[ad_1]
Breadcrumb Trail Links
Ted Hampson went a lot of places. Now his peers are recognizing his years of work
Get the latest from Patrick Johnston straight to your inbox
Published Jul 25, 2024 • 3 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Ted Hampson in 2004 when he scouted for the St. Louis Blues Photo by Sara D. Davis /Getty Images
Article content
The key to getting ahead in life in almost all instances is to treat people right.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
- Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
- The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
- Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
- The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
A rarer one — once you’re well-established in your career — is to go out of your way to help people who are on their way up.
This would seem to be the way that long-time NHL scout Ted Hampson went about his work.
Hampson, who worked as an amateur scout for the Vancouver Canucks over the final decade of his career, is set to be honoured next week by the fledgling Western Canadian Professional Scouts’ Foundation.
At the group’s second annual dinner next Wednesday in Okotoks, Alberta, Hampson will be added to the WCPSF’s Wall of Honour.
Born in Toigo, Sask., the 87-year-old Hampson played professionally in the NHL, WHA and minors until he was 44. His final three seasons was as a player-coach with the Central Hockey League’s Oklahoma City Stars.
Canucks Report
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
After leaving the Stars in 1981, he began a two-year stint with the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau, then was hired by the St. Louis Blues to head up their amateur scouting department. He stayed with the Blues until 2004.
In 2006, he began a two-year stint with the Colorado Avalanche as their head amateur scout.
In 2012, after four years out of the NHL, he was back in, when the Vancouver Canucks added him to the amateur scouting roster. Based in Minnesota, Hampson scouted the USHL and NCAA.
Then-Minnesota Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau holds a jersey from the Minnesota Fighting Saints as he poses with teammates from the 1976-76 WHA hockey team in St. Paul, Minn. From left, Ted Hampson, Pat Westrum and right, Henry Boucha. Photo by Jim Mone /The Associated Press
It was Hampson who pushed hardest for Brock Boeser to be the Canucks’ first-round pick in 2015.
But to be a successful scout, hockey consultant Shane Malloy says, you must be more than just about your handful of successes. Most scouts miss on most of their recruits. That’s a simple truth.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“The biggest thing in scouting is not to hit the home runs. It’s not to step on the landmines,” Malloy said. And in Hampson’s case, this is a lesson he learned very well. He also learned to share his lessons with others, especially younger scouts making their way into the business.
“The great thing about Ted is he has mentored these people to make them better scouts and better people,” Malloy added.
“You don’t last the years that Ted has without doing a good job. But also, it’s helping the younger guys along. Scouts like Ted, they’ve been great mentors to the younger generation. In scouting, there’s no manual, there’s no book, there’s no school. You have to be mentored by the older scouts. If it wasn’t for those guys, I would not have the career I currently have.”
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Malloy never worked directly with Hampson, but knows him well by reputation.
“You talk to people out west, Ted has been their mentor. He’s been the rock that has helped that group along. He has great wisdom. He’s perfectly comfortable talking about his mistakes,” Malloy said.
Long-time hockey agent Ben Hankinson has seen Hampson at work first hand.
“Great human,” he replied when told that Hampson was being honoured next week.
Malloy said that honouring Hampson in this way, by his peers, is the most important honour that can be bestowed. It’s why veteran scouts Ross Mahoney — who got his scouting start with the Canucks before moving to the Washington Capitals — and Garth Malarchuk started the foundation two years ago.
Advertisement 6
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“It’s a way to say as a collective group, ‘Thank you for your contributions to the game’,” explained Malloy, who is helping promote the foundation’s work.
“The foundation is about honouring the past, contributing to the community through charity and mentoring. It’s no different than when the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association has someone honoured in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“They deserve to be honoured by their peers. It’s a different type of honour when they’re honoured by their peers.”
pjohnston@postmedia.com
Recommended from Editorial
-
Canucks prospect Tom Willander injured, misses World Junior showcase
-
The Rick Tocchet phone call that sold Daniel Sprong on the Canucks
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
[ad_2]
Source link
Fitnessnacks – #Canucks #scout #Brock #Boeser #set #Hall #Fame #honour
Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-scout-brock-boeser-hall-fame-honour