Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Scouting director EJ McGuire dies at age 58 after battle with cancer

ejmcguire

James O’Brien

Today is a sad day for the hockey world, as Edward John “EJ” McGuire died today in Toronto due to complications from cancer. McGuire was 58 years old and is survived by his wife Terry and his two daughters, Jacqueline and Erin.

McGuire has been the Director of the NHL’s Central Scouting Department since 2005, heading the most relied-upon source of draft information in a sport that requires extensive international research. Of course, he will be missed for far more personal reasons than his presence as a go-to guy regarding draft prospects, though.

The NHL’s press release notes that McGuire was a head coach at the collegiate, junior and AHL levels along with being an assistant coach for three different NHL teams and a scout for two.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell provided statements about a man who was well-respected in hockey circles.

“The National Hockey League was privileged to benefit from EJ’s expertise and enthusiasm, both of which were limitless,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “EJ loved scouting games and loved the internal debates over the strengths and weaknesses of Entry Draft prospects. The way he ran Central Scouting made it vitally important to every one of our Clubs.

“The NHL family has suffered a tremendous loss. As we celebrate EJ’s contributions and mourn his passing, we send our condolences -- and our gratitude -- to EJ’s family and friends.”

(snip)

“EJ was a colleague, a friend and a mentor who influenced and enriched the hockey lives of thousands of players, coaches, parents and administrators in more than 30 years in the game,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. “As a coach, he combined attention to detail with innovation to teach the game to players at all levels -- from teenage college and junior players to the elite professionals in the NHL. As the NHL’s Vice President of Central Scouting and a member of the Hockey Operations Department, he brought wisdom, guidance and unparalleled commitment to the game to advance it on so many levels.

“EJ had two loves in life: His love of family and his passion for hockey,” Campbell said. “The hockey world extends its deepest sympathies to his wife, Terry, and daughters Jacqueline and Erin.”

(Photo via NHL.com.)