It is less than two months until the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation holds its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner. It is scheduled for July 29 in Okotoks, Alta., with 29 past and present-day scouts to be inducted. . . . It also is going to be a chance to spend A Night With the Sutters, with members of the hockey-playing family from Viking, Alta., on hand. . . . Tickets for the dinner are available at hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . In the meantime, we are introducing folks to some of the inductees, like Al Macpherson. . . .
AL MACPHERSON
(May 2, 1941 — Oct. 25, 2024)
Born in Eston, Sask., John Allan (Al) Macpherson grew up on the family farm at Lacadena, Sask. . . . He spent 36 years with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. He began as a part-time scout in 1986, was hired on a full-time basis in 1998 when he was named director of player personnel. After retiring in 2013, he continued as a valued member of the organization in an advisory role. . . . With him as director of player personnel, the Wheat Kings reached two WHL finals and four conference finals. They also appeared in the 2010 Memorial Cup as host team. . . . Macpherson farmed at Lacadena until retiring in 2020. He also had his private pilot’s license. . . . After retiring from farming, he moved to Lacombe, Alta. He passed from cancer in Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Oct. 25, 2024.
TAKING NOTE 