Featured Alumni – Ron Delorme

by Greg Douglas

Ron Delorme has been part of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise for 40 of its 50-year history. Being named as the latest recipient of the Jake Milford Award is a fitting tribute to his years of “service and dedication to hockey In British Columbia”.

Delorme, a native of North Battleford, Saskatchewan who grew up in the village of Cochin, is a proud Cree who relishes the fact he is known as ‘Chief’ to his many friends and followers throughout hockey.  

He was claimed in the NHL waiver draft from the Colorado Rockies by Vancouver general manager Jake Milford in October 1981 and has been a member of the Canucks’ family ever since. A feisty right-winger, Ron played four seasons with Vancouver and appeared in 210 games.  He was part of the Milford-led Canucks ‘Cinderella’ team under coach Roger Neilson that went to the 1982 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Islanders, 

Delorme’s playing career came to an end 31 games into the 1984-85 season when he suffered extensive damage to his left knee. Upon his retirement at the start of the 1985-86 season, Ron became an amateur scout with the Canucks and was named Chief Amateur Scout in 2000.  

Forever a role model for aspiring indigenous hockey players and athletes, Delorme is a tireless advocate for First Nations youth. To this day, ‘Chief’ willingly visits reservations and attends events in his spare time, encouraging native youth to follow their dreams as he did as a youngster growing up in Saskatchewan 

Delorme was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame (2019) and the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame (2018).

We salute Ron, his wife Joan, son Blair and daughter Leah for his being named this year’s winner of the prestigious Jake Milford Award.