Toronto Maple Leafs add Dale Derkatch to amateur scouting staff

According to Peak Hockey Saskatchewan, the Maple Leafs have hired Dale Derkatch as an amateur scout.

Congrats to Peak's Dale Derkatch on joining the scouting staff of the Toronto Maple Leafs!!! @MapleLeafs #BigLeagues

— Peak 2•0 Hockey & Fitness 🏒 (@PeakHockeySask) August 31, 2015

Derkatch, a former draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers who spent most of his pro playing career in Europe, has prior NHL scouting experience, having worked for the Washington Capitals as an amateur scout from 1998 to 2004. In 2004, Derkatch accepted the position of Director of Hockey Development at Notre Dame College in Saskatchewan.

I
He had a brief foray as a WHL head coach with the Regina Pats — where he played in his junior career — but lasted only one season (2008-09). He has been the director of player personnel for the Prince Albert Raiders since 2009-10. Most notable among the Raiders’ NHL draftees since Derkatch took over their scouting and drafting: Josh Morrissey, a first round selection in the WHL bantam draft in 2010, and Leon Draisatl, a first round pick in the 2012 CHL Import Draft. Brendan Guhle, a third overall selection in the 2012 WHL bantam draft, was drafted in the second round by the Buffalo Sabres in 2015.

Said Raiders GM Bruno Campese, upon extending Derkatch’s contract in 2013:

“We are pleased to have Dale remain with the organization,” said Raiders General Manager Bruno Campese. “Dale and our scouting staff have done a very good job with the WHL Bantam Draft and have made significant progress with our protected list.”

Derkatch was entering the final year of his contract with the Raiders in 2015-16.

Mark Hunter is piecing together his amateur scouting staff in time for the new hockey season after the big culling in the Spring time. The Leafs reportedly hired Robert Nordmark as a European scout on August 19. One imagines Derkatch’s focus will be on the prospects in the WHL and Western Canada, where he has been working his whole post-playing career.