Scanlan was a forward who played for the Montreal Shamrocks and Winnipeg Victorias.

He was buried in the family plot in Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery in Montreal.

He played four seasons with the Shamrocks, members of Cup championship squads in 1899 and 1900.

He played on a forward line with other notable players Arthur Farrell and Harry Trihey.

He played two seasons with the Winnipeg Victorias before retiring from competitive ice hockey.