Tag: news

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

Five Pioneers headed for Foundation’s Wall of Honour . . .

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation will induct a class of 45 into its Wall of Honour at its inaugural banquet in Okotoks, Alta., on July 29. . . . Here’s an opportunity for you to meet the five Pioneers who will be honoured . . .

GEORGE (BUS) AGAR

(May 3, 1919 — April 26, 1999)

A native of Saskatoon, he was a long-time scout with the Oakland/California Golden Seals. . . . Turned to scouting after a professional playing career that began with EHL’s Atlantic City Gulls in 1939-40. . . . Won the USHL’s 1947-48 scoring title by 21 points with Houston Huskies under coach Toe Blake. . . . After retiring as a player, he coached in the old WHL (Victoria Cougars, Los Angeles Blades) before spending six seasons (1964-70) with Saskatoon Blades. . . . When he retired in 1953 was one of three players with 300 career goals in pro hockey. The others? Maurice (Rocket) Richard and George (Wingy) Johnston, then of the WHL’s Tacoma Rockets. . . . Was selected as B.C.’s athlete of the year for 1956 when he was player-coach of Allan Cup-champion Vernon Canadians.

FRANK CURRIE

(Feb. 11, 1913 — Feb. 26, 1998)

From Calgary, he was a latecomer to the scouting game, joining Toronto Maple Leafs as western scout in 1961 at the age of 48. Was with the Leafs for 27 years. . . .When he retired at 75, Leafs owner Harold Ballard offered: “You’re going to be a Leaf ’til you die.” . . . Coached Edmonton Flyers to 1948 Allan Cup championship. In 1954, he and Calgary Stampeders won the first Edinburgh Trophy, which was contested for four years (1954-57) between champions of the pro Western and Quebec Hockey Leagues. . . . Final coaching season (1960-61) spent with EPHL’s Kitchener-Waterloo Beavers. . . . Was inducted into Alberta Sports Hall of Fame as a hockey builder in 1991 and in 2005 as a member of the 1947-48 Flyers.

MURRAY (TORCHY) SCHELL

(April 28, 1926 — Dec. 8, 1981)

A native of Kinmount, Ont., he was born Murray Godfrey Schell. Was known as Torchy because of his flaming red hair, most of which was gone by his 40th birthday. . . . Joined the RCMP in Toronto in 1947; retired as staff sergeant in 1969. . . . Spent most of his RCMP career in various Saskatchewan communities. . . . Hired by Toronto Maple Leafs as western scout in 1969. . . . Moved to NHL Central Scouting in 1975. Was working for CS when he died in Kinmount while visiting his mother prior to attending a hockey game in Niagara Falls. . . . Was a huge collector of hockey memorabilia. . . . Hand injury ended playing career in junior. . . . An uncle to former WHL star Guyle Fielder. . . . During scouting years, he worked summers as assistant equipment manager with Saskatchewan Roughriders.

DANNY SUMMERS

(March 25, 1924 — July 15, 1999)

A Winnipeg native, he returned from serving in the Second World War to play end and fullback — he wore No. 35 — for football’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1945. . . . A defenceman as a hockey player, he had an 18-season professional career. . . . Won an AHL title with Providence Reds (1949), a WHL title with Winnipeg Warriors (1956), two IHL championships with St. Paul Saints (1960, 1961) and an Allan Cup with Winnipeg Maroons (1964). . . . As a scout, he split 20 years between Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks. . . . Inducted into Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame as a player in 1993 and Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.

CECIL (TINY) THOMPSON

(May 31, 1903 — Feb. 9, 1981)

Born in Sandon, B.C., he had a stellar playing career as a goaltender over 10 seasons with Boston Bruins and two with Detroit Red Wings. . . . With Boston, he won four Vezina Trophies, and a Stanley Cup in his rookie season (1928-29). . . . First NHL goaltender to be credited with an assist (1936). . . . Holds Bruins’ record for career shutouts (74). . . . After retiring as player, coached two seasons (1940-42) with AHL’s Buffalo Bisons before serving in Royal Canadian Air Force. . . . Joined Chicago Black Hawks as chief western scout in 1945 and was there through 1976-77. . . . Nicknamed Tiny in minor hockey where, as a teenager, he was tallest player (5-foot-10) on his team. . . . Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame in 1959.