The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation has its inaugural Wall of Honour induction dinner scheduled for Okotoks on July 30. As part of the evening’s activities, 45 past and present-day scouts will be honoured. . . . Here’s a quick look at three more of the inductees. . . . For more bios, visit hockeyscoutsfoundation.com and click on Wall of Honour. . . . BTW, tickets to the dinner for the general public are to become available on May 1 off the website.
ELMER BENNING
(Dec. 17, 1940 — Dec. 27, 2018)
Born in Humboldt, he spent 47 years with the Montreal Canadiens as an amateur scout, starting in 1970. . . . Moved to Edmonton after his wife, Liz, got a nursing job there. Was a firefighter in Edmonton when the Canadiens hired him. . . . It’s true that his 1985 Toyota Camry had more than one million kilometres on it, mostly from scouting trips across the Prairies. . . . Health concerns forced him into retirement after 2016-17 season. . . . Two of his sons, Brian and Jim, played in the NHL, with Jim going on to scout and work as an NHL executive. . . . A grandson, Matt, who is Brian’s son, also played in the NHL.
GEORGE FARGHER
(Feb. 12, 1952 —)
From Nelson, B.C., he began a lengthy relationship with the Ottawa Senators when he joined their scouting staff in 1996. . . . Started scouting career with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans in 1994, then spent the next season with the New York Islanders. . . . Was in his fourth season as an assistant coach with the junior A Vernon Lakers in November 1989 when head coach Ernie Gare was fired. Fargher resigned because he didn’t agree with the decision. . . . In summer of 1995, Gare, a scout with the Toronto Maple Leafs, recommended Fargher to the Islanders, who were looking for a western scout. . . . Was Gare’s assistant as the Lakers won BCHL titles in 1988 and 1989. They went on to the Centennial Cup in 1989. . . . Won 1971-72 BCHL championship with Gare as a teammate on the Vernon Essos.
GRAHAM TUER
(May 23, 1930 — Aug. 29, 2017)
Born in North Battleford, Sask., he spent more than 35 years with the Saskatchewan government, primarily in the Department of Highways, before retiring in 1987 and getting into scouting. . . . Went on to work with the Regina Pats, Moose Jaw Warriors, Kelowna Rockets and NHL Central Scouting. . . . His son, Al, is a former WHL/NHL player and coach, and a long-time NHL scout. . . . Graham was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame, as builder, on July 22, 2017, a month before his death. . . . The Graham Tuer U15 Challenge hockey tournament is held annually in Regina.
TAKING NOTE 