Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends – presented by Bouchier

The non-profit Western Canada Professional Hockey Scouts Foundation is partnering with Bouchier 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 is also being held in conjunction with the 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, Brent Dodginghorse, the King brothers, D.J. and Dwight, Jon (Nasty) Mirasty, Rich Pilon, Jordin Tootoo, Bryan Trottier and Dave (Tiger) Williams.

“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.”

Bryan, 69, is of Métis descent from Val Marie, Sask. . . . Spent three seasons with the nearby Swift Current Broncos. . . . Won seven Stanley Cups in an 18-year NHL career — four with the New York Islanders, two with the Pittsburgh Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche. . . . Was NHL’s rookie of the year for 1975-76, and NHL’s leading scorer and MVP for 1978-79. . . . Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (1997), the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame (2012), Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2016), the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in (2016) and the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (2024),. . . . The Islanders retired his number (19) in 2001. . . . Combined with writer Stephen Brunt to produce his biography — All Roads Home: A Life On and Off the Ice — in 2022. Dwight, 36, is Métis from Meadow Lake, Sask, . . . Played four seasons with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes. . . . NHL career comprised 365 regular-season games with the Los Angeles Kings (348) Montreal Canadiens (17). Also got into 75 playoff games, 69 of those with the Kings with whom he won two Stanley Cups (2011-12, 2013-14). . . . Retired after one season in the KHL and two in Austria (2018-20). . . . Has coached minor hockey in Meadow Lake along with older brother D.J. . . . Inducted into Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023 (builders/grassroots), along with brother D.J., and sisters Danene (Kopperud) and Dayna. . . . Heavily involved with the family-run King’s Hockey School on the Flying Dust First Nation near Meadow Lake. Dwayne Jr, 41, is Métis from Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. . . . After four seasons in the WHL — three-plus with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and 28 games with the Kelowna Rockets, who won the 2004 Memorial Cup — went on to a nine-season pro career that included 118 games over six seasons split between the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals. . . . Joined brother Dwight and sisters Dayna King and Danene Kopperud as inductees into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023 in the builder/grassroots category. . . . They operate King’s Hockey School on the Flying Dust First Nation near Meadow Lake. . . . A pro chuckwagon driver since 2014, he made his Rangeland Derby debut at the Calgary Stampede in 2025, his first full season on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association circuit. Before that, was with the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association. . . . Co-owner of Tawaw Cabins, a resort in Waterhen Lake, Sask. Ron Delorme Born in North Battleford and raised in Cochin. Ron, 70, is Métis. . . . Runs hockey camps and mentors Indigenous youngsters. . . . Played in the NHL with the Colorado Rockies and Vancouver Canucks, and in the WHA with the Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics. . . . Has been scouting for the Canucks since 1986 after a left knee injury suffered in 1984-85 ended his playing career. . . . Was named the Canucks’ chief amateur scout in 2000. Left that position in 2022 but stayed on as an amateur scout. . . . An original on the WCPHS Foundation’s board of directors. . . . Inducted into the Foundation’s Wall of Honour in 2025. . . . In the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame (player, 2018) and B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame (builder, 2019). “(Being inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame) was very emotional for me. (Fred Sasakamoose) drove from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. I was honoured with a Star Blanket, and they played the traditional drum song. He stood beside me. I looked to my left side and thought about my Dad, because he had passed on. I looked to my right, there was Freddie Sasakamoose. It made me emotional. Here’s my hero beside me, honouring me to be there. That I will never forget.” (Source: Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet) From Calgary, Brent, 47, is a member of Tsuut’ina Nation and served for almost 20 years as a councillor. . . . Awarded the Canadian version of the 2025 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award that honours individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities, cultures or society through hockey. . . . Played two seasons (1997-99) with the Calgary Hitmen, helping them to the 1999 WHL championship. Retired after two seasons in the ECHL. . . . Was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about five years ago, after which he and his wife, Sonya, founded the DH Ranch which is located on the Tsuut’ina Nation. The ranch has a diversity program that “promotes greater respect, understanding, and appreciation for fellow hockey players regardless of race, ethnicity, or ability,” according to NHL.com. . . . Horses play a huge part in “teaching confidence, communication and teamwork. Our program is built around those aspects,” Brent has said. . . . Works with the NHL’s Calgary Flames on their Indigenous Celebration games. . . . Also is a two-time world champion steer wrestler.
A resident of London, Ont., she is the granddaughter of Hall-of-Famer George Armstrong, the legendary former captain of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. . . . One uncle, Dale McCourt, played in the NHL, while another, the late Dan McCourt, was an on-ice official for 25 years. . . . Kalley, 34, is Algonquin with roots in the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Quebec. . . . Spent four seasons (2010-13, 2014-15) playing for Harvard’s women’s team. Was team captain in her senior season as the Crimson finished as the Frozen Four runner-up. . . . Sat out 2013-14 after receiving concussion late in previous season. . . . Was 2023 inductee into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame. . . . Founder/owner of Armstrong Hockey, providing accessible hockey development and mentorship to Indigenous youth across Ontario.

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 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 amplifies the energy and 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.”

We’re thrilled to announce that Boss Lubricants, our generous Ticket Sponsor, is offering an exclusive limited-time discount on both single tickets and table purchases! Act fast – you don’t want to miss out on this offer

Banquet tickets — $150 each or $1,100 per table of eight — are available at the tickets.hockeyscoutsfoundation.com.

For further info, contact:

Garth Malarchuk, WCPHSF chairman of the board
gmalarchuk@torontomapleleafs.com

Jennifer Santbergen, Banquet Coordinator
jennifer@creativeconceptsevents.ca

Mark Stiles, Director of Donation and Stakeholder Relations
mstiles@m3sports.net

Thank you to our event sponsors!