SUDBURY – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is pleased to announce that former NOJHL Commissioner Joe Drago has been acclaimed as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors for Hockey Canada.
In doing so Drago becomes the first person from northern Ontario to chair the national body.
The announcement comes at the conclusion of Hockey Canada’s 96th annual meeting, which wrapped up Saturday in Ottawa.
He had spent the past year as Hockey Canada’s Executive Vice-Chair and succeeds outgoing chairman Jim Hornell in the position.
Drago looks forward to serving in his new role as Hockey Canada’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.
“I’m very pleased to be named Hockey Canada’s first chair under our new governance model,” stated Drago.
“I also look forward to working with the Board of Directors, recently appointed CEO Tom Renney, the Hockey Canada staff as well as the thousands of participants and volunteers from across the country, who have dedicated countless hours to help strive and continually better our wonderful game,” added Drago.
In addition to being known for his volunteerism, charity work in northeastern Ontario and a 12-year stint as commissioner of the NOJHL, Drago is also a former co-owner of the Sudbury Wolves where he spent 17 years in varying capacities including coach, general manager and president.
He also served on the executive of the Ontario Hockey League and is an honoured member of the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame where the Hall’s coach of the year award is named in his behalf.
NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca offered his thoughts on Drago’s appointment.
“This is a tremendous honour for Joe, a proud moment for all of northern Ontario and the NOJHL,” said Mazzuca.
“His many years of service within the game, as well as multiple charitable endeavours, truly shows a dedicated passion that all of us in the region can only strive to emulate,” says the NOJHL Commissioner.
Drago’s other accomplishments include being a member of the hospital board and foundation for nearly 30 years with them naming him their first Life Member.
He is also a Life Member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Alzheimer Society and the House of Kin.
Drago previously received the Community Builder’s Award for Sports and Recreation, a Hubby Award, is a Paul Harris Rotary Club honour recipient and one of his proudest accomplishments was being named the first northerner to receive the Ontario Medical Association’s Centennial Award.
