George Wood

(April 2, 1937 — July 31, 2003)

Born in Winnipeg, he was hired as western scout by the Vancouver Canucks prior to 1974-75 and was there for 11 seasons. . . . Later split three seasons between the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals. . . . A goaltender in his playing days, he saw action in the EHL, EPHL, AHL, WHL and IHL. . . . Won Memorial Cup with the Flin Flon Bombers (1956-57). Is immortalized as part of mural on north wall of Flin Flon’s Whitney Forum. . . . Won AHL championship with the 1960-61 Springfield Indians. . . . While scouting for the Canucks, he sometimes went on the ice during practices and worked with the goaltenders. Glen Hanlon, for one, credited Wood with helping him improve his game. . . . Also was an excellent baseball player (first base) and was scouted by the New York Yankees. But size — he was 5-8 — was an issue.