Wall of Honour – Page 5

Meet three more Wall of Honour inductees . . .

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation will be inducting 45 past and present-day scouts into its Wall of Honour at its inaugural dinner at the Centennial Arena in Okotoks, Alta., on July 30. Meet three three of the inductees . . .

LORNE DAVIS

(July 20, 1930 — Dec. 20, 2007)

From Regina, he is mostly recognized for 29 seasons on the Edmonton Oilers’ scouting staff. Started with 10 seasons with the St. Louis Blues, beginning in 1966. Also worked with the WHA’s Houston Aeros and the NHL’s New York Rangers. . . . Joined the Oilers for 1979-80 and stayed until his death. Was on their staff for five Stanley Cup titles — 1984-85-87-88-90. . . . Had 15-season pro career as a player, winning a Stanley Cup with the 1952-53 Montreal Canadiens. Also played with the Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. . . . Won bronze medal playing with Canada at the 1966 World championship and was one of Canada’s co-coaches at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. . . . Inducted into Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

CHARLIE HODGE

(July 28, 1933 — April 16, 2016)

A native of Lachine, Que., he was an NHL goaltender for 17 seasons, split between the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Oakland Seals. . . . Won the Stanley Cup eight times — six with Montreal and two as a scout with the Pittsburgh Penguins. . . . Went into real estate once playing career concluded. That ended after 10 years when Winnipeg general manager John Ferguson hired him to scout Western Canada for the Jets, a stint that lasted six seasons. . . . Later spent 16 years with the Penguins and five with the Tampa Bay Lightning. . . . A seat in Pacific Coliseum, former home of the Canucks and the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, carries this plaque: “Reserved for Charlie Hodge, Canucks Alumni and NHL scout.” . . . In his younger days, he was a world-class canoe racer.

BARRY TRAPP

(Aug. 14, 1941 —)

Born in Balcarres, Sask., he is known throughout the hockey community as Trapper. . . . After spending 10 seasons with NHL Central Scouting, five as chief scout, he left in 1996 to take over as Hockey Canada’s director of scouting. That relationship lasted six seasons. Won one gold medal, two silver and two bronze with Canada’s national junior team and six straight titles with Canada’s U18 summer team. . . . Left Hockey Canada to take over as director of amateur scouting with the Toronto Maple Leafs and spent four seasons there. . . . Also was with the Phoenix Coyotes for one season. . . . Finished up scouting for the WHL’s Regina Pats, a team with which he had a long association. . . . Retired in 2023 after more than 60 years in hockey.

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.

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.

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

Three more Wall of Honour inductees . . .

Meet three more scouts who will be part of the class of 45 inductees into the Wall of Honour when the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation holds its inaugural dinner in Okotoks, Alta., on July 30 . . .

BARRY FRASER

(Feb. 10, 1940 — Dec. 4, 2022)

From Kirkland Lake, Ont., he spent 21 seasons scouring for the Edmonton Oilers. . . . When knee injuries brought a premature end to his playing career, he turned to scouting in order to stay involved in the game. . . . The Oilers signed him as their director of scouting in 1979. . . . Was part of five Stanley Cup championships with the Oilers — 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990. . . . Under Fraser’s guidance, the Oilers’ scouting staff had perhaps the greatest three-year run (1979-81) in NHL draft history, selecting the likes of Kevin Lowe, Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, Andy Moog, Grant Fuhr and Steve Smith.

LOU JANKOWSKI

(June 27, 1931 — March 21, 2010)

Born in Regina, he moved with his family to Hamilton as a youngster. . . . Playing career got him to the NHL for 127 regular-season games split between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks. A head injury with Chicago in 1954-55 cut short his NHL career. . . . Spent most of the rest of his playing career in the WHL. . . . As a junior, he won the OHL’s 1950-51 scoring title with the Oshawa Generals. . . . Turned to scouting in 1972 and worked with the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, NHL Central Scouting and New York Rangers. After 15 seasons with the Rangers, he retired in 1993. . . . His son, Ryan, has worked as an NHL scout, while grandson Mark played in the NHL.

GERRY MELNYK

(Sept. 16, 1934 — June 14, 2001)

He retired as a player in 1968 and immediately signed on as a scout with the Philadelphia Flyers. He scouted for the Flyers until retiring in 1997. . . . The Flyers won two Stanley Cup titles (1974 and 1975) with Melnyk on their scouting staff. . . . A native of Edmonton, he played nine seasons in his hometown — four with the junior Oil Kings and five with the Flyers of the old WHL. . . . Split 269 regular-season NHL games between the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks and St. Louis Blues. Played in the Stanley Cup final with Detroit in 1956 and St. Louis in 1968. . . . The Blues traded him to the Flyers, but a heart condition forced him into retirement, so he turned to scouting.

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.

“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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Gregg Drinnan, WCPHSF editor and historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

Barnes of Postmedia shines bright light on scouting fraternity

The headline on the Calgary Herald website reads: “The road warriors of sports: NHL scouts have always been appreciated, but never publicly. Until now.”

Dan Barnes, a veteran sports journalist who works out of Edmonton for Postmedia, wrote a lengthy piece about NHL scouts that appeared in newspapers and on websites on Saturday (March 9).

He led the story by explaining how as many as 100 scouts would hang around for a day after the NHL draft and take part in a best-ball golf tournament that was a social event that allowed them to let loose for a few hours after a long, stressful season. It also showed what a close fraternity this bunch is, despite the fact they are in almost constant competition with each other on the scouting trail.

That annual gathering has gone away, however, thanks to the draft having evolved from a 12-round marathon to an event that ends quickly on its second day.

“Old scouts, however, are nonetheless determined to gather the fraternity on an annual basis and continue shining a spotlight on pioneers of their profession,” Barnes writes.

“The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation was formed for that reason and will fete its inaugural Wall of Honour inductees on July 29 in Okotoks, Alta. Forty-five men will be honoured for their dedication and accomplishments, 19 posthumously . . .”

This is a rich read and will take you at least two cups of coffee. But it’s well worth it.

You’ll find quotes and stories from the likes of Kevin Prendergast, Mike Penny, Wayne Meier, Bruce Haralson, Ted Hampson, Archie Henderson, Vaughn Karpan and Scott Bradley, all of whom will be among the inaugural class of inductees at the Wall of Honour celebration in Okotoks.

**Retired scout Wayne Meier has three Stanley Cup rings from his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo: Gregg Drinnan)**

“At the end of his 30-year career, Henderson did the math,” Barnes writes. “He was 65 and estimated he had been at 6,000 games and spent 19 calendar years away from home.”

Henderson told Barnes: “I was away from my wife and my family, my kids, my parents for 19 years of my life. And how many people can sit back and say they would be willing to give up that many nights?”

These were and are a special breed and Barnes shines a nice, bright light on their profession.

His complete story, along with some terrific photos, is right here: https://calgaryherald.com/sports/nhl-scouts-wall-of-honour-inductees-okotoks

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