Debenham was head scout for two OHL teams

A Chatham resident who was well-known in area hockey circles died last week.

Jim Debenham died on Nov. 29. He is survived by his wife Carol, of 51 years, and was a father of two kids, a grandfather of four and two great-grandkids.

Debenham played, coached, and scouted hockey. When he moved to Chatham in the 80’s he became part of the Chatham Jr. Maroons organization and later joined The Hawks (Walpole and then Tilbury). Jim worked for the Ontario Hockey League’s Central Scouting Bureau before joining the Plymouth Whalers.

He was the Plymouth Whalers director of scouting from 2002-2009 before filling the same position with the Sarnia Sting for three seasons. He rejoined the Whalers, scouting for the team for a year, and retired in 2010 to spend his winters in Florida.

Debenham had a lot of success with the Whalers. During his seven-year tenure with Plymouth, the Whalers won the West Division title four times, went to the conference finals twice, and won an OHL Championship and an appearance in the 2007 Memorial Cup.

The funeral and visitation for Debenham was held at Alexander and Houle Funeral home on December 6.