Tag: Wall of Honour

Wood member of Wall of Honour class of ’25

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 tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . In the meantime, we are introducing folks to some of the inductees, like George Wood. . . . 

GEORGE WOOD

(April 2, 1937 — July 31, 2003)

Born in Winnipeg, he was hired as western scout by the Vancouver Canucks prior to 1974-75 and was there for 11 seasons. . . . Later split three seasons between the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals. . . . A goaltender in his playing days, he saw action in the EHL, EPHL, AHL, WHL and IHL. . . . Won Memorial Cup with the Flin Flon Bombers (1956-57). Is immortalized as part of mural on north wall of Flin Flon’s Whitney Forum. . . . Won AHL championship with the 1960-61 Springfield Indians. . . . While scouting for the Canucks, he sometimes went on the ice during practices and worked with the goaltenders. Glen Hanlon, for one, credited Wood with helping him improve his game. . . . Also was an excellent baseball player (first base) and was scouted by the New York Yankees. But size — he was 5-8 — was an issue.

MacGregor will be on Wall of Honour

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation will hold its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks, Alta., on July 29. We will salute 29 past and present-day scouts as they take their spots on our Wall of Honour. We also will spend A Night With the Sutters, with members of the hockey-playing family from Viking, Alta., joining us. . . . Tickets for the dinner are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . Before we get there, we want to introduce everyone to some of those who will be honoured, so let’s meet Stu MacGregor. . . . 

STU MacGREGOR

(March 15, 1957 — )

A native of Edmonton, MacGregor has been scouting for more than 40 years. . . . A minor hockey coach (1978-86), he started scouting as a part-timer with the Kamloops Jr. Oilers (1982-84) and then the Blazers (1984-90). . . . Hired full-time by Blazers as assistant GM and director of player personnel In March 1990. . . . Scouted with Dallas Stars for two seasons (1998-2000). . . . Was with Edmonton for seven seasons (2000-07) before the Oilers named him director of amateur scouting (2007-15). . . . Returned to Kamloops as GM (2015-18). . . . Back with Dallas as part-timer for 2018-19.  . . . Was back in WHL as part-time scout with Victoria Royals (2019-23). . . . Joined Moose Jaw Warriors’ scouting staff in October 2023. . . . Was part of four WHL championship teams and three Memorial Cup champs while with Kamloops.

WCPHS Foundation will salute Pedersen

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is to hold its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks on July 29. . . . If you aren’t aware, the Wall of Honour makes its home in the Viking Rentals Centre in Okotoks. . . . And the dinner will be held right there, too. . . . It’ll be a night of fun, fun, fun, what with various auctions and a Hot Stove session or two involving members of the hockey-playing Sutter family. . . . Tickets for the dinner are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . With all that in mind, we are introducing members of the Wall of Honour’s Class of ’25, so we would like you to meet the late Jim Pedersen.

JIM PEDERSEN

(June 11, 1937 — July 21, 2018)

From Milestone, Sask., where he was raised on a farm and played goal in minor hockey. . . . Spent 26 years as a scout with the Dallas Stars. Was part of their 1999 Stanley Cup championship team. . . . Prior to the NHL, he scouted for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats and Brandon Wheat Kings. . . . From the Regina Leader-Post: “As well, Pedersen assisted people who were dealing with substance-abuse issues and offered counselling to young people. A lifelong 4-H member, he raised purebred Angus cattle.” . . . Ross Mahoney, the Washington Capitals’ assistant GM, knew Pedersen for more than 30 years. “I know he was an extremely hard worker,” Mahoney said, “because every time I went to a game, there was Jim Pedersen. I thought that maybe there were four or five Jim Pedersens, but there was only one.”

Meet another member of the Wall of Honour’s Class of 2025

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner is scheduled for Okotoks on July 29. . . . Okotoks, the home of the BCHL’s Oilers, also is the home of the Wall of Honour. Yes, it’s right here in the Viking Rentals Centre. . . . That also will be the site of induction dinner, tickets for which are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . As dining time approaches, we are introducing folks to members of the Wall of Honour’s Class of ’25. This time we would like you to meet Brian Gross.

BRIAN GROSS

(Oct. 11, 1942 — )

From Lethbridge, he was raised on a farm, learning to skate on a frozen dugout. . . . Began scouting by working southern Alberta for the Regina Pats (1980-83). Regina hired him full-time (1983-85), and he answered to Glen Dirk and Bob Strumm. . . . When they moved to the Spokane Chiefs, Gross went along (1986-90) as an Alberta and tournament scout. . . . Then it was on to the Tacoma/Kelowna Rockets (1991-95), before a return to Regina (1995-97), this time as director of scouting. . . . San Jose hired him in 1997 and he spent 25 seasons with the Sharks, covering Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, before retiring. . . . Worked 32 years with Alberta Government Telephones until 1993. . . . A highlight was getting undrafted Kelowna D Josh Gorges into San Jose’s camp and watching him go on to 13-season NHL career.

Larry Hornung to join son Brad on Wall of Honour

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner is scheduled to be held in Okotoks, Alta., on July 29. . . . Tickets are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . All told, we will induct 29 scouts — three Pioneers of Scouting, seven from the Early Era (1968-80), 17 from the Modern Era (1981-Present) and two from the world of major junior hockey. . . . In the lead up to the dinner, we are introducing the Class of ’25. So let’s get to know the late Larry Hornung, who will be honoured alongside his late son, Brad.

LARRY HORNUNG

(Nov. 10, 1945 — May 8, 2001)

Born in Gravelbourg, Sask., he grew up in Glenbain, Sask. . . . Went on to play junior hockey with the Weyburn Red Wings and Flin Flon Bombers, before embarking on a professional career that would take him to the NHL and WHA. . . . Played 48 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues over two seasons (1970-72) and split 371 WHA games over six seasons (1972-78) between the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and San Diego Mariners. . . . Began his scouting career with the Jets in 1995. Relocated with them to Phoenix and scouted for the Coyotes through 1997-98. . . . Spent three seasons (1998-2001) with the Toronto Maple Leafs. . . . Worked for 13 years at Pine Lodge, a drug and alcohol counselling and rehabilitation centre in Indian Head, Sask. Was facility director before joining Leafs.

Brad Hornung headed for Wall of Honour

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is to hold its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks, Alta., on July 29. On that evening, we will honour 29 scouts — three Pioneers of Scouting, seven from the Early Era (1968-80), 17 from the Modern Era (1981-Present) and two from the world of major junior hockey. . . . Tickets are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . Now we would like to introduce you to one of our 2025 inductees, the late Brad Hornung, who got into scouting after a devastating injury ended his playing career. 

BRAD HORNUNG

(Feb. 13, 1969 — Feb. 8, 2022)

Born in Fort Erie, Ont., he was left a quadriplegic at 18 after being checked from behind while playing for the Regina Pats on March 1, 1987. Suffered a burst fracture of the third cervical vertebrae and crushed spinal cord. . . . Cancer claimed him five days from his 53rd birthday. . . . Was hired as an intern by GM Mike Smith of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2001 and spent three seasons scouting for them. He later worked with NHL Central Scouting. . . . Completed Grade 12 after being injured, then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the U of Regina’s Campion College in 1996. The school presented him with an honourary Doctor of Laws degree in 2018. . . . The Pats have retired his number (8). . . . Inducted posthumously into Regina Sports Hall of Fame (builder) in 2022 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (hockey, builder) in 2025.

Holland among Wall of Honour’s Class of 2025

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is to hold its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks, Alta., on July 29. On that evening, we will honour 29 scouts, from past and present — three Pioneers of Scouting, seven from the Early Era (1968-80), 17 from the Modern Era (1981-Present) and two from the world of junior hockey. . . . Tickets for the dinner — the evening is being billed as A Night With the Sutters and will include a hot stove session or two with members of hockey’s first family — are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . In the leadup to the dinner, we are introducing folks to each of the honourees. So let’s meet Dennis Holland. . . .

DENNIS HOLLAND

(Jan. 30, 1969 —)

Born in Vernon, B.C., he is one of those rare scouts who has spent his entire career with one team. . . . Started with the Dallas Stars in 2003 and completed his 22nd season with them in 2024-25. . . . Was third-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in NHL’s 1987 draft. Older brother Ken was scout with Red Wings at the time. . . . Scored three goals and added two assists in 1985-86 debut as 16-year-old with WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. Went on to enjoy 36-, 58- and 82-goal seasons. Is franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer (179). Led WHL in goals (82) and points (167) in 1988-89. . . . Was head coach of ECHL’s Toledo Storm for two seasons (2000-02). . . . A member of the Winterhawks’ inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2010.

Beep! Beep!! Wall of Honour clears space for Jeep

There are less than two months before the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner. . . . It’s all scheduled for July 29 in Okotoks, Alta., with tickets available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . On that evening, we will be honouring 29 past and present-day scouts, all in the presence of members of the Sutter family. In fact, the whole thing is being billed as A Night With the Sutters. . . . In the lead-up to July 29, we are introducing the Class of 2025, one at a time. So say hello to Jeep George, whose nickname came out of the Second World War. . . . 

ALBERT E. (JEEP) GEORGE

(May 1, 1925 — June 1, 1985)

Born in North Battleford, Sask., he worked with the New York Rangers, NHL Central Scouting and Hartford Whalers. . . . Rangers hired him in September 1969 as Western Canadian director of scouting, filling spot created when Denis Ball was promoted to assistant GM. . . . Moved to Central Scouting in 1975, then was with Hartford from 1981-84. . . . With his brother William (Moe), George founded Battlefords’ first junior hockey program, the Beaver Bruins, in 1954. . . . Was a prolific scorer in intermediate and senior ranks with the North Battleford Beavers in the late-1940s and into the ’50s. . . . Inducted into the SJHL Hall of Fame in 2024, along with his son, David, and David’s son, Michael. . . . Was working in Thunder Bay during Second World War, picking up cockpit parts and installing them. When doing the pickups, he always drove a Jeep, thus the nickname.

WCPHS Foundation joins forces with two partners

The non-profit Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation has entered into two partnerships, both of which will be key to the organization’s future.

HNLIVE now Foundation’s broadcast partner

HNLIVE has signed on as the Foundations official broadcast partner.

The WCPHSF has two banquets scheduled for this summer — its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner and a banquet Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends — and HNLIVE will be live-streaming both events.

HNLIVE, a broadcast, streaming and production company, is Canada’s fastest growing sports streaming platform with partnerships with Hockey Canada and numerous major showcases across Canada. It has a history in HD live-streaming, from top prospect games to regular-season games, championship events, all-star games and beyond. It bills itself as “a one-stop-shop resource.”

“We’re thrilled to become the official broadcast partner of the WCPHSF,” HNLIVE owner Corrie Brough said. “All their events/banquets will now be available on HNLIVE if you are unable to attend. The WCPHSF does tremendous work by giving back to communities across Western Canada and we’re very happy to be involved.”

The Foundation isn’t yet two years old, and the Wall of Honour is its pride and joy. But there’s a lot more to it than that, as it is committed to giving back to Western Canadian communities and charities, and to those in the scouting community who need support. It already has helped out in those areas with organizations as varied as Bear Clan Bow River, the BC and Yukon branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It also has provided financial aid to scouts with medical issues.

The Wall of Honour induction dinner is scheduled for the Viking Rentals Centre in Okotoks on July 29. On that evening, 29 past and present-day scouts will be honoured. The evening — A Night With the Sutters — also will feature two hot stove sessions involving members of the hockey-playing family from Viking.

“This is exciting news for our foundation in that it allows the general public to observe and partake in our second Wall of Honour induction dinner,” said Garth Malarchuk, the WCPHS Foundation’s chairman of the board.“Viewers not only will be treated to some great stories from hockey’s first family, but also will have the option of bidding on some outstanding silent- and live-auction items and packages.”

The dinner Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends is to be held in Regina’s Conexus Art Centre in Wascana Park on Sept. 30. Some of the proceeds from the Regina dinner will go to local charities that deal with Indigenous children — the Ranch Ehrlo Society’s Outdoor Hockey League, Sask Sport, for KidSport Saskatchewan, and the Circle Project.

“This is exciting for us,” said Mark Stiles, the Foundation’s director of donor and stakeholder relations, “as HNLIVE will be streaming both banquets amongst many other things, like creating short videos for our website.”

Tickets for both dinners are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

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WCPHSF joins up with Harvard Media in Regina

The Foundation also has entered into a promotional agreement with Harvard Media involving the Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends banquet that is to be held in Regina.

Earlier, the non-profit foundation partnered with the Regina Hotel Association on the banquet that is scheduled for the Conexus Arts Centre on Sept. 30, which is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Under terms of the agreement, which runs from June 9 through Sept. 30, Harvard Media will be recognized as an event sponsor and will provide on-air and on-line support from its Regina-based radio stations 620 CKRM, play92, and 104.9 The WOLF. The package also includes on-air support from The SportsCage, CKRM’s popular sports talk show.

“The SportsCage has made a commitment to local sports more than ever over the past year,” SportsCage host Barney Shynkaruk said, “and this event will bring Saskatchewan hockey together once again and, more importantly, shine a spotlight on the proud Indigenous hockey culture.

“The WCPHSF group has been doing some great work for community groups across Western Canada and we’re excited to have an opportunity to showcase that.”

The dinner is to be emceed by Dennis Beyak, an associate director with the Foundation. The retired TSN hockey play-by-play voice handles the emcee duties at all Foundation events. Beyak will guide everyone through an evening that will feature two hot stove sessions including some of the Indigenous legends like Kalley Armstrong, Ron Delorme, the King brothers, D.J. and Dwight, Jon (Nasty) Mirasty, Rich Pilon, Jordin Tootoo and Hall-of-Famer Bryan Trottier.

Some of the proceeds will go to Regina-area organizations that deal with Indigenous youths — the Ranch Ehrlo Society’s Outdoor Hockey League; Sask Sport, for KidSport Saskatchewan; and the Circle Project.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Harvard Media on board with us,” said Foundation vice-president Ross Mahoney, a Regina resident who is the NHL-Washington Capitals’ assistant general manager. “The folks there have a wide following in Regina and in Saskatchewan so this agreement is a real positive for us.”

Tickets for the dinner are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

Walker will be entering Wall of Honour

On July 29, the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation will induct 29 past and present-day scouts into its Wall of Honour that is located in the Viking Rentals Centre in Okotoks, Alta. That will all be part of the second annual induction dinner that also will be A Night With the Sutters. Yes, members of the Sutter family will be on hand and they will take part in a hot stove session or two. . . . Tickets for the dinner are available at tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . Meanwhile, we are introducing the inductees right here, so let’s meet Jimmy Walker.

JIMMY WALKER

(Aug. 10, 1930 — Aug. 17, 2015)

A native of Winnipeg, he started his scouting career with the junior Winnipeg Jets of what was then the Western Canada Hockey League. Was named the club’s chief scout in July 1970. . . . Was director of player personnel when he signed with the Chicago Black Hawks as assistant chief scout in April 1972. Would spend more than 20 years with Chicago. . . . In his earlier years was prominent minor hockey coach in Winnipeg, especially at Isaac Brock Community Centre in the late-1950s and early-’60s. He and good friend Tom Paterson coached same core group to city or provincial titles for six straight seasons. . . . Coached the MJHL’s St. James Canadians to league title in 1967-68 when he was named coach of the year. . . . Was also a fine golfer and frequently competed in Manitoba senior events.