Tag: Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation

Scouts foundation undergoes name change; gets registered charity status

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OKOTOKS, AB (March 10, 2026) — The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation has undergone a name change.

With an eye to the future and as it moves to expand its footprint, the non-profit organization’s board of directors has changed its name to Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation (PHSF).

“Our foundation has grown and evolved since its inception so that expansion to other areas in North America and possibly Europe was inevitable,” said PHSF president Erin Ginnell. “Transforming to the Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation will allow us to continue to honour and help scouts with a global reach and also continue to give back to the game by reaching a wider range of people and organizations in need.”

The PHSF is in only its third year of existence, having introduced itself to the world with its inaugural dinner on July 30, 2024, in Okotoks. That dinner provided the Foundation with the seed money to have its Wall of Honour video display installed in the Viking Rentals Centre, the home of the BCHL’s Okotoks Oilers.

The Foundation inducted 44 past and present-day scouts into the Wall of Honour in 2024 and added 30 more at its second annual banquet in 2025. The third annual banquet, in Okotoks on Aug. 28, will include the induction of 21 honourees.

As well, the PHSF is to play host to its second annual Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends banquet on Sept. 29, one day before Truth and Reconciliation Day, this time in Kelowna.

“Transitioning from a Western Canada focus to a broader global identity has always been central to our vision,” said PHSF vice-president Ross Mahoney. “From the beginning, our goal has been to build an organization with international reach and impact.

“With our Foundation officially established as the Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation, we are proud to be expanding our efforts beyond Western Canada. We are actively supporting initiatives in Eastern Canada and laying the groundwork for continued growth into the United States.”

The name change reflects the Foundation’s desire to grow into a national and, eventually, an international entity.

There already is a move afoot aimed at establishing a PHSF chapter in Eastern Canada. An organizing committee is in the works, while discussions are ongoing involving the location of a Wall of Honour.

While revealing its name change, the PHSF also announced it has been designated a registered charitable organization by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Foundation, which had been operating under Alberta’s Societies Act, had applied to the CRA early in 2025.

“Obtaining our charity status with the CRA took considerable time and effort, but it will be well worth the wait and expense,” said Garth Malarchuk, the PHSF’s chairman of the board. “It significantly enhances our fundraising capabilities and provides our foundation with greater opportunities to deliver meaningful financial assistance to individuals, communities, and charitable organizations in support of sports initiatives, as well as medical and educational needs.”

The PHSF’s website remains at the same address — hockeyscoutsfoundation.com — and there always is more organizational information available there.

For further information, contact:

Garth Malarchuk

PHSF chairman of the board

GMalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Gregg Drinnan

PHSF editor/historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

Kidney Walk returns, and so does Dorothy!

The Kidney Walk is back and, yes, Dorothy Drinnan is back, too.

The 2026 Kamloops Kidney Walk is scheduled for June 7 in McDonald Park.

Dorothy, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2013, is taking part, meaning that she is fund-raising, for a 13th straight year. (Hey, she is doing just fine, too; thanks for asking.)

She goes into the 2026 Walk having raised $42,015.30 over the first 12 years.

A co-founder of the Kamloops Kidney Support Group — we gather for breakfast on the fourth Saturday of every month — Dorothy’s participation in fund-raising for the Kidney Walk is her way of saying “Thank You” to her donor, all those folks who were involved in her transplant, and those who continue to provide care through the renal clinic at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

A huge thank you, too, to Dean (Scooter) Vrooman and the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation for getting Dorothy’s 2026 campaign started with a donation of $500. The non-profit Foundation honoured Scooter, the retired long-time radio voice of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, with the Bob Ridley Golden Microphone Honourarium in 2025. The award includes $500 that the honouree is to give to a charity or individual of his choosing.

Scooter chose to donate it to the Kidney Foundation of Canada/BC and Yukon branch, via Dorothy’s Kidney Walk Page.

If you are interested in joining Scooter on Dorothy’s team, you may do so right here.

https://kidney.akaraisin.com/ui/bcywalks26/p/16a8085dca694a6192b5207d3475da01

WCPHS Foundation salutes Delorme with Two Glens’ award

OKOTOKS, Alta. (Feb. 4, 2026) — Ron Delorme, a former NHL player who has spent 40 years scouting with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, is the 2026 recipient of the Two Glens’ Honourarium from the non-profit Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation.

Ron Delorme, at the Foundation’s 2014 Wall of Honour induction dinner.

The Foundation made the announcement today.

Delorme, 70, will be honoured at the Foundation’s third annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks on Aug. 28.

The Two Glens’ Honourarium was created by the Foundation in memory of Glen Cochrane and Glen Dirk, two beloved members of the scouting community who lost battles with cancer early in 2024. It is presented annually to an individual or individuals who are dedicated to the profession and show humanitarian values and goodwill in their day-to-day lives.

The honourarium carries with it a financial benefit with the honouree able to present it to a charitable organization or an individual who requires assistance with medical and/or mental health challenges.

“Ron was a mentor to a lot of us . . . we all looked up to him,” said Scott Bradley, who chaired the selection committee. Bradley, who is in the Wall of Honour, is in his 33rd season with the Boston Bruins, now as senior advisor to the general manager. “I’m just so happy that Ron is going to get this award. I really can’t say enough about him.”

“Ron is the perfect candidate for the Two Glens’ award,” added Erin Ginnell, the Foundation’s president. “With 40 years of scouting behind him, he has helped so many fellow scouts and has been a mentor to a lot of us over the years. So many miles and so many laughs . . . he’s one of kind.”

After a knee injury ended Delorme’s nine-season professional playing career, he joined the Canucks’ scouting staff in 1986. In 2000, he was promoted to chief amateur scout, a position he filled for 22 seasons before stepping back to amateur scout. Add it all up and he now is in his 40th season as a Canucks’ scout.

A native of North Battleford, Sask., Delorme, who is Cree, grew up in Cochin, Sask. He has long been heavily involved in working with Indigenous youths both on and off the fields of play.

He is a member of both the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame and the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Two Glens’ Honorarium was first presented in 2025 when veteran scouts Dean Malkoc and Jesse Wallin were honoured.

You are able to follow the WCPHS Foundation at its website — hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

For further information, contact:

Garth Malarchuk

WCPHSF chairman of the board

GMalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Gregg Drinnan

WCPHSF editor/historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

WCPHSF honours Lazaruk with Golden Microphone Honourarium

OKOTOKS, Alta. (Jan. 27, 2026) — Les Lazaruk, the longtime play-by-play voice of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, will receive the Bob Ridley Golden Microphone Honourarium at the 2026 Wall of Honour induction banquet, the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation announced today.

This award, presented annually by the non-profit foundation, recognizes a member of the print or broadcasting profession for their dedicated years of service at the major junior level. It carries with it an honourarium to be donated to an individual or charity of their choosing.

Bob Ridley (right) congratulates Les Lazaruk on having been awarded the Golden Microphone Honourarium on Jan. 27 in Medicine Hat during a visit by the Saskatoon Blades. (Photo by Blair Reid)

“I am shocked . . . thrilled . . . and honoured,” Lazaruk said when informed that he was to receive the Golden Microphone. “Are you sure you couldn’t find someone more deserving?”

No, Les, we couldn’t.

The award is named in honour of Ridley, who called more than 4,000 Medicine Hat Tigers games and also drove the team bus a lot of the time before retiring in August 2022.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled in Les being selected,” said Ridley, who is a member of the selection committee. “Les and I worked side-by-side in broadcast booths for many years and he has always been an outstanding talent and a credit to his occupation and community. I am just so happy to see Les receive this honourarium.”

Lazaruk has been the radio voice of Blades’ games since the start of the 1994-95 season. Now in his 32nd season, he has called more than 2,300 regular-season and playoff games.

“I have known Les for a long time,” said Gregg Drinnan, the Foundation’s editor and historian. “He personifies exactly the terms of this honour. If you are at all familiar with his work in covering and calling games involving the Blades, you know that no one is more dedicated to or more passionate about major junior hockey.”

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Lazaruk first got into the media when he worked with the student newspaper at the U of Manitoba. Later, he interned at the Winnipeg Free Press before joining the Winnipeg Tribune sports department. He was at The Trib when it folded on Aug. 25, 1980.

Two months later, he was the sports director at radio station CKLQ in Brandon, where he stayed until May 1983. He spent the next 10-plus years, through January 1994, at CJOB in Winnipeg where he was heavily involved in coverage of the Winnipeg Jets.

He has been the Saskatoon Media Group’s sports director since September 1994. He made his Blades’ debut on Sept. 23, 1994, as Saskatoon beat the host Regina Pats, 8-3.

Lazaruk will be presented with the Golden Microphone award at the foundation’s third annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks on Aug. 28.

He is the second recipient of the award, after Dean (Scooter) Vrooman, the retired radio voice of the Portland Winterhawks.

Follow the WCPHS Foundation at its website — hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

For further information, contact:

Garth Malarchuk

WCPHSF chairman of the board

GMalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Gregg Drinnan

WCPHSF editor/historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

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.