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Builder
Barry Trapp
Born in Balcarres, Barry Trapp dedicated over six decades to hockey as a coach, scout, and executive, shaping the game at all levels. His deep understanding of talent and team-building earned him induction into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in the builder category.
Before his coaching and scouting career, Trapp was a player in various amateur and minor pro leagues. He played with the 1969-70 Yorkton Terriers senior hockey team, which won a provincial championship and league title. In 2001, that team was inducted into the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame.
Trapp’s coaching career saw early success when he and fellow SHHOF Inductee Bill Liskowich led the Regina Pats Canadians to their very first national title at the 1983 Air Canada Cup, now known as the TELUS Cup. Trapp later served as a Western Hockey League assistant coach and assistant general manager for the Regina Pats from 1981 to 1985, followed by a season as head coach and general manager of the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Trapp flourished as a scout, spending a decade with NHL Central Scouting, the last five years as its chief scout. In his role, he identified and evaluated top talent for NHL clubs, earning a reputation as one of the premier scouts in the game.
In 1996, he became Hockey Canada’s director of scouting, where he was responsible for player evaluation and selection for the national Junior team, the national men's Under-18 team, and the Under-17 program. His impact was immediate, playing a pivotal role in assembling the 1997 national Junior team that captured Canada’s last gold medal of the 20th century at the World Junior Championship in Geneva. During his tenure, he played a key role in assembling rosters that won one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals at the World Junior Championship. His efforts also contributed to six consecutive gold medals for Canada’s national men’s Under-18 team from 1997-2002.
In 2002, Trapp took his knowledge to the NHL where he took over as director of amateur scouting for the Toronto Maple Leafs, holding the role for four seasons. He also worked with the Phoenix Coyotes before returning to the Regina Pats as a scout, continuing even in a supporting role until his retirement.
Trapp’s ability to identify and develop talent left a lasting impact on the game. His tireless work ethic and passion for hockey shaped countless careers and contributed to Canada’s dominance on the international stage.