Mike McCann

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Mike McCann (born May 27, 1937) is a well known ice hockey personality in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

He is currently working as an Ontario-based talent scout for the Montreal Canadiens NHL team.

He also worked for 25 years with the Barrie Colts team of the Ontario Hockey League. During his tenure with the Colts, he filled many roles including:

Area Scout ( for an explanation of the scouting role, see Scout (sports) )
Head Scout
General Manager
Director of Player Personnel

On May 16, 2006 the Barrie Colts announced Mike McCann's resignation.
In a press release, the team's majority owner Howie Campbell was quoted as saying, "Mike has been instrumental in identifying and recruiting the type of talent that has made the team competitive year in and year out". ^[1]

Mike McCann has also been inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.

[edit] Mike McCann's talent scouting

McCann is likely best known for his ability to recognize and develop talented hockey players. A test of his abilities came when coach Bert Templeton left the team in 1999 to work for the Sudbury Wolves. All but three of the Barrie Colts' talent scouts also left for Greater Sudbury. At that time, Mike McCann was promoted to Head Scout and coordinated the Colts through the 1999 OHL talent draft. In that draft, McCann selected:

Eric Reitz
Aaron Power
Blaine Down

and other players who ensured the future success of the team. McCann was also able to broker a deal to acquire Jeremy Swanson, a player that he credits for contributing significantly to the team's success. With these players in the roster, the Barrie Colts won the Bobby Orr Trophy in 2000 and 2002. During Mike McCann's time with the team, the Colts made it into the OHL playoffs every single year. ^[2]