Wren Blair discovered Bobby Orr

On my beautiful fall walk, I came across the historic 12 Mile Lake United Church, founded in 1890, nestled between Minden and Carnarvon in Haliburton, Ontario.

Just behind this charming church rests the man who discovered one of the greatest hockey players of all time: Wren “The Bird” Blair.

Wren was born about an hour south in Lindsay, Ontario—the same hometown as #6, Toronto Maple Leaf legend Ron Ellis.

Before finding Bobby Orr, Wren had already left his mark on the game. He was the founder, coach, and general manager of the Senior A Whitby Dunlops, a powerhouse team that dominated minor and international hockey for over a decade. That roster included players like Toronto’s Sid Smith and Boston Bruins great Harry Sinden.

But it was over 60 years ago, as a scout for the Boston Bruins, that Wren Blair made his most iconic discovery—a 14-year-old phenom from Parry Sound named Bobby Orr. “The Bird” convinced Bobby and his family to sign with the Bruins-sponsored Oshawa Generals… and the rest, as they say, is history.

Wren’s hockey journey didn’t stop there. He became the first coach and GM of the 1967 expansion Minnesota North Stars, and in 1973, he and several partners purchased the then-bankrupt Pittsburgh Penguins for just $3.8 million. (Today, Forbes estimates the team’s value at around $900 million.)

Wren Blair also brought junior hockey to Saginaw and Kingston, owning the Kingston Frontenacs and bringing his relentless energy and love for the game wherever he went.

A one-of-a-kind hockey man, Wren Blair passed away in Oshawa on January 2, 2013, at the age of 87.

1926-2013