The hockey scouting community’s efforts are set to be in the spotlight in Okotoks.
The Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation’s inaugural Wall of Honour induction dinner on July 30 at the Foothills Centennial Centre will celebrate the class of 45 inductees to be featured on the wall, a digital display in the foyer of the Okotoks Centennial Arenas.
“This is not a wall of fame, it’s a Wall of Honour in recognizing years of service and longevity in scouting,” said Garth Malarchuk, chairman of the board of the WCPHSF. “This is not a case of guys getting voted in because of their successes, it’s out of respect for their longevity of working as scouts in the business.
“All 45 of these individuals were associated with scouting for over 20 years and that says a lot about their dedication and the hard work they had to put into it.”
Among the inductees will be Ian McKenzie, a longtime Calgary Flames scout from High River, who passed away in 2022. McKenzie’s family will be in attendance to accept the honour on his behalf.
McKenzie scouted with the St. Louis Blues and a had a 25-year association with the Flames, dating back to the team’s time in Atlanta, and later with the Phoenix Coyotes.
“Ian got me into the scouting business, I started as a part-time guy with the Flames,” Malarchuk said. “I know he was a big push on three or four players for the Flames, Mike Vernon, Tim Hunter and big-time on Theo Fleury.
“I can’t tell you all the stories about Ian, but he’s a legend.”
The honourees run the gamut from the pioneers — Cecil (Tiny) Thompson, Danny Summers, Frank Currie, George Agar and Murray (Torchy) Schell — to the early era (1968-80) and modern era (1981-present day).
Lorne Frey and Graham Tuer will be recognized in the Major Junior category with Malarchuk, Don Paarup, Glen Dirk, Mike Penny and Ron Delorme set to earn Recognition and Dedication Service awards.
The Ace Award, in honour of the late, great Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings scout Garnet Edward ‘Ace’ Bailey, will also be handed out.
Malarchuk said 39 to 40 of the 45 honourees will be represented at the event, either in-person or via family members.
“That’s pretty impressive,” Malarchuk said. “A lot of people will be coming in for it.”
Following the Wall of Honour unveiling at 5 p.m., the dinner and banquet runs from 6 p.m. onwards and will feature Hot Stove sessions involving Ken Holland, John Davidson, Craig Button, Brian Skrudland, Archie Henderson and Al Teur, to name a few, along with live and silent auctions.
“These are funny guys,” Malarchuk said. “And the theme is tales from the road so there will be some pretty good stories.”
The WCPHSF launched in the fall of 2023 with the Roast of Ron MacLean as its kick-off event.
The idea of having the digital board display the Wall of Honour at Okotoks’ Centennial Arenas was years in the works and came about through a connection between Malarchuk and fellow-director Wayne Lauinger, the chairman of the board of the Okotoks Jr. A Oilers.
For more information on the banquet and the WCPHSF, visit hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.
