Kings Remember Ace, Mark, and the Fallen
Jun 7, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general view as a large American flag is unfurled on the ice during the playing of the national anthem before game two of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final between the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Today is September 11th. A day for remembrance and reflection.
As a nation comes together to grieve and remember the fallen of that tragic day, the Kings remember two of their own lost onboard the ill-fated Flight 175. Garnet ‘Ace’ Bailey and Mark Bavis.
Garnet ‘Ace’ Bailey was the son of NHL legend Irvine ‘Ace’ Bailey. Garnet played in the NHL from 1968-1978, playing for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Capitals. Garnet won two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972, playing along some other NHL legends, namely: Reggie Leach, Wayne Cashman, Gerry Cheevers, Terry O’Reilly, Phil Esposito and the great Bobby Orr. The Bruins of those three years, especially 1972, are considered a legendary team because of their roster filled with Hall of Famers.
Garnet would lift the Cup five more times as a scout for the Edmonton Oilers (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990). Prior to becoming a scout he played one season with the Oilers during 1978-1979. At that time the team played in the Western Hockey Association. After the 1979 season, the WHA folded and the Edmonton Oilers along with the Hartford Whalers, Winnipeg Jets, and Quebec Nordiques merged with the NHL. During that 1978-1979 season Garnet took a skinny young kid under his wing. The kid’s name: Wayne Gretzky. Garnet worked as a scout with the Oilers from 1981-1994, after coaching their Central Hockey League affiliate the Wichita Wild for one season.
Garnet worked as the Director of Pro Scouting for the Kings from 1994-2001.
Mark Bavis played along side his twin brother for Boston University. Mark played four seasons for the Terriers from 1989 to 1993. During his time there BU went to four NCAA tournaments, won three Bean Pot titles, and one Hockey East Championship (for college hockey the NCAA tournament is the National Playoffs, the Bean Pot is an annual Boston-local tournament that features BU, Boston College, Harvard University, and Northeastern University; the Hockey East is the conference BU is a part of along with 11 other NCAA teams).
In 1989 Mark was drafted by the New York Rangers. After college Mark played between the American Hockey League Providence Bruins, and East Coast Hockey League South Carolina Stingrays. Mark was an assistant coach at Harvard and Brown universities; he also was an assistant coach for the Chicago Freeze Junior A development team.
Mark was entering his second season as an amateur scout for the Kings on September 11th.
Eternal members of the Kings family, Ace and Mark both called the city of Boston home.
Today, we all reflect and remember one of the worst tragedies in our nation’s history. Kings nation remembers Ace and Mark. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, and all of the families of the fallen on September 11th.
For information to donate to charities in Ace and Mark’s name refer to the Kings website.