Awards and Honourariums
The Ace Award
The Ace Award, named in honour of Garnet 'Ace' Bailey, is a prestigious accolade bestowed upon individuals affiliated with the NHL scouting profession to recognize their outstanding contributions and efforts throughout their years of service. Bailey’s passing on Sept. 11, 2001, left a profound void throughout the scouting fraternity, but his legacy as a dedicated and committed scout lives on through this award and serves as a testament to his remarkable contributions towards the game of hockey.
2025 Recipients
Mike Penny
Born in Montreal, he began his scouting career by working with the NHL’s New York Rangers and their junior affiliate, the Kitchener Rangers (1969-75). . . . He then worked as Kitchener’s general manager for five seasons, before joining the Vancouver Canucks’ scouting staff in 1980. While there, he worked as a scout, director of amateur scouting and assistant GM. . . . The Toronto Maple Leafs signed him as director of player personnel in 2000. At various times he has been director of player personnel, minor league GM and governor, assistant GM, director of pro scouting and pro scout with Toronto. . . . Continues there in the role of pro scout. The 2023-24 season was his 54th in the NHL. . . . In one of hockey’s great stories, he was responsible for Pavel Bure being drafted by the Canucks in 1989.
Barry Fraser
February 10, 1940 - December 4, 2022
From Kirkland Lake, Ont., he spent 22 seasons scouting for the Edmonton Oilers. . . . When knee injuries brought a premature end to his playing career, he turned to scouting in order to stay involved in the game. . . . The Oilers signed him as their director of scouting in 1978, prior to their final season in the WHA, after he had spent two seasons (1976-78) working for the Houston Aeros. . . . Was part of five Stanley Cup championships with the Oilers — 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990. . . . Retired from the Oilers in 2000. . . . A scout to the end, on the night before he died, Fraser watched on TV, while making notes, as the Oilers beat the visiting Montreal Canadiens, 5-3.
Dennis Beyak
Gregg Drinnan
Dean Malkoc
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.
Jesse Wallin
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.”
Two Glens' Honourarium
The “Two Glens’ Honourarium” highlights the legacies of Glen Cochrane and Glen Dirk, two respected members of the scouting community who passed away from cancer in early 2024. Known for their competitive spirits in sports and scouting, they were celebrated for their camaraderie, humour and dedication. In their honour, the WCPHS Foundation has established an annual honourarium through which it will provide financial support to individuals or institutions who require assistance with medical and/or mental health challenges. This initiative reflects the values and goodwill embodied by Cochrane and Dirk.
Bob Ridley "Golden Microphone" Honourarium
In honour of Bob Ridley, the retired and legendary play-by-play voice of the Medicine Hat Tigers and a valued friend to the scouting community, the WCPHS Foundation has established the Bob Ridley “Golden Microphone” Honorarium. This tribute will recognize a member of the media or broadcasting profession for their dedicated years of service at the major junior level. A donation will be made on their behalf to an individual or charity of their choosing. This accolade underscores Ridley’s enduring legacy and commitment to the sport of hockey and his contributions towards the scouting process at the NHL level.
Dean (Scooter) Vrooman
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.”