Former Blazers GM Stu McGregor taking questions from the media at the 2011 NHL Draft during his time as head scout for the Edmonton Oilers/via Oilers
A long time Kamloops Blazers executive and scout has been honoured for his 40 years in hockey.
Stu MacGregor has been inducted into the Western Canada Pro Hockey Scouts Foundation Wall of Fame.
The ceremony was held in Okotoks, AB earlier this week.
“It kind of makes you feel good, that you accomplished a few things in your career,” said MacGregor while speaking with Radio NL Sports on his way back to Kamloops from the event on Tuesday. “They did a great job with the ceremony making us all feel really good.”
MacGregor – originally from Edmonton – started his hockey journey as a scout for the Kamloops Junior Oilers in 1982.
He later went on to work for the Blazers as Director of Player Personnel and Assistant General Manager under the Bob Brown era in the 90’s.
“That’s where it all started for me. The Blazers are very special to me, and Kamloops is my home,” noted McGregor, who has become a staple figure in the Kamloops hockey world.
“I was able to move onto the NHL and work for a couple of teams. Now, it’s sort of semi-retirement,” MacGregor added.
Notification of Former Kamloops Blazers executive Stu McGregor being honored by the Western Canada Pro Hockey Scouts Foundation at their 2nd annual gala in Okotoks, Alberta Tuesday/via WCPHSF
As part of his career path, McGregor would leave Kamloops to join the Oilers organization, later working his way up to the Head Scout during his tenure from 2000 to 2015.
McGregor would eventually find his way back to Kamloops, returning to the Blazers to be the club’s General Manager from 2015-2018 to try to stabilize the hockey club at the time.
He would later take on a part time roll with the Dallas Stars before shifting back into the WHL — scouting part-time for both the Victoria Royals and Moose Jaw Warriors.
Did he think a part-time scouting roll in 1982 with the Kamloops Junior Oilers would lead to all of this?
“(Laughs) not at all, not at all. It was a part-time gig and was able to go to the rink and try to find a player or two for the organization. It just sort of grew from there.”
MacGregor was one of 29 scouts honoured by the Foundation in Okotoks in an event emceed by longtime NHL broadcaster Dennis Beyak.
It was the 2nd annual induction ceremony.
Despite being given the scouting equivalent of a lifetime achievement award, the 68-year old MacGregor says he still has a passion for the craft.
“I enjoy going to the rink, I enjoy the people and always love the challenge of trying to find that diamond in the rough.”
