phoenix Coyotes in 2000. Moved to Calgary Flames in 2007 for six seasons. . . . Retired in 2021 after seven seasons with Boston Bruins. . . . Spent 35 years as a firefighter for the Canadian government at CFB Suffield, retiring in 2001. . . . After volunteering with Medicine Hat Stampede at age 11 grew up to be rancher and founder of Dunmore Equestrian Society.
TAKING NOTE 