Denis Ball

(June 24, 1926 — April 22, 2003)

A native of Winnipeg, he split 34 years between the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. . . . Started part-time with the Rangers in 1949 and was hired on a full-time basis in 1953. The Rangers promoted him from scout to assistant general manager and farm director in 1969. . . . Signed with the Blues as general manager and vice-president of hockey operations in 1975. Then was assistant GM and VP of hockey ops from 1976-83. Retired later in 1983 as assistant to the president. . . . Founded and owned the junior Winnipeg Rangers for 11 years before selling to Ben Hatskin in 1966. The Rangers won the MJHL title in 1961 and 1966. . . . Inducted in Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame (builder) in 1990. . . . As his obituary noted: “Denis knew everyone in hockey and his friends were legion.”