Bob Crocker to receive Lester Patrick Trophy

Los Angeles Kings scout Bob Crocker has been named as a 2015 recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy, the NHL announced today. Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs is also a recipient for the trophy, which is presented by the league for “outstanding service to hockey in the United States.”

Crocker, who has scouted with the Kings since the beginning of the 2005-06 season, is the club’s Amateur Scout – Northeastern United States. His tenure in hockey dates back to 1954-55, when he played for Boston University. A 2006 Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Crocker, nicknamed the “dean” of New England hockey scouts, scouted for the New York Rangers from 1993-05, before which he served as the assistant general manager for the Hartford Whalers from 1980-92. He has won three Stanley Cups – two with Los Angeles and one with New York – in addition to the Calder Cup and two NCAA titles with Boston University, where he served as freshman coach and was a top recruiter.

Said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in a statement, “By honoring Jeremy Jacobs and Bob Crocker, the Lester Patrick Award selection committee has recognized the dedication and drive of two important contributors to hockey in the United States. Jeremy Jacobs – as owner for 41 years of the NHL’s first U.S.-based team and long-serving Chairman of our Board of Governors – has provided unparalleled vision, innovation and inspiration to the advancement of hockey and the NHL. As a coach, a scout and a hockey executive, Bob Crocker has devoted decades to the development of young American players. Congratulations to both on this long overdue recognition.”

Both Crocker and Jacobs will be honored during the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Thursday, December 17 in Boston. Former King Mathieu Schneider will also be among the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductees at the event.

Among the Kings and Kings-affiliated figures to have previously been awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy are Bob Pulford (2011), Cammi Granato (2007), Marcel Dionne (2006), Wayne Gretzky (1994) and Terry Sawchuk (1971).

A description of the Lester Patrick Trophy, from NHL.com:
The Lester Patrick Trophy is an annual award presented for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Eligible recipients are players, officials, coaches, executives, and referees. The winner is selected by an award committee consisting of the President of the NHL, an NHL Governor, a representative of the New York Rangers, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Builder’s section, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Player’s section, a member of the U. S. Hockey Hall of Fame, a member of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association and a member of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. Except for the League President, each member is rotated annually. The winner(s) receive a miniature of the trophy.

The Patrick Trophy was presented by the New York Rangers in 1966 to honor the late Lester Patrick. Patrick was a longtime general manager and coach of the Rangers, whose teams finished out of the playoffs only once in his first 16 years with the club.