KELOWNA (May 27, 2026) — The non-profit Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is bringing its annual celebration of Indigenous hockey to Kelowna.
The second annual Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends dinner will be held at the Okanagan city’s Delta Grand Okanagan Resort on Sept. 29. That is the evening prior to Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada.
The inaugural dinner was held at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina on Sept. 30. It was a huge success and, in fact, a documentary film has been produced of the event; it is to be shown on TSN+ at a date to be announced, while an edited version will go into regular rotation with other videos at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. It also will be available for viewing on the Foundation’s YouTube channel.
In Kelowna, with retired TSN play-by-play voice Dennis Beyak overseeing proceedings as the emcee, the evening’s entertainment will include a Hot Stove session featuring some of the Indigenous legends who will be in the house. Former NHLers Bryan Trottier, Ron Delorme and Jordin Tootoo are confirmed, as is Brigette Lacquette, who is the first First Nations woman to play for Canada’s national team and its Olympic team. Also confirmed is Wacey Rabbit, an assistant coach with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, who was recently inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame.
“We are excited to once again honour Indigenous hockey legends, this time in Kelowna on Sept. 29,” said Foundation president Erin Ginnell. “With Indigenous hockey legends such as Bryan Trottier, Jordin Tootoo, Brigette Lacquette and Ron Delorme already committed to the event it’ll give people in attendance the opportunity to listen to their stories and understand how they persevered to become great hockey players.
“It will be an entertaining and emotional evening with Indigenous leaders and hockey legends.”
Also included in the evening’s entertainment will be auctions featuring, among other things, autographed NHL sweaters from Indigenous players.
Banquet tickets — $200 each or $1,400 per table of eight — are available at the Foundation’s website (hockeyscoutsfoundation.com).
“This event is a great opportunity for members of our foundation — including many residents of the Kelowna area — to give back to the community in celebrating the legacy of Indigenous hockey legends,” Garth Malarchuk, a Kelowna resident and the Foundation’s chairman of the board, said.
The Foundation was established in 2023 with part of its vision statement reading: “Our non-profit foundation is appreciative and indebted to the game of hockey and all that it has provided to our life’s experiences. Because of that we feel a strong obligation and commitment to give back to charities, communities and individuals who could benefit from our support and financial assistance.”
As was the case in Regina, some of the proceeds from the Kelowna banquet will be donated to area charities that have a particular focus on Indigenous youth and sports.
The Foundation also holds an annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks, Alta., where it is housed in the Viking Rentals Centre, the home of the BCHL’s Oilers. The 2026 dinner, featuring 22 inductees, will have a ‘Behind the Mask’ theme and will salute the goaltending profession. It is scheduled for Aug. 28.
For further info, contact . . .
Garth Malarchuk, WCPHSF chairman of the board
gmalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com
Tim Lenardon, WCPHSF co-ordinator
Gregg Drinnan, WCPHSF editor/historian
greggdrinnan@gmail.com
TAKING NOTE 