Tag: Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation

Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends banquet coming to Regina

REGINA (May 13, 2025) — The non-profit Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is partnering with the Regina Hotel Association to celebrate Indigenous hockey.

A dinner, billed as ‘Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends’, is scheduled for Sept. 30 at the Conexus Arts Centre on Lakeshore Drive in Regina’s beautiful Wascana Park.

The dinner also is being held in conjunction with National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

It is anticipated that the evening will include two hot stove sessions featuring some of those legends, including Kalley Armstrong, Ron Delorme, the King brothers, D.J. and Dwight, Jon (Nasty) Mirasty, Rich Pilon, Jordin Tootoo, Hall-of-Famer Bryan Trottier and Dave (Tiger) Williams, with more to be added.

“Having the opportunity to hold an event in a city with one of the richest histories in hockey on such a significant day and adding in the banquet’s theme is just a recipe for a successful event,” said Garth Malarchuk, a longtime scout with the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the WCPHS Foundation’s chairman of the board. “This certainly meets one of our foundation’s primary mandates in supporting and giving back to the community.”

The dinner also will feature auctions involving hockey sweaters from Indigenous players.

Some of the proceeds from the evening will be shared with Regina-area organizations, including the Ranch Ehrlo Society’s Outdoor Hockey League, which had a single-season high 466 players participate in 2024-25, its 32nd season. Also receiving some of the proceeds will be Sask Sport, for KidSport Saskatchewan, and the Circle Project, which, according to its mission statement, “provides support and programs based on the Aboriginal vision of wholeness, balance, and healing. By promoting positive human development, we encourage people to help themselves through education, cultural awareness, family and community.”

“Regina has always been a city where hockey lives at the heart of the community. We are proud to welcome the 2025 Western Canadian Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation gala dinner and celebrate the legacy and contributions of the scouts who shape the game we love,” Sandra Jackle, the RHA’s president and CEO, said. “Partnering this event with National Day for Truth and Reconciliation not only amplifies the energy but also highlights the strong hockey culture that defines our city.

“We are thrilled to support this initiative, which not only brings the hockey world together but also gives back to the Regina community through the Scouts Foundation mission and outreach.”

Tammy Hoffart, KidSport’s provincial co-ordinator, added: “KidSport is a children’s charity designated to assist children ages 5-18 of families facing financial obstacles to participate in community sport programs. In 2024, KidSport provided opportunities to 5,500 children in Saskatchewan — 1,254 of which self identified as Indigenous. . . . Hockey remains one of our top-funded sports and in 2024 KidSport helped 861 kids through over $300,000 in grants to participate.

“Connecting with the Indigenous Hockey Legends banquet will help as KidSport looks to broaden our reach in 2025 and celebrate 30 years of helping get kids off the sidelines and into the game.”

Banquet tickets — $250 each or $1,600 per table of eight — are available at the Foundation’s website (hockeyscoutsfoundation.com).

In the lead-up to the dinner, the foundation and the hotel association will sponsor a contest involving Regina high school students. It will run from Sept. 1-14. The Foundation is looking for a ‘Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends’-related design to use on t-shirts, with sale proceeds to be given to charity. The contest winner will receive a bursary and an invitation to the banquet as a guest of the foundation. Watch for more details on this contest to be revealed in August.

“As a Reginan and a scout, I am really excited for the possibilities that exist for our foundation through an event such as this,” said Ross Mahoney, the WCPHS Foundation’s vice-president and the NHL-Washington Capitals’ assistant general manager. “I also am a former Regina high school teacher, so am really looking forward to being involved with the schools and our contest.”

The WCPHSF is in its infancy, having held its startup banquet less than two years ago. It raised enough money through that dinner and all that went with it, including a roast of Hockey Night in Canada’s Ron MacLean and various auctions, that it was able to get its Wall of Honour built and installed in the Viking Rentals Centre, the arena in Okotoks, Alta.

The Foundation held its inaugural induction dinner on July 29, 2024, during which 49 past and present-day scouts were saluted. The theme was ‘Tales From the Road,’ with two hot stove sessions featuring a whole lot of story-telling.

This year’s induction banquet — A Night With the Sutters — is scheduled for Okotoks on July 29, with a class of 29 to be inducted. The night will include hot stove sessions featuring hockey’s Sutter brothers.

There is a whole lot more to the WCPHSF than a Wall of Honour.

Since its inception, the Foundation has operated as a non-profit organization under the Alberta Societies Act; it recently applied for registered charity status with Revenue Canada.

The Foundation’s Vision statement, which is on its website (hockeyscoutsfoundation.com), includes:

“Our non-profit foundation is appreciative and indebted to the game of hockey and all that it has provided to our life’s experiences. 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.”

The Foundation already has helped out in those areas with organizations as varied as Bear Clan Bow River and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It also has provided financial help to scouts with medical issues.

The Foundation’s long-range plan includes providing financial assistant to individuals in the scouting community who are facing medical challenges; conducting seminars to provide future scouts, parents, players and coaches with information about the realities of playing hockey at a professional level; organize ‘Bid for Kids’ auction packages with all proceeds going to a designated individual or child-focused organization; supporting organizations across Western Canada with funding to reduce operational costs; and donations to health-related charities.

For further info, contact . . . 

Garth Malarchuk, WCPHSF chairman of the board

gmalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Tim Lenardon, WCPHSF co-ordinator

timlenardon78@gmail.com

Gregg Drinnan, WCPHSF editor/historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

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.

Malkoc, Wallin, Vrooman to be saluted by Scouts Foundation

OKOTOKS, Alta. (March 25, 2025) — Veteran scouts Dean Malkoc and Jesse Wallin, along with retired broadcaster Dean (Scooter) Vrooman, will be honoured by the Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation at its second annual Wall of Honour induction dinner in Okotoks on July 29.

Malkoc and Wallin will be presented with the Two Glens’ Honourarium, while Vrooman is to be given the Bob Ridley Golden Microphone Honourarium. Each of the recipients also will receive a financial award that is to be given to a charity of their choosing.

The Two Glens’ Honourarium was cast in the memories of Glen Cochrane (left, above) and Glen Dirk, two long-time scouts who passed away from cancer in 2024.  It is to be presented annually to a deserving scout, or scouts, who display camaraderie, competitiveness, dedication and humour, all traits that were in ample supply with the much beloved Cochrane and Dirk.

Wallin has been in the scouting game since 2013, first with the St. Louis Blues and now with the Detroit Red Wings. After six seasons as an amateur scout with the Blues, he now is in his sixth season as Detroit’s head amateur scout.

“I was really honoured when I was told I would be receiving this award,” Wallin said. “I had no idea . . . I wasn’t expecting it.”

Wallin had known Dirk and Cochrane for a long time, so this award really carries some meaning with it.

“I met Glen during the draft process in my draft year,” Wallin said, “and when I spent a bit of time with New Jersey. I met Glen Cochrane through Peter Anholt quite a while ago.

“To be associated with them was a real privilege.”

Malkoc was especially close to Dirk, often looking at him as a father figure. 

From Vancouver, Malkoc has been scouting with the Boston Bruins since 2007. After 15 seasons as an amateur scout, he now is in his third season as Boston’s director of amateur scouting.

Meanwhile, Ridley called Medicine Hat Tigers’ games on radio, handling more than 4,000 games over 52 seasons — he also drove the team’s bus for 45 of those seasons — before retiring in August 2022.

The Golden Microphone is to recognize a member of the media or broadcasting profession for their dedicated years of service at the major junior level.

Vrooman, who grew up in Beaverton, Ore., was the play-by-play voice of the Portland Winterhawks for more than 30 seasons. He called games from 1982-2007 and was part of the broadcast team, with his son Todd handling play-by-play, from 2012-19. Dean retired after the 2018-19 season.

“I am honoured to have been selected for the Golden Microphone award,” Vrooman said after Ridley informed him of the honour. “I am just very gratified and appreciative that I am being recognized for my career accomplishments.”

“Dean is a terrific choice as the first recipient of this honour,” said Gregg Drinnan, a member of the selection committee who also is the Foundation’s editor and historian. “He had a whole lot to do with establishing the Winterhawks in Portland and for the success the franchise has had. There was a time when he was as much the face of the franchise as anyone.”

Tickets for the second annual induction dinner now are available on the Foundation’s website — hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

For more information, contact:

Garth Malarchuk, WCPHSF Chairman of the Board

gmalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Tim Lenardon, WCPHSF Co-ordinator

timlenardon78@gmail.com

Gregg Drinnan, WCPHSF Editor/Historian

greggdrinnan@gmail.com

Gare headed to WCPHS Foundation’s Wall of Honour

The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation will usher 29 past and present-day scouts into its Wall of Honour during the second annual induction dinner in Okotoks on July 29. . . . The Wall of Honour is housed in the Viking Rentals Centre, the home arena of the BCHL’s Okotoks Oilers. . . . 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). . . . Between now and then, we are introducing the members of the Class of ’25, so let’s meet Ernie Gare Jr.

ERNIE GARE JR.

(Feb. 14, 1952 —)

Born in Nelson, B.C., he is of a legendary hockey family. . . . Ernie Sr. is a member of the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame. Brothers Danny and Morey had professional playing careers, and brother-in-law Tom Renney was a coach of note. . . . Ernie Jr. got NHL scouting career started with Toronto Maple Leafs (1993-97), then joined Boston Bruins (1997-2000). . . . Finished up with New York Rangers (2000-15). . . . Earlier, he became the first person to win BCHL championship as a player and as a coach. He won BCHL scoring title in 1971-72 as he helped Vernon Essos to the title. . . . As a coach, he guided Vernon Lakers to BCHL championships in 1987-88 and 1988-89. . . . As a player, he won Allan Cup (1976) with Spokane Flyers and Savage Cup with Trail Smoke Eaters (1979).

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