Longtime Oil Kings scout Bob McGill passes

The Edmonton Oil Kings are saddened to announce the passing of longtime scout Bob McGill.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McGill family,” said Oil Kings general manager Randy Hansch. “Bob had a huge impact on our program and the hockey world. We lost a special man but we all are very fortunate to have known Bob ‘Gilly’ McGill as he had a big influence on many of our lives.”

McGill had 26 years of scouting in the Western Hockey League starting with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and ending with the Oil Kings.

McGill joined Edmonton as a scout a year before their inaugural season and he remained with the Oil Kings up until the 2014-15 season before retiring from the game. He went out on a high note as the Oil Kings won the WHL Championship and the Memorial Cup in the 2013-14 season. He also won a Memorial Cup with the Kelowna Rockets in 2004.

McGill received the WHL’s Distinguished Service Award for the 2015-16 season, which 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.

Bob McGill was 71 years old.