Tag: Wall of Honour

Churla among those to be honoured at Wall of Honour gala

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 Shane Churla. . . . 

SHANE CHURLA

(June 24, 1965 —)

From Fernie, B.C., he got into scouting in 2000 with the Phoenix Coyotes. Spent five seasons there then worked eight seasons (2005-13) with the Dallas Stars. . . . Joined the Montreal Canadiens as head amateur scout in 2013. Was director of amateur scouting when he signed in 2020 with the Florida Panthers as their director of amateur scouting. . . . Won 2024 Stanley Cup with Panthers. . . . A sixth-round selection by the Hartford Whalers (1985), he split 488 games over 11 seasons — 26 goals, 71 points, 2,301 penalty minutes — between them, Calgary Flames, Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers. . . . Emile Francis, then Hartford’s general manager, said Churla had the “guts of a slaughterhouse.” . . . A knee injury resulted in his retirement after he spent 1996-97 with Rangers. . . . Cousin to former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien.

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Wheat Kings’ Macpherson will be on Wall of Honour

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 hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . In the meantime, we are introducing folks to some of the inductees, like Al Macpherson. . . . 

AL MACPHERSON

(May 2, 1941 — Oct. 25, 2024)

Born in Eston, Sask., John Allan (Al) Macpherson grew up on the family farm at Lacadena, Sask. . . . He spent 36 years with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. He began as a part-time scout in 1986, was hired on a full-time basis in 1998 when he was named director of player personnel. After retiring in 2013, he continued as a valued member of the organization in an advisory role. . . . With him as director of player personnel, the Wheat Kings reached two WHL finals and four conference finals. They also appeared in the 2010 Memorial Cup as host team. . . . Macpherson farmed at Lacadena until retiring in 2020. He also had his private pilot’s license. . . . After retiring from farming, he moved to Lacombe, Alta. He passed from cancer in Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Oct. 25, 2024.

Sears among 2025 Wall of Honour inductees

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner is scheduled for July 29 in Okotoks, Alta. . . . It’s being billed as A Night With the Sutters — there will be hot stove sessions involving the hockey-playing brothers — and will feature the induction of 29 past and present-day scouts into the Wall of Honour. Tickets for the dinner are available at hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . As the big night draws closer, we are introducing the 2025 inductees, like Carter Sears. . . .

CARTER SEARS

(Aug. 17, 1953 — )

Born in Estevan, Sask., he has had a scouting career of more than 30 years split between major junior and the NHL. . . . Spent 14 seasons (1990-2004) as director of player personnel with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, winning a Memorial Cup in 2001. . . . Served as a scouting consultant with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice (2005-17), winning a WHL championship in 2011. At the same time, he worked as a part-time pro scout with the New York Rangers, starting in 2004. . . . Was a pro scout with the Winnipeg Jets for six seasons (2010-16). . . . Joined the Medicine Hat Tigers as director of player personnel for 2017-18. . . . Added to the St. Louis Blues’ scouting staff in November 2019.

Tuer to join father as Wall of Honour inductee

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 hockeyscoutsfoundation.com. . . . In the leadup to the dinner, we are introducing folks to each of the honourees. So let’s meet Al Tuer. . . .

AL TUER

(July 19, 1963 —)

Born in North Battleford, Sask., he began his scouting career (1999-2000) with NHL Central Scouting. . . . He joined the Calgary Flames as an amateur scout (2001-10). . . . Followed that with 11 seasons with the Florida Panthers as a pro scout, then head pro scout and director of professional scouting. . . . Has been a pro scout with the New York Rangers since 2021. . . . As a player, spent two-plus seasons with the WHL’s Regina Pats, racking up 486 penalty minutes in 1981-82. . . . A 12-season professional playing career included one goal in 57 games split between Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars and Hartford Whalers. . . . After retiring as player, spent five seasons (1993-98) as GM/head coach of Moose Jaw Warriors and one with Tri-City Americans. . . . His father, the late Graham Tuer, was a 2024 Wall of Honour inductee.

Meet Larry Popein, Wall of Honour inductee in 2025

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner is three months away. It is scheduled to be held in Okotoks, Alta., on July 29. . . . Tickets are available at the Foundation’s website (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 you to the Class of ’25. So let’s get to know the late Larry Popein, a man who was much beloved throughout the scouting community. . . .

LARRY POPEIN

(Aug. 11, 1930 — Feb. 7, 2020)

From Yorkton, Sask., the highly popular Popein was known throughout the hockey world as The Pope. . . . Joined the Vancouver Canucks as director of player development in 1974 after a short-lived coaching career. . . . The Canucks cleaned house in 1986 and Popein ended up as a pro scout with the Calgary Flames, a spot he filled until retiring in 1992. . . . Also did pre-scouting with the Flames during playoff runs and is credited with helping in Calgary’s 1989 Stanley Cup title. . . . An under-sized centre (5-9, 170 lb.), he played between Andy Bathgate and Dean Prentice on one of NHL’s top lines in the late-1950s. . . . After seven seasons with the Rangers, he played nine seasons in the Western League, mostly with the Canucks. He finished up with a season (1967-68) with the NHL expansion Oakland Seals.

The 2025 Kamloops Kidney Walk is scheduled for June 1, and Dorothy Drinnan is fund-raising for a 12th straight year. Yes, she has taken part every year since undergoing a kidney transplant in September 2013. . . . If you would like to support her and her favourite cause, you are able to do so right here: https://kidney.akaraisin.com/ui/BCYWALKS25/p/8d2bd58302e2431090e0248fa108dad7

Stein and rings headed to WCPHSF’s 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 the Foundation’s website (hockeyscoutsfoundation.com). . . . Now we would like to introduce you to one of our 2025 inductees, Marty Stein, who has not one, not two, not three, but four Stanley Cup rings. . . . 

MARTY STEIN

(Sept. 12, 1956 —)

From Vernon, B.C., he is one of the rare NHL scouts who never worked for a junior team. . . . Began his NHL career as an amateur scout with the Detroit Red Wings in 1996 and was with them for 25 seasons and four Stanley Cup championships (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008). . . . Also was in on two Calder Cup titles with Detroit’s AHL affiliate. . . . Had been minor and junior hockey teammates with then Detroit GM Ken Holland. . . . Hired as an amateur scout by the Buffalo Sabres in 2021. . . . A prolific lacrosse player, he won three straight (1976-78) Canadian senior B titles with the Vernon Tigers. . . . Is a UBC Thunderbird hockey and soccer alum, and is on the BCHL-Vernon Vipers Alumni Committee. . . . Was a physical education teacher at Vernon’s Clarence Fulton Secondary from 1981-2013 when he retired.

WCPHSF’s Wall of Honour calls for Benning

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 on the Foundation’s website (hockeyscoutsfoundation.com). . . . In the meantime, we are introducing folks to members of the Wall of Honour’s Class of ’25. This time we would like you to meet Jim Benning. . . . 

JIM BENNING

(April 29, 1963 — )

From Edmonton, he followed in the footsteps of his late father, Elmer, who scouted for the Montreal Canadiens for 47 years. Elmer was inducted into the Wall of Honour in 2024. . . . Jim was named WHL’s top defenceman (1980-81) while with the Portland Winterhawks. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected him sixth overall in the NHL’s 1981 draft. . . . Retired after spending 1991-92 in Italy. . . . Got into scouting with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1993. . . . Began a 12-year run with the Buffalo Sabres in 1994. Was director of amateur scouting for the last eight of those years. . . . Moved to the Boston Bruins in 2006 as director of player personnel. Was assistant general manager from 2007-14 when the Vancouver Canucks hired him as general manager. Stayed there through Dec. 6, 2022. . . . Was inducted into Winterhawks’ Hall of Fame (2025).

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Cochrane will be remembered by Wall of Honour

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 on the Foundation’s website (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 Glen Cochrane. . . .

GLEN COCHRANE

(Jan. 29, 1958 — Jan. 13, 2024)

Born in Kamloops and raised in Cranbrook, he was living in Kelowna at the time of his passing, which came after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2023. . . . Was an assistant coach with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets (1995-98) before getting into scouting. . . . Started as an amateur scout in Western Canada with the Colorado Avalanche (2001-07). . . . Moved on to the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and spent 17 years with them. Was still scouting for them at the time of his death. . . . As a rough-and-tumble player, he split 411 regular-season NHL games over 10 seasons between the Philadelphia Flyers, who selected him 50th overall in the NHL’s 1978 draft, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers. . . . Won an AHL championship with the Maine Mariners in 1979. . . . Became successful Little Caesars Pizza franchisee after playing career ended.

Overton to be inducted into Wall of Honour

The calendar tells us that the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is four months away from inducting the Class of 2025 into its Wall of Honour. . . . The second annual induction dinner is scheduled for July 29 at the Viking Rentals Centre, the home of the Wall of Honour, in Okotoks, Alta. . . . The evening is being billed as A Night With the Sutters and there will be a hot stove session or two involving members of hockey’s first family. . . . Tickets for the dinner are available on the Foundation’s website (hockeyscoutsfoundation.com). . . . In the meantime, we are introducing folks to the next inductees, so here’s a look at Doug Overton Sr. . . . 

DOUG OVERTON SR.

(Dec. 8, 1944 — Sept. 13, 2023)

Born in London, Ont., but grew up in Winnipeg. . . . Was a solid junior player with the MJHL’s St. Boniface Canadians, and had a brief stint in the EHL with the Charlotte Checkers before playing senior with the St. Boniface Mohawks and Warroad Lakers. . . . Later took a turn coaching the junior St. Boniface Saints (1972-74). . . . Started his scouting career with the Philadelphia Flyers in the late ’80s before joining Bob Clarke in moving to the Minnesota North Stars in 1990. . . . Spent 20-plus seasons with the Stars organization in scouting roles spanning from amateur scout to director of pro scouting. Was with the Stars for 1999 Stanley Cup championship.

WCPHSF, Igniter Tickets form partnership

(March 12, 2025)

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation has entered into a long-term agreement with Edmonton-based Igniter Tickets to handle online ticket sales to its functions.

The first event to be handled by Igniter Tickets is the Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner. It is scheduled to be held in Okotoks, Alta., the home of the Wall of Honour, on July 29.

“We are really pleased to have been able to strike up a partnership with Igniter Tickets,” Erin Ginnell, the Foundation’s president, said. “This will provide us with some stability in the area of ticket sales, which is of utmost importance to us.”

Garth Malarchuk, the chairman of the Foundation’s board of directors, pointed out that “we did our due diligence and received nothing but positive reviews about Igniter, and entering into a partnership with a Canadian firm was a no-brainer.”

The non-profit WCPHSF is about more than its Wall of Honour. It is “appreciative and indebted to the game of hockey and all that it has provided to our life’s experiences,” as its Vision statement reads. “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 such, the Foundation is committed to providing financial help to scouts with medical issues and to various charities.

Igniter (ignitertickets.com) is a premier provider of ticketing solutions, offering unmatched product depth and hands-on expertise to sports teams and venues. Backed by proven technology and a track record of delivering effective solutions with measurable success, the company takes a creative, specialized approach to every partnership. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation,” said Igniter partner Daniel Giroux, “providing ticketing solutions for their events that celebrate the contributions of those so integral to the sport. It’s an honour to support their mission of recognizing the dedication and expertise of hockey scouts and all they do.”

Igniter also ensures every ticketing portal is customized to reflect the unique identity of each client, putting their brand front and centre to create a memorable and engaging experience for every event attendee.

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

For more information, please contact: 

WCPHSF

Garth Malarchuk, Chairman of the Board

gmalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Tim Lenardon, Co-ordinator

timlenardon78@gmail.com

IGNITER TICKETS

Thommy Hutson, Communications

thommy@ignitertickets.com

1.800.403.5508 ext. 114

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