The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is to hold its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks, Alta., on July 29. On that evening, we will honour 29 scouts, from past and present — three Pioneers of Scouting, seven from the Early Era (1968-80), 17 from the Modern Era (1981-Present) and two from the world of junior hockey.
In the leadup to the dinner, we will be introducing each of the honourees.
Let’s get started by meeting the late Denis Ball, who had a lengthy career as an NHL scout.
BTW, we haven’t been able to locate any of Denis’s family members to let them know of his impending induction and to invite them to the induction dinner. If you are related to Denis or know someone who is, please contact Garth Malarchuk, the Foundation’s chairman of the board, at gmalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com.
DENIS BALL
(June 24, 1926 — April 22, 2003)
A native of Winnipeg, he split 34 years between the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. . . . Started part-time with the Rangers in 1949 and was hired on a full-time basis in 1953. The Rangers promoted him from scout to assistant general manager and farm director in 1969. . . . Signed with the Blues as general manager and vice-president of hockey operations in 1975. Then was assistant GM and VP of hockey ops from 1976-83. Retired later in 1983 as assistant to the president. . . . Founded and owned the junior Winnipeg Rangers for 11 years before selling to Ben Hatskin in 1966. The Rangers won the MJHL title in 1961 and 1966. . . . Inducted in Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame (builder) in 1990. . . . As his obituary noted: “Denis knew everyone in hockey and his friends were legion.”
TAKING NOTE 