Tag: Ken Holland

Meet three more Wall of Honour inductees . . . Dinner tickets now available

The non-profit Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s inaugural Wall of Honour inductee dinner is almost upon us. It’s all set for the Centennial Arena in Okotoks, Alta., on Tuesday, July 30. . . . Tickets are available at hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. There also is information there about the evening’s entertainment. The theme is Tales from the Road and, based on that, there will be a couple of Hot Stove sessions featuring the likes of John Davidson, Ken Holland and Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser. . . . Of course, the spotlight will be on the 45 past and present-day scouts who will be inducted into the Wall of Honour. . . . Here’s a look at three more of them. . . . For a look at all of the bios, visit the Foundation website and click on Wall of Honour.

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GERRY O’FLAHERTY

(Aug. 31, 1950 —)

He was born in Pittsburgh, where his father, John (Peanuts) O’Flaherty, was playing for the AHL’s Pittsburgh Hornets. . . . Gerry grew up in Etobicoke, Ont., and was inducted into that community’s hall of fame in 2013. . . . Played 438 regular-season NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2), Vancouver Canucks (435) and Atlanta Flames (1). . . . Scored 25 goals for the Canucks in 1974-75, at the time a single-season NHL record for an American-born player. . . . Played for the U.S. in the 1976 Canada Cup. . . . Began scouting career in 1979 with the Montreal Canadiens. . . . Moved to the Tampa Bay Lightning as pro scout in 2003-04. . . . Has been part of five Stanley Cup championships — Montreal, 1986, 1993; Tampa Bay, 2004, 2020, 2021. . . . His father and two of his brothers, John Jr. and Bill, also were NHL scouts.

KEVIN PRENDERGAST

(March 27, 1951 —)

A native of Verdun, Que., he spent more than 30 years in the scouting business, including seven seasons (1983-90) as NHL Central Scouting’s assistant director of scouting. . . . He went from there to the Edmonton Oilers, where he filled various roles — head scout, vice-president of hockey operations, director of player personnel, assistant general manager — through May 2010. . . . Took over as Hockey Canada’s head scout in 2010 and stayed through 2012-13, working with the U18 and U20 programs. . . . Did pro and amateur scouting with the Buffalo Sabres from November 2013 until he retired in 2018. . . . Helped evaluate players for Canada’s men’s team at 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. . . . Attended St. Mary’s University in Halifax where he quarterbacked the Huskies football team to three straight conference titles (1974-75-76).

GLEN SANDERS

(June 7, 1956 —)

From Trail, B.C., he has scouted for the NHL’s Nashville Predators since 2004. Started on part-time basis, and moved to full-time in 2007. . . Began scouting career with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders in 1984. Joined the Kamloops Blazers in 1987 and spent 10 years with them, winning three Memorial Cups (1992, 1994, 1995). . . . Long-time minor hockey coach in Trail, starting in 1978 with pee wee rep team. Also coached a junior B team and in 1996 stepped in as GM of the junior A Smoke Eaters as they entered the BCHL. . . . Returned to scouting with the Tri-City Americans and then the Regina Pats. . . . Inducted in B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 as part of the 1994-95 Blazers. His name went on Trail’s Home of Champions Monument in 2019.

WCPHSF adds five more to Hot Stove roster for Wall of Honour dinner

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation has added five more Hot Stove participants to the roster for its inaugural Wall of Honour induction dinner — Tales From The Road — in Okotoks, Alta., on July 30.

The latest group is led by John Davidson, president of hockey operations, alternate governor and interim general manager of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, and also features Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, a seven-time World champion who is an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs and a practising physician.

Rounding out those taking part in the Hot Stove sessions are Mike Penny, who has scouted for more than 50 years; Brian Skrudland, a former NHL player who turned to scouting; and Al Tuer, who got into scouting in 2000.

Earlier, it was announced that Ken Holland, the Edmonton Oilers’ president of hockey operations and general manager; Craig Button, a former NHL executive who now is TSN’s director of scouting; long-time scout Archie Henderson, who retired in 2022; and former NHL player, coach and general manager Craig MacTavish would be involved in Hot Stove conversations.

The inaugural dinner also will include the induction of 45 past and present scouts into the Wall of Honour, which will feature three video screens and is to be unveiled in its permanent home in the the foyer of the Okotoks Centennial Arena.

Individual tickets and tables of eight will go on sale off the Foundation’s website (hockeyscoutsfoundation.com) on May 1.

JOHN DAVIDSON

A goaltender in his playing days, Davidson played eight-plus seasons in the NHL, split between the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. The Blues selected him fifth overall in the NHL’s 1973 draft, from the WCHL’s Calgary Centennials, and he became the first goaltender in NHL history to make the jump directly from major junior hockey to the NHL. After his playing career, he turned to broadcasting, a career that included a 30-year stint with the MSG Network as the analyst on Rangers’ telecasts. He was awarded the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his contributions in 2009.

Davidson is in his second stint in the Blue Jackets’ front office, and also has been president of the Blues and Rangers.

DR. HAYLEY WICKENHEISER

As a player, Dr. Wickenheiser, a native of Shaunavon, Sask., won seven World titles with Canada’s national women’s hockey team. She also played in five Olympic Winter Games, winning four golds and a silver, and twice was named the tournament’s most valuable player. In 2019, she was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and the IIHF Hall of Fame.

After retiring in 2017, Dr. Wickenheiser earned a degree in kinesiology from the U of Calgary and then went to medical school there. She has done a residency in the department of family and community medicine at the U of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. She continues her career in medicine, while working for the Maple Leafs.

A native of Montreal, Penny is one of the true legends in the scouting game. He got his start in 1969 by working for the NHL’s New York Rangers and their junior affiliate, the Kitchener Rangers, at the same time. He moved to the Vancouver Canucks in 1980 — he was responsible for their drafting Pavel Bure 113th overall in 1989 — before signing on with the Maple Leafs as their director of player personnel in 2000. He still is with the Maple Leafs, now as a pro scout.

Skrudland, a native of Peace River, Alta., who holds the NHL record for the fastest playoff overtime goal, retired as a player after the 1999-2000 season. He later spent six seasons with the Florida Panthers, five as director of player development and one as an assistant coach. He won two Stanley Cups as a player, with the 1985-86 Montreal Canadiens and the 1998-99 Dallas Stars.

Tuer, who was born in North Battleford, Sask., has been scouting since 2001, following a lengthy career as a player, coach and general manager. As a scout, he has worked with the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. He is in his third season as a pro scout with the Rangers. His late father, Graham, will be inducted into the Foundation’s Wall of Honour on July 30.

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The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is a non-profit organization comprising NHL scouts from Western Canada and a group of committed individuals from the hockey community. It feels a strong obligation to honour scouts, past and present, and a commitment to give back to charities, communities and individuals who could benefit from the support and financial assistance.

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Gregg Drinnan, WCPHSF editor and historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

Circumstances result in Foundation changing date of induction dinner

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation has had to change the date of its inaugural Wall of Honour induction dinner.

Originally scheduled for July 29, the gala affair has been moved to Tuesday, July 30. It will be held in the Centennial Arena in Okotoks, Alta.

The Foundation scheduled the dinner in conjunction with Hockey Canada’s Under-18 camp that is to be held in Calgary, July 27-30. The Foundation was of the understanding that the evening of July 29 would be clear of camp events, but it turns out there is a Red/White game scheduled for that window. That game will tie up a number of scouts who otherwise would be in attendance at the dinner.

ROSS MAHONEY

“Unfortunately, we have had to move our banquet to July 30,” said Ross Mahoney, the Foundation’s vice-president who is the Washington Capitals’ assistant general manager. “Out of respect for Hockey Canada and the U18 Gretzky/Hlinka summer camp, we will move it from July 29 to July 30. A number of scouts including some of our honourees will be in attendance at the camp.”

The Wall of Honour, which is to be permanently located in the arena’s foyer, will be unveiled prior to the dinner. The first class of inductees is to include 45 past and present scouts.

The evening also will include a couple of Hot Stove sessions featuring the likes of Ken Holland, the Edmonton Oilers’ president of hockey operations and general manager; John Davidson, president of hockey operations and interim general manager with the Columbus Blue Jackets; Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs; and Craig Button, TSN’s director of scouting.

Ticket information, including prices for singles and tables, and how to acquire them, will be announced on our website in the near future: hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

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The complete list of inductees (* — denotes deceased):

SPECIAL RECOGNITION: *-Garnet (Ace) Bailey.

PIONEERS (Prior to 1967): *-George Agar, *-Frank Currie, *-Murray (Torchy) Schell, *-Danny Summers, *-Cecil (Tiny) Thompson.

EARLY ERA (1968-80): *-Elmer Benning, *-Bart Bradley, *-Lorne Davis, *-Gerry Ehman, *-Barry Fraser, *-Pat (Paddy) Ginnell, Ted Hampson, *-Charlie Hodge, Earl Ingarfield Sr., *-Lou Jankowski, Marshall Johnston, Bill Lesuk, *-Ian McKenzie, *-Gerry Melnyk, Bob Owen, *-Clare Rothermel, *-Del Wilson.

MODERN ERA (1981-present): Scott Bradley, Craig Button, John Chapman, George Fargher, Tony Feltrin, Bruce Franklin, Bruce Haralson, Archie Henderson, Les Jackson, Vaughn Karpan, Ross Mahoney, Bert Marshall, Wayne Meier, Al Murray, Gerry O’Flaherty, Kevin Prendergast, Blair Reid, Glen Sanders, Peter Sullivan, Barry Trapp.

MAJOR JUNIOR: Lorne Frey, *-Graham Tuer.

As well, five scouts from Western Canada were honoured with the Recognition and Dedication Service Award at the Foundation’s startup banquet in Okotoks on Sept. 30. Those five are Ron Delorme, Glen Dirk, Garth Malarchuk, Don Paarup and Mike Penny.

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The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is a non-profit organization comprising NHL scouts from Western Canada and a group of committed individuals from the hockey community. It feels a strong obligation to honour scouts, past and present, and a commitment to give back to charities, communities and individuals who could benefit from the support and financial assistance.

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Gregg Drinnan, WCPHSF editor and historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

Tales From The Road adds four, including Oilers’ GM, to Hot Stove roster

March 2, 2024

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation has revealed the first four Hot Stove participants for Tales From The Road, the gala evening it has scheduled for Okotoks, Alta., on Monday, July 29.

The Foundation’s inaugural banquet will be highlighted by the induction of 45 past and present scouts into its Wall of Honour, which will be located in the Okotoks Centennial Arena.

Dennis Beyak, who ended his lengthy and superb play-by-play career at the 2024 World Junior Championship in Sweden, will be the evening’s host. He was a smash hit in filling that role at the Foundation’s startup banquet on Sept. 30.

With the evening dedicated to honouring scouts, the Foundation has chosen the theme Tales From The Road, and the entertainment is to include Hot Stove sessions.

Among those participating will be Ken Holland, the Edmonton Oilers’ president of hockey operations and general manager; Craig Button, a former NHL general manager who now is TSN’s director of scouting; long-time scout Archie Henderson, who retired in 2022; and former NHL player, coach and general manager Craig MacTavish.

KEN HOLLAND

Holland, from Vernon, B.C., was a member of the Detroit Red Wings’ scouting staff for nine seasons, the last seven as director of amateur scouting, before being named assistant GM. He took over as general manager prior to the 1997-98 season and filled that role through the 2018-19 season after which he joined the Oilers as president of hockey operations and GM. His resume includes four Stanley Cup titles with Detroit, an Olympic gold medal, and a World Cup gold medal. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2020.

A goaltender during his playing days, Holland spent two seasons with the WCHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.

CRAIG BUTTON

As TSN’s director of scouting, Button is a familiar figure on TV as he is a regular on hockey telecasts and highlight shows. Before landing at TSN, he scouted for the Minnesota North Stars and then the Dallas Stars, with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 1999. He joined the Calgary Flames in 2000 as vice-president and general manager, a stint that lasted for three seasons. He also has scouted for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

ARCHIE HENDERSON

Henderson, a Calgarian, is one of the scouting fraternity’s great storytellers. He got into 23 regular-season NHL games as a 6-foot-6 heavyweight. After trying the coaching game, he got into scouting and spent more than 20 seasons on the road — with the Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton. Henderson retired in 2022 after a three-season run as Edmonton’s director of pro scouting. As a junior player with the Lethbridge Broncos, he once had a scrap with Bob Poley of the Regina Pats. Poley went on to play 15 seasons as an offensive lineman in the CFL.

MacTavish, from London, Ont., spent 17 seasons playing in the NHL, making stops with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues. Along the way, he won four Stanley Cups. He also was the last player in NHL history to play without a helmet. He went on to coach with the Rangers, Oilers and Blues, and also made coaching stops in the KHL and Swiss NL. His resume also includes two seasons as the Oilers’ general manager and five as senior vice-president of hockey operations.

Also that evening the Foundation will reveal the first recipient of its Ace Award, which is to be presented in honour of the late Garnet (Ace) Bailey, who was aboard the plane that terrorists crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. Glen Sather, a Hockey Hall of Famer and long-time friend of Bailey’s, will make the presentation.

Further details about the banquet, including ticket availability and more Hot Stove participants, will be announced in the near future.

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The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is a non-profit organization comprising NHL scouts from Western Canada and a group of committed individuals from the hockey community. It feels a strong obligation to honour scouts, past and present, and a commitment to give back to charities, communities and individuals who could benefit from the support and financial assistance.

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Gregg Drinnan, WCPHSF editor and historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

Plans coming together for Foundation’s inaugural induction dinner

February 21, 2024

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation announced today that it will hold its inaugural Wall of Honour induction dinner on Monday, July 29, in Okotoks, Alta.

The dinner is to be held in the Foothills Centennial Centre, which is attached to the Okotoks Centennial Arena. The foyer of the arena will be the home of the Wall of Honour, a display that, with its three video screens, will be unveiled that afternoon.

The evening will be highlighted by the induction of 45 past and present scouts into the Wall of Honour. Inductees will include five pioneers (1940-63), 17 from scouting’s early era (1963-79), 20 from the modern era and two from junior hockey. Also being inducted will be Garnet (Ace) Bailey, who 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.

Also on tap will be the inaugural presentation of the Ace Award, which the Foundation has struck in Bailey’s honour. Glen Sather, a Hockey Hall of Famer who had a lengthy relationship with Bailey, will make the presentation to someone who is deemed to have gone above and beyond the expected in helping the scouting community.

The gala will get started in mid-afternoon with a meet-and-greet for inductees and family members in the arena foyer. Later, they will be piped into the banquet hall for the dinner.

Live and silent auctions involving hockey memorabilia, including autographed NHL player jerseys, will also be part of the evening, as will Hot Stove sessions involving the likes of Ken Holland, the Edmonton Oilers’ president and general manager, and Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, a practising physician who also is an assistant GM with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Ticket information, including the cost of individual tickets and tables of eight, will be announced in the near future on the Foundation’s website: hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

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The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is a non-profit organization comprising NHL scouts from Western Canada and a group of committed individuals from the hockey community. It feels a strong obligation to honour scouts, past and present, and a commitment to give back to charities, communities and individuals who could benefit from the support and financial assistance.

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Erin Ginnell, WCPHSF president

eginnell@vegasgoldenknights.com

Garth Malarchuk, WCPHSF chairman of the board

gmalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Gregg Drinnan, WCPHSF editor and historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

NHL executive: COVID defines everything we do . . . Doctors want Flames, Oilers to change direction . . . 2022 Memorial Cup has a home

Cats

If you haven’t seen it, Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada posted his first 32 Thoughts of a new NHL season this week. He had been on a bit of an NHL media tour, so had gotten to speak to a number of people, including Bill Daly, the NHL’s deputy commissioner.

And it was Daly who said something that really jumped off my computer screen. Here’s how Friedman wrote it:

“On the 32 Thoughts podcast, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said he was recently asked, “Putting COVID aside, what is your biggest challenge?”

“You can’t put COVID aside,” he responded. “COVID defines everything we do and everything we’re going to do, unfortunately.”

Words that all sporting leagues are having to live by. Unfortunately.

The first 32 Thoughts of the season is right here.

Some COVID-related NHL notes . . .

While about 78 per cent of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated, the NHL is saying that it expects at least 98 per cent of its players will be there come nhl2opening night, which is scheduled for Oct. 12. . . . If you do the math, that would leave about 15 players on the 32 rosters who won’t be fully vaccinated when the regular season begins. . . . Of course, you know that we are going to be hearing about those 15. . . .

On Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets revealed that F Zac Rinaldo, who isn’t vaccinated, won’t be in their training camp; instead, he will go to camp with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. . . .

At this point, F Tyler Bertuzzi of the Detroit Red Wings is the only player on their roster not to have been vaccinated. That could result in him not playing in any of their nine games in Canada, something that would cost him about US$450,000. . . . “It’s his decision,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman said, “and it’s the world we live in today. I’m not in a position to force anyone.” . . . You’re wondering if Yzerman is disappointed in Bertuzzi? “I personally am vaccinated,” he said. “My family is vaccinated. I will leave it at that.” . . .

G Tyler Parsons won’t be taking part in the Calgary Flames’ training camp. Brad Treliving, the Flames’ GM, said Parsons was “unable to satisfy quarantine rules” so he’s out. The Flames say that every player on the camp roster is fully vaccinated. . . .

General manager Tom Fitzgerald of the New Jersey Devils has said his club has one unvaccinated player whom “we are trying to help (get) through this.” . . .

The Edmonton Oilers aren’t expecting to have G Alex Stalock in uniform at any point this season. He ended up with COVID-19 last season and was found to have myocarditis, a swelling of the heart muscle that is associated with the virus. . . .

Edmonton general manager Ken Holland also said Wednesday that the Oilers have one player who isn’t vaccinated. Holland said that he and head coach Dave Tippett have met with the unidentified player and are trying to persuade him to get vaccinated. . . . Reports later Wednesday indicated that the player in question is F Josh Archibald.

Rocky

The Stettler Lightning of Alberta’s Heritage Junior B Hockey League announced Wednesday that they won’t play in 2021-22. “The new COVID restrictions put us in a very depleted player situation,” the team said via Twitter, “so the decision was made so players could join other teams for the remainder of this season.” The Lightning has been in the league since 1994.

Mike Benton, the Everett Silvertips’ director of broadcasting/public relations, is leaving the team. Benton was preparing for his seventh season as the Silvertips’ radio voice. . . . He is joining Seattle radio station 950 KJR where he will be the host of pregame, intermission and postgame shows on broadcasts involving the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.

Lifeboats

WR Antonio Brown of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, Tampa Bay placed LB Kevin Minter, a special teams captain, on the list. Both players are fully vaccinated, so would need two negative tests at least 24 hours apart prior to Sunday in order to play against the host Los Angeles Rams. . . . LB Keanu Neal of the Dallas Cowboys is on the COVID list and his status for Monday’s game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles is up in the air. . . . The Minnesota Vikings have placed CB Harrison Hand on the COVID list. They are at home to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

The 2022 Memorial Cup has been awarded to Saint John, N.B., so the QMJHL’s CHLSea Dogs will be the host team. The CHL made the announcement on Wednesday, with the tournament to run from June 3-12. One other team — the Quebec Remparts — had been in the running. . . . The Sea Dogs are in their 16th season in the QMJHL; this is the first time they will play host to the tournament. . . . Because of the pandemic, the four-team tournament hasn’t been held since 2019. It was to have been held in Kelowna in 2020 and in an OHL city — either Oshawa or Sault Ste. Marie — in 2021. Because of the uncertainty, the OHL never got around to selecting a host city for 2021.

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