Garnet Bailey
Garnet Edward "Ace" Bailey (June 13, 1948 to September 11, 2001) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and scout who won both the Memorial Cup and the Stanley Cup during his career. Born in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, he played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League as a left winger, primarily for the Boston Bruins, with whom he won championships in 1970 and 1972. After his playing career, he became a respected scout, earning five more Stanley Cup rings with the Edmonton Oilers before serving as director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Kings. Bailey's life was tragically cut short when he was killed aboard United Airlines Flight 175 during the September 11 attacks, a loss that deeply affected the hockey community.
Early Life and Junior Career
Garnet Edward Bailey was born on June 13, 1948, in the border city of Lloydminster, which straddles the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. He developed his hockey skills in Western Canada before joining the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League. Bailey's junior career culminated in a Memorial Cup championship with the Oil Kings in 1966, establishing him as a promising young talent. His offensive prowess was evident during the 1966-67 season when he recorded 93 points, catching the attention of NHL scouts. This performance led to his selection by the Boston Bruins in the 1966 amateur draft, marking the beginning of his professional journey. The nickname Ace, which he used throughout his career, was acquired during his youth, though he was not related to Hockey Hall of Famer Irvine Ace Bailey.
Professional Playing Career
Bailey began his professional career in the Boston Bruins organization, spending his first two seasons primarily with minor league affiliates to develop his game. During the 1968-69 season with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, he demonstrated his playmaking ability by leading the AHL in playoff assists with 10, helping the Bears win the Calder Cup. He also made eight appearances for the Boston Bruins that season, including a memorable game on March 16, 1969, where he scored a hat trick and added an assist in an 11-3 victory. The following season, Bailey earned a regular spot with the Bruins, playing 58 games for the 1969-70 team that won the Stanley Cup. A broken ankle suffered on March 7, 1970, however, prevented him from appearing in the playoffs, and due to engraving limits at the time, his name was not placed on the trophy for that championship.
He returned to full health and played a key role in the Bruins' 1972 Stanley Cup victory. During the 1971-72 season, Bailey appeared in 73 games and contributed during the postseason. In Game 1 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers, he broke a 5-5 tie with the game-winning goal at 17:44 of the third period, securing a crucial victory for Boston. His name was engraved on the Stanley Cup for this championship. His tenure with the Bruins ended when he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for the 1972-73 season. After two seasons in Detroit, he was dealt to the St. Louis Blues.
Bailey spent his final four NHL seasons with the Washington Capitals, where he posted his best statistical year during the 1974-75 season split between St. Louis and Washington, scoring 19 goals and 39 assists for 58 points. Known as a fearless, team-first player who was tough in the corners, he was not a flashy scorer but a reliable contributor. After his time in Washington, he played one season in the World Hockey Association before moving to the Central Hockey League. He served as a player-assistant coach for the Houston Apollos in 1979-80 and was named head coach of the Wichita Thunder for the 1980-81 season, during which he also played his final professional game.
Scouting Career and Stanley Cup Success
Following his retirement from playing, Bailey moved into a scouting career, where he found considerable success. He was named a professional scout for the Edmonton Oilers, a position he held until the 1993-94 season. During his time with the Oilers, the team was a dynasty, and Bailey earned five Stanley Cup rings as a scout for the championship teams in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990. His name was engraved on the trophy a second time alongside the 1989-90 Oilers team. In 1994, he joined the Los Angeles Kings as their director of pro scouting, a role he held until his death. Former Kings general manager Dave Taylor noted that Bailey had a particular gift for evaluating the intangible qualities a player could bring to a team, a skill highly valued in his profession.
Personal Life
Bailey was married to his wife, Katherine, and together they had a son named Todd. The family resided in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Away from the rink, Bailey was known to enjoy cooking, a hobby that provided a contrast to his rugged on-ice persona. He maintained connections across the hockey world through his extensive travels as a scout, building a reputation as a well-liked and respected figure within the sport.
Death on September 11, 2001
On September 11, 2001, Garnet Bailey was killed at the age of 53 while aboard United Airlines Flight 175. The flight, travelling from Boston to Los Angeles, was hijacked by terrorists and deliberately crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Bailey was travelling with amateur scout Mark Bavis after the pair had been in Manchester, New Hampshire, visiting the Los Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. Airphone records indicate that Bailey attempted to call his wife four times during the hijacking. Neither his remains nor those of Mark Bavis were ever recovered. His death was a profound loss to his family, friends, and the entire hockey community.
Honours and Memorials
In the wake of his death, numerous tributes were established to honour Bailey's memory. His family founded the Ace Bailey Children's Foundation, which raises funds to benefit hospitalized children, infants, and their families. The Los Angeles Kings named their new mascot Bailey in his honour and wore special AM patches on their jerseys during the 2001-02 season to honour both Bailey and Mark Bavis. At the National September 11 Memorial in New York City, Bailey and Bavis are memorialized at the South Pool on Panel S-3. In a hockey tradition, on October 14, 2012, the Kings brought the Stanley Cup they had just won to the memorial and placed it on the panels bearing their names so the families could have their day with the trophy. The Boston-based band Dropkick Murphys mentioned Bailey and Bavis in their song Your Spirit's Alive, and actor Denis Leary wore a Bailey memorial T-shirt in two episodes of the television series Rescue Me. In 2023, he was posthumously named one of the top 100 Boston Bruins players of all time.
Questions about Garnet Bailey
Which NHL teams did Garnet Bailey play for?
Garnet Bailey played for four teams during his 11-season NHL career. He began with the Boston Bruins, where he spent five seasons and won two Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972. He was then traded to the Detroit Red Wings, where he played for two seasons. Following his time in Detroit, he was dealt to the St. Louis Blues before finishing his NHL career with a four-season stint with the Washington Capitals. After his NHL career, he also played one season in the World Hockey Association before concluding his playing days in the Central Hockey League.
How many Stanley Cup rings did Garnet Bailey earn?
Garnet Bailey earned a total of seven Stanley Cup rings throughout his hockey career. He won two as a player with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972. He then earned five more as a scout for the Edmonton Oilers during their dynasty years, contributing to championships in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990. Despite being part of the 1970 Bruins team, his name was not engraved on the Cup that year due to a broken ankle that kept him out of the playoffs and the engraving limits of the time. His name is on the trophy for the 1972 Bruins and the 1990 Oilers.
How is Garnet Bailey remembered in hockey?
Garnet Bailey is remembered as a tough, team-first player and a highly respected scout whose life was tragically cut short. On the ice, he was known as a fearless winger who excelled in the corners. Off the ice, his scouting acumen helped build championship teams in Edmonton. His memory is honoured through the Ace Bailey Children's Foundation, the Los Angeles Kings' mascot named Bailey, and his inclusion on the Boston Bruins' list of top 100 players in 2023. The hockey community also remembers him through tributes at the National September 11 Memorial and in popular culture, such as in songs and television shows.
What happened to Garnet Bailey on September 11, 2001?
On September 11, 2001, Garnet Bailey was a passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 175, travelling from Boston to Los Angeles for his work with the Los Angeles Kings. The flight was hijacked by terrorists and deliberately crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Bailey, who was 53, was travelling with fellow scout Mark Bavis after they had been scouting the Kings' AHL affiliate in Manchester, New Hampshire. Records show he attempted to call his wife four times during the hijacking. Neither his remains nor those of Mark Bavis were recovered.
What is the Ace Bailey Children's Foundation?
The Ace Bailey Children's Foundation is a charitable organization founded by Garnet Bailey's family in his memory following his death in 2001. The foundation's mission is to raise funds to benefit hospitalized children, infants, and their families. It serves as a lasting legacy to Bailey's character and his connection to the community, channelling the hockey world's support into positive outcomes for children facing medical challenges. The foundation continues to operate, honouring his name by providing support and resources to those in need.
Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.
