Ace Award – TAKING NOTE

Two veteran scouts — Mike Penny and the late Barry Fraser — will be saluted at the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks on July 29.

The Foundation announced today that the two will be presented with its most-prestigious honour, the Ace Award. In honour of the late Garnet (Ace) Bailey, the award is given annually to a member of the scouting fraternity or someone involved with the scouting community for contributions above and beyond what might have been expected.

Bailey, an incredibly popular member of the scouting family, was the Los Angeles Kings’ director of pro scouting when he died aboard the plane that crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was 53.

After ending his playing career, Bailey split a 20-year scouting career between the Edmonton Oilers and the Kings. He was on the Oilers’ scouting staff for 12 seasons under Fraser.

Fraser, a native of Kirkland Lake, Ont., passed away on Dec. 4, 2022. He was 82. Fraser spent two seasons scouting for the WHA’s Houston Aeros before joining the Oilers as director of scouting in 1978. He retired in 2000.

“Barry Fraser was a legend and an icon in the world of the NHL scouting community,” Archie Henderson, a member of the selection committee, said. “He set the gold standard for ALL scouts at ALL levels of the game of hockey with his unrivalled scouting contributions to the Edmonton Oilers leading to five Stanley Cups.

“His resume of identifying talent is among the best in the history of the game.”

Penny, who was born in Montreal, has been scouting at one level or another since 1969. He went to work for the Vancouver Canucks in 1980 and spent time with them as a scout, director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager. He moved on to the Toronto Maple Leafs as director of player personnel in 2002 and now is a member of their pro scouting department.

“Mike Penny has worn many hats in the game of hockey over his long career,” said Henderson, a long-time scout who retired in 2022. “He has been a mentor to many of the present-day NHL scouts. His experience and gentle hand in so many roles at different levels of hockey has provided a template for the modern-day scouts to follow.

“He is a true gentleman and a professional at his craft, and is someone other scouts have always looked to for advice and guidance.”

Fraser and Penny both were included in the 2024 Wall of Honour induction class. Penny, 77, is to be inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame in Penticton on July 12.

The first recipients of the Ace Award were Dennis Beyak and Gregg Drinnan. Beyak, best known as a long-time play-by-play voice with TSN, is an associate director with the Foundation and also emcee of its dinners. Drinnan is the Foundation’s editor and historian.

Tickets for the second annual induction dinner are available on the Foundation’s website — hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

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For more information, contact:

Garth Malarchuk, Chairman of the Board

gmalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Tim Lenardon, Foundation Co-ordinator

timlenardon78@gmail.com

Gregg Drinnan, Editor/Historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

The non-profit Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation will hold its inaugural Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks on July 30. During the evening, The Ace Award, in honour of the late Garnet (Ace) Bailey will be handed out for the first time, while 45 past and present-day scouts will be honoured. . . . Here’s a quick look at Bailey and two of the scouts who will be saluted. . . . For more bios, visit hockeyscoutsfoundation.com and click on Wall of Honour.

GARNET (ACE) BAILEY

(June 13, 1948 — Sept. 11, 2001)

Born in Lloydminster, Alta., he had a 20-year career as a pro scout. . . . Was Los Angeles Kings’ director of pro scouting, and was en route to training camp when he died aboard the plane that crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. . . . The Kings’ mascot, Bailey, is named in his memory. . . . Began scouting with Edmonton Oilers in 1981. Moved to Kings in 1994. . . . Played 568 regular-season NHL games over 10 seasons split between Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals. Also played one season with WHA’s Oilers. . . . Won two Stanley Cups as a player (Bruins, 1970, ’72) and five while scouting with the Oilers (1984-85-87-88-90). . . . Was a key player with the 1966 Memorial Cup-champion Edmonton Oil Kings. . . .

Bailey’s untimely passing left a profound void throughout the scouting fraternity, but his legacy as a dedicated and committed scout lives on through the Ace Award that serves as a testament to his remarkable contributions towards the game of hockey. . . . The Ace Award is a prestigious accolade bestowed upon individuals affiliated with the NHL scouting profession to recognize their outstanding contributions and efforts throughout their years of service.

EARL INGARFIELD SR.

(Oct. 25, 1934 —)

Born in Lethbridge, he was prolific scorer with junior Lethbridge Native Sons (1952-55) before pro career that included nine seasons with New York Rangers (1958-67). . . . Also played with expansion Pittsburgh Penguins and Oakland/California Golden Seals. . . . Went from coaching WHL’s Regina Pats (1971-72) to New York Islanders as a scout (1972-73) and ended up head coach 48 games into inaugural season. Was back scouting in 1973-74. . . . Returned to WHL for two seasons (1974-76) as assistant GM/head coach of Lethbridge Broncos. . . . Returned to Islanders as consultant in 1980. Was back scouting in 1982 and continued into the mid-2000s. Was there for four straight Stanley Cups (1980-81-82-83). . . . Inducted into Lethbridge and Southern Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (1985), Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (2007) and Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame (2023).

LES JACKSON

(Dec. 21, 1952 —)

A native of Manning, Alta., he joined Minnesota North Stars as an assistant coach in 1985 and spent 33 of the next 35 seasons with the organization. . . . Moved into the front office after two seasons on the coaching staff and spent time as scout, director of amateur scouting, director of player personnel, director of hockey operations, assistant general manager, co-general manager, director of player development and senior advisor to the GM. . . . Made move to Dallas with the franchise in 1993. . . . The two seasons he wasn’t with the Stars (1998-2000), he worked as the Atlanta Thrashers’ assistant GM. . . . Joined Florida Panthers as pro scout when Dallas didn’t renew his contract due to COVID-related cuts in 2020. Three seasons later, he was named senior advisor.