Home is where the heart is.
The saying has been in use since ancient times. It first appeared in the J. T. Bickford novel, ‘Scandal’ in 1857.
The phrase means no matter who you are with or where you are in the world, your home always has the deepest affection and emotional pull.
For Kelowna Rockets Senior Advisor Lorne Frey, home is the Okanagan.
When the pandemic first started and hockey was put on hold, Frey, who has lived in Kelowna since the early 90s before the team even arrived from Tacoma, Washington in 1995, decided to move back to the prairies to be closer to family.
Regarded as one of the best evaluators of young hockey talent, he and his wife, Jan, loaded up their belongings and headed back to Swift Current, Saskatchewan. But after a short two-year hiatus, Frey is back in Kelowna, where he belongs.
“My wife and I gave it a go for two and a half years”, Frey told RocketFAN. “I guess after last winter, we decided we better move back.”
Frey is no stranger to Swift Current. He was an assistant coach for the Broncos for five seasons, including helping the team win a Memorial Cup in 1989.
“We’ve always liked it here (Kelowna). It has always been our home. It has been our home for over 30 years. We gave it a go out there, but we decided to come back and are very thankful we did.”
In April 2020, Frey stepped aside after 29 years as the Rockets’ director of player personnel. That role is now held by long time scout Terry McFaul. The transition has been seamless.
“Terry works hard. He is well organized”, Frey said. “He has the group of scouts in tune to what he wants. His work ethic is great. He listens. Terry has been with the organization almost from the get-go, and we have similarities on how we evaluate players, so how can I not like him”.
While Frey’s role with the team isn’t as prominent as before, he still wants to add his stamp on the team’s success.
“I will be attending most of the home games. I will be doing some ‘bird dogging’ around the area and helping where ever I can. If they want me to access some players, I can certainly do that.”
Frey is recognized as one of the best scouts – ever – in the WHL. The list of current NHLers who were evaluated, drafted, or signed as free agents under his watch are endless.
“Our best players probably weren’t drafted players”, Frey said deadpan. “Shea Weber, Duncan Keith, Jamie Benn are three excellent examples. We have been fortunate to have so many great players over the years.”
Not every player Frey has drafted has been met with the approval of colleagues across the league. He remembers many looking at him sideways after choosing Tyson Baillie in the third round of the 2010 draft.
“Everyone always asks me, what made you like him? I knew he couldn’t skate, but he had the puck on his stick all the time and the puck seemed to follow him around. I don’t think there is a guy who scored more big goals for our organization than him.”
You can’t blame Frey for looking ahead to the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. His grandson, Carter, will be eligible, and with the guidance of his dad (former Rocket forward Travis Moen), according to grandpa, he is a pretty good player.
“He was better than his dad was at the same age. We have a first round pick, so who knows”, Frey said with a chuckle.
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