Tag: Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation

Foundation mourns loss of Gary Sutter

That’s Gary Sutter in the middle of his brothers — Rich (left), Duane, Brian, Ron, Darryl and Brent — at the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s 2025 induction dinner in Okotoks.

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is mourning the loss of Gary Sutter after the first family of hockey’s eldest son died on Wednesday (Dec. 31) in Viking, Alta. He was a week from his 71st birthday.

“The Foundation joins in hockey fans from around the world in offering deepest condolences to Gary’s family and friends,” said Garth Malarchuk, the WCPHS Foundation’s chairman of the board. “We all know how much the Sutters have meant to hockey and Gary was an integral part of the family.”

Grace and Louis Sutter, who lived on a farm southeast of Edmonton, near Viking, had seven sons, all born from 1954 to 1963. Six of them would play in the NHL.

Gary, who family members say may have been the best of them all, was the lone defenceman. He also was the only one not to play in the big league, choosing instead to stay home and work on the farm.

Gary is survived by his mother, Grace, and brothers Brian, 69; Darryl, 67; Brent, 63; Duane, 65; and twins, Rich and Ron, 62,

Duane was inducted into the Foundation’s Wall of Honour in 2025; Rich and Ron will be inducted in 2026.

The 2025 induction dinner in Okotoks was billed as A Night With the Sutters and included a couple of Hot Stove sessions. Gary was in the house and seemed especially pleased when the Foundation presented him with a commemorative belt buckle.

Gary has been a member of the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame since 2017 when his entire family was inducted.

According to the family, a private funeral will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that, if you are so inclined, donations be made to God’s Acre Cemetery, the Viking Minor Hockey Association or the Viking Health Foundation.

Bzdel, Bailey headline Wall of Honour’s Class of 2026

OKOTOKS, Alta. (Nov. 19, 2025) — Jim Bzdel, a veteran of more than 30 years in the scouting game, and Garnet (Ace) Bailey, who was part of seven Stanley Cup-winners as a player and/or scout, headline the Class of 2026 that will be inducted into the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s Wall of Honour next summer.

The induction dinner is to be held in Okotoks on Aug. 28.

All told, the Foundation will induct 20 scouts — one (Bzdel) from the early era (1968-80), 17 from the modern era and two from the major junior game.

“I want to congratulate all of the individuals and their families on being selected to the WCPHS Foundation’s Wall of Honour,” said Scott Bradley, one of the Foundation’s directors and the chairman of the Wall of Honour selection committee. “This will be our third induction banquet, and there are still many more individuals to be honoured in the years ahead.”

Bzdel, 91, has lived in Regina since 1954. He spent 24 years working for the City of Regina, choosing to retire in 1993 and get into scouting on a full-time basis. He had started his scouting career with the WHA’s Los Angeles Sharks in 1972, and also worked with that league’s Cincinnati Stingers. In the NHL, he scouted for the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks before retiring in 2002.

Bailey was the Los Angeles Kings’ director of pro scouting and was en route to training camp on Sept. 11, 2001, when his flight was commandeered and flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. He was 53. As a player, he won a Memorial Cup (Edmonton Oil Kings, 1966), Calder Cup (Hershey Bears, 1969) and two Stanley Cups (Boston Bruins, 1970, 1972). He worked as a pro scout with the Edmonton Oilers for 13 seasons, helping them win five Stanley Cups, before moving to the Kings in 1994.

The WCPHS Foundation’s Ace Award is named in honour of Bailey. It is awarded annually to a person, or persons, who have exceeded expectations in helping those in the scouting fraternity.

Also included in the Wall of Honour’s Class of 2026 are Mike Barnett, once Wayne Gretzky’s long-time agent and now a senior executive with the New York Rangers; Dan Ginnell, whose father, the late Pat Ginnell, and brother Erin both are in the Wall of Honour; and twin brothers Rich and Ron Sutter, whose brother Duane was inducted in July.

The list is rounded out by Craig Channell, Paul Charles, Marcel Comeau, Jeff Crisp, Marshall Davidson, the late Laurence Ferguson, Thomas Gradin, Randy Hansch, Ryan Jankowski, Kelly Kisio, the late Jack McIlhargey and John Williams. Ray Dudra and the late Mark Johnston will be inducted as major junior scouts.

“Congratulations to the members of the outstanding Class of 2026 who have been selected to the WCPHS Foundation’s Wall of Honour,” offered Foundation president Erin Ginnell. “It’s always a tremendous honour to be recognized by your peers, especially with so many deserving scouts.

“I’m looking forward to a great evening and catching up with all involved.”

The Foundation has been in existence since 2023. It will hold its third annual Wall of Honour induction ceremony during a dinner in Okotoks on Aug. 28. The dinner has been moved from late July in order to strengthen the Foundation’s partnership with the Yuill Foundation, which is to hold its second annual Golf Classic in Medicine Hat on Aug. 27.

The Wall of Honour, featuring a rolling video display that includes brief bios of each inductee, is located in the Viking Rentals Centre in Okotoks.

The 20-member Class of 2026 will bring the total number of Wall of Honour members to 94.

Information on ticket availability for the banquet will be released early in 2026.

WCPHS Foundation shares its good cheer with Medicine Hat groups

MEDICINE HAT (Nov. 10, 2025) — The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation, a beneficiary of the inaugural Yuill Foundation Golf Classic, is spreading some of that largesse around the Medicine Hat community.

The WCPHS Foundation received $93,000 from the Yuill Foundation after the Golf Classic was held at Desert Blume Golf Course on Sept. 11.

In turn, the WCPHS Foundation has chosen to make donations to the Senior Home Pet Visit Program, the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, the Equestrian Gymkhana Winter Series and the Hockey Hounds bantam tournament.

“We are deeply grateful to the Yuill Foundation for their outstanding generosity and continued support,” said Garth Malarchuk, the WCPHS Foundation’s chairman of the board. “Their unwavering commitment and exceptional efforts are unparalleled and have set a remarkable standard for others to follow.

“And we are more than pleased to support community programs in Medicine Hat. As our Foundation’s Vision Statement reads, ‘. . . we feel a strong obligation and commitment to give back to charities, communities and individuals, who could benefit from our support and financial assistance.’ ”

The Senior Home Pet Visit Program, which supports those who reside in 11 senior facilities in Medicine Hat and one in Bow Island, was given $15,000 to cover administrative costs for one year. Programs such as this bring comfort and joy to seniors through pet visits, helping with mental health care and well-being. The Medicine Hat program also involves special needs youth from the REDI Enterprises Foundation in the care and handling, thus creating an inclusive and compassionate experience.

The 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games are to be held in Medicine Hat from Aug. 11-15. The WCPHS Foundation donated $5,000 to the organizing committee to help cover costs associated with playing host to an event of this magnitude. The Games are expected to attract more than 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials to the city, with more than 1,000 local volunteers involved in keeping things on track.

The Equestrian Gymkhana Winter Series, which was given $1,000, is a new program that allows youngsters to experience the therapeutic benefits of working with horses. The money will help cover the costs of essential riding props for the inaugural event. Working with horses has proven beneficial to the mental health of young people, many of whom are dealing with anxiety issues and/or come from dysfunctional family environments.

The Hockey Hounds tournament, one of the longest-running bantam tournaments in Western Canada, also received $1,000. The money will help cover costs associated with the organizing and operation of the 2026 tournament.

The WCPHS Foundation’s man behind the scenes in Medicine Hat is associate director Blair Reid, who was a long-time scout and was a part of the Wall of Honour’s inaugural class in 2024.

“It’s wonderful that the scouts foundation has this relationship with the Yuill Foundation that includes participation in the annual Golf Classic,” Reid said, “and for us to be able to help out four organizations that give so much back to Medicine Hat and area is terrific.”

The WCPHS Foundation is continuing its relationship with the Yuill Foundation and, in fact, is working to make things bigger and better. As a result, the third annual Wall of Honour induction dinner will be held in Okotoks on Aug. 28 to allow an easier connection to the Golf Classic, which is scheduled for Aug. 27 in Medicine Hat. The first two induction dinners, in 2024 and 2025, had been held late in July.

Duane Sutter among Wall of Honour inductees

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation held its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks on Tuesday (July 29). . . . Thirty past and present-day scouts were inducted into the Wall of Honour, and that included Duane Sutter. He didn’t have any idea that this was going to happen until he arrived for the dinner, which was billed as A Night With the Sutters and included a couple of hot stove sessions. . . . Over the past while, we introduced you to all of the inductees, so here’s a chance to meet Duane Sutter. . . . 

DUANE SUTTER

(March 16, 1960 — )

From Viking, Alta., he is one of six brothers to have played in the NHL. . . . Selected by the New York Islanders with the 17th overall pick in NHL’s 1979 draft. . . . Had 34 points in 21 games with the 1979-80 Lethbridge Broncos when the Islanders recalled him. Won four Stanley Cup titles in his first four seasons with them (1980-81-82-83). . . . Spent two seasons (1990-92) scouting with the Chicago Blackhawks before getting into coaching and working with the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL), Indianapolis Ice (IHL) and Florida Panthers. . . . Returned to scouting in 2003 and worked with Florida, the Calgary Flames (three seasons as director of player development), Edmonton Oilers (five seasons as pro scout, three as VP of hockey ops) and Pittsburgh Penguins. . . . Left the scouting game after one season (2019-20) as pro scout with Pittsburgh.

Wall of Honour awaits Robson’s presence

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is to hold its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks on Tuesday (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 (tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com). . . . With all that in mind, we have been introducing members of the Wall of Honour’s Class of ’25 over the past while, and here we close out with a look at Brad Robson. . . .

BRAD ROBSON

(May 23, 1953 — )

From Calgary, started as B.C. area scout with the WHL’s New Westminster Bruins (1977-79). . . . Joined the Great Falls Americans for 1979-80, then, when the team folded mid-season, began scouting southern Alberta for the Brandon Wheat Kings (1980-84). . . . Got into the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars and spent seven seasons (1986-93) there. . . . Moved to Dallas with the franchise and was with the Stars for 15 seasons (1993-2008), winning the 1999 Stanley Cup. Also helped the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders (1994-96). . . . Worked with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes (2009-14) and was president and GM of the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers (2015-19). . . . Joined Dynasty Hockey Group in Calgary (2019) as vice-president and director of player development. . . . Spent almost 31 years with the Calgary Police Service, retiring in June 2010 as acting staff sergeant.

Wall of Honour to welcome Fisher

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner is scheduled for Okotoks on Tuesday (July 29). . . . Okotoks, the home of the BCHL’s Oilers, also is the home of the Wall of Honour. Yes, it’s right there in the Viking Rentals Centre. . . . That also will be the site of the induction dinner, tickets for which are available on the Foundation’s website (tickets.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 Milt Fisher. . . .

MILT FISHER

(March 28, 1950 — )

Born in Prince Albert, he spent almost 40 years as a scout and in all that time worked for only two teams — the Prince Albert Raiders and New Jersey Devils. . . . Started with the Raiders of the SJHL in 1979 — he won two Centennial Cups with them as national junior A champions. Was responsible for setting up their scouting system when they moved into the WHL in 1992. . . . Got into the NHL as a part-timer with the Devils in 1986 and moved into a full-time role in 1996. . . . Retired in 2017. . . . Won a Memorial Cup with the Raiders in 1985 and three Stanley Cups with the Devils (1995, 2000 and 2003). . . . Was inducted into the Raiders’  Wall of Honour as a builder on Jan. 17, 2015.

Wilson takes more than 50 years of scouting into 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 on the Foundation’s website (tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com). . . . Now we would like to introduce you to Keith Wilson, one of our 2025 inductees. . . .

KEITH WILSON

(March 5, 1943 — )

Born in Daventry, England, he migrated in 1948. . . . Recalls travelling with Swift Current Broncos scout John Vogel in 1972. . . . Has been WHL scout for every season since then. . . . Worked with Swift Current/Lethbridge Broncos (1972-79), Billings Bighorns/Nanaimo Islanders (1979-83), Medicine Hat Tigers (1983-88), Seattle Thunderbirds (1988-94), Tri-City Americans (1994-95), Prince Albert Raiders (1995-2001), Spokane Chiefs (2001-02), Swift Current again (2002-18) and Edmonton Oil Kings (2018-). . . . That’s 53 consecutive seasons through 2024-25. . . . Was head scout and director of player personnel with the Raiders. . . . Won two WHL championships and Memorial Cups (1987, 1988) with Medicine Hat, one WHL title with Swift Current (2018) and one with Edmonton (2022). . . . Thanks Les Calder, Russ Farwell, Dennis Beyak, Rick Valette, Tim Speltz, Jamie Porter and Kirt Hill “for showing faith in my scouting ability.”

Payne among Wall of Honour’s Class of ’25

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner is only a couple of weeks away. It is scheduled to be held in Okotoks, Alta., on July 29. . . . Tickets are available at the Foundation’s website (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 you to the Class of ’25. So let’s get to know Ray Payne. . . .

RAY PAYNE

(Aug. 25, 1942 — )

Born in Toronto, he began scouting as part-timer with the Minnesota North Stars (1989-90). . . . The San Jose Sharks hired him in 1990 and he was with them through 2004, but left for two years to join Hockey Canada as director of scouting. . . . Won gold at the 1996 World Junior Championship in Boston. . . . Was San Jose’s chief scout for his final eight seasons there. . . . Moved to the Washington Capitals (2004-07) and then spent two seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, the last one as associate head scout. . . . Has been in the WHL since 2011, starting with the Calgary Hitmen (2011-17), then Portland Winterhawks (2017-23). . . . Joined the Spokane Chiefs in 2024 as chief B.C. scout. . . . Boston U grad. Played in 1966 Final Four. . . . Taught high school in Toronto area for 17 years before turning to scouting.

Bennett among WCPHS Foundation’s Wall of Honour inductees

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 Darwin Bennett. . . .

DARWIN BENNETT

(Aug. 21, 1947 — )

From Arcola, Sask., Bennett moved to Regina at an early age and was a fixture on the city’s hockey scene through his time as a senior player and on into his scouting career. . . . Began scouting with the Prince Albert Raiders in 1982-83, their first season in the WHL. . . . Joined the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques (part-time) in 1985-86 and was full-time through 1992-93. Was acting head scout from April 1993 through the NHL’s 1993 draft. . . . Also worked for the New York Rangers (1993-2001) and Florida Panthers (2001-06). . . . Has scouted for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks since 2012. . . . Won a Memorial Cup with Prince Albert (1985), a Stanley Cup with the Rangers (1994) and a WHL championship with Portland (2013).

Pedersen Show to open Wall of Honour day celebrations

OKOTOKS (July 9, 2025) — The celebration surrounding the non-profit Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner will get underway on the morning of July 29.

While the dinner is to be held that evening at the Viking Rentals Centre in Okotoks, home of the Wall of Honour, veteran broadcaster Rod Pedersen will kick things off when he opens The Rod Pedersen Show at 10 a.m. (MT) from the lobby of the Sheraton Cavalier Calgary, the Foundation’s host hotel.

“The WCPHSF is doing a great thing with this Wall of Honour, and what they’re doing for the scouting fraternity as a whole,” Pedersen said. “Scouts are easily the most unheralded part of sports teams, but arguably the most important! To have the opportunity to shed more light on what they do by broadcasting our show from the event is a huge blessing.”

What will make the day so much more special is that Pedersen’s late father Jim, a longtime Dallas Stars scout, will be one of the 29 past and present-day scouts inducted into the Wall of Honour.

“I can’t wait to see my Dad’s scouting buddies in Okotoks and hear their war stories on air,” Pedersen said. “Our family is incredibly grateful to have our father recognized in this way and we’re excited to hopefully add to a great event.”

Pedersen’s show will run until noon from the hotel that is located at 2620-32nd Ave. NE. It is anticipated that a number of celebrity guests, honourees and foundation directors will make appearances.

“The Foundation is thrilled that Rod will be able to broadcast from the Sheraton Cavalier that day,” said Garth Malarchuk, the Foundation’s chairman of the board. “This will be a terrific opportunity for us to get out the message that we are about more than the Wall of Honour, that we are about helping charities and those in the scouting fraternity who maybe have been dealt a bad hand medically and need some help.

“Having The Rod Pedersen Show on the air like that is also an exciting way for us to get our big day started.”

The show is available for viewing on the Game+ television network. It also is available on YouTube, Facebook, Spotify. Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. Or you can visit rodpedersen.com/listenlive/.

—30—