McGill Receives WHL Distinguished Service Award

Edmonton, AB – WHL Commissioner Ron Robison announced today, on behalf of the WHL Board of Governors, that Bob McGill has been named a recipient of the WHL Distinguished Service Award for the 2015-16 season.

McGill was honoured by WHL Commissioner Ron Robison in Edmonton tonight in a special ceremony prior to the Edmonton Oil Kings’ game against the Red Deer Rebels.

Born in Camrose, AB, McGill was a scout in the WHL for over 26 years and began his scouting career in 1988 with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In 1991 he joined the Medicine Hat Tigers as the Club’s Head Scout for three seasons. After taking two years off he joined the Kelowna Rockets where he remained for 10 years. During that time the Rockets were crowned WHL Champions twice and earned three straight Memorial Cup appearances which included a win in 2004.

After a brief stint with the Vancouver Giants, McGill returned home to join the Oil Kings in 2007-08 for their inaugural season. He remained with the Oil Kings up until 2014 before retiring from the game. He retired on a high note as the Oil Kings won the WHL Championship and the Memorial Cup that season.

“Bob has spent his entire WHL scouting career working tirelessly behind the scenes evaluating prospects in the Western Canada minor hockey system,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Bob has also played a key role in assembling teams which have captured WHL and Memorial Cup championships in both Kelowna and Edmonton and is most deserving of this prestigious award.”

“Congratulations to Bob from the entire Edmonton Oil Kings organization,” said Oil Kings General Manager Randy Hansch. “He is a very passionate person about the game of hockey and the WHL. We are really fortunate he has been able to be a part of our group. He has touched the organization in many ways and we are all better for it.”

McGill also suited up for the Oil Kings as a player in 1965 before beginning a 30-year career with the Edmonton Fire Department in 1969. Now retired, Bob and his wife Lynda currently reside in Sherwood Park, AB.

The WHL Distinguished Service Award, which was introduced by the WHL in 2004, is presented annually to individuals who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of franchises and in doing so have made an extraordinary contribution at the Club or League level over an extended period of time. The WHL will present Distinguished Service Awards annually to an individual from both the Western and Eastern Conferences.

Previous recipients of the WHL Distinguished Service Award:

Ralph Zander (Calgary Hitmen – Off-Ice Official); Terry Bonner (Vancouver Giants – Scouting Director); Dr. Mary Smith (Spokane Chiefs – Team Dentist); Dennis Coates (Kamloops Blazers – Volunteer Board Member); Judy Seher (Red Deer Rebels – Billet Coordinator); Balzer, Frank, Tony & John Lanz (Medicine Hat Tigers – Off-Ice Officials); Rose Mary Hartney (Moose Jaw Warriors – Education Advisor); Greg ‘Spike’ Wallace (Kamloops Blazers – Community & Sponsorship Coordinator); Nella Rounsville (Kootenay Ice – Education Advisor); Lorne Frey (Kelowna Rockets – Asst GM/Head Scout); Graham Tuer (Saskatchewan Hockey Association – Volunteer); Jann Boss (Portland Winterhawks – Administration); Ruth “Grams” Pollock (Prince Albert Raiders – Billet Coordinator); Dr. Ian Hill (Regina Pats – Team Doctor); Dr. Alfred Blue (Seattle Thunderbirds – Team Doctor); Doris Rubel (Kamloops Blazers – Billet Coordinator); Colleen MacBean (Swift Current Broncos – Education Advisor); and Bob Ridley (Medicine Hat Tigers – Play-By-Play Announcer).