Former OHF President Joe Drago wins Hockey Canada's Order of Merit Award

Joe Drago, former OHF President from 2005-2011, was recently recognized at the 2022 Hockey Canada Awards for winning the Order of Merit Award.

A lifelong fan who turned that passion in volunteering, Joe Drago has been a pillar of the hockey community in northern Ontario and on the national stage for over 30 years.

A resident of Sudbury, Ont., Joe spent nearly two decades with Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves as coach, general manager, president and co-owner before another 12 years in junior hockey as the commissioner for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). That time also included involvement with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).

His long journey through the volunteer administration of the game started in 1998, when Joe served as Junior Council chair with the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF). He was the OHF vice-president from 2001-05, then president from 2005-11. Joe moved on to the Hockey Canada Board of Directors following his time with the OHF, serving two terms as chair from 2014-18.

Joe’s dedication to the game has been honoured at each of his stops. He is a life member of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, OHF, NOJHL, CJHL and the Sudbury Wolves. Joe is also an honoured member of the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame, which has named the coach of the year award on his behalf.

It takes a special individual to dedicate as much of their life as Joe has to hockey and the game is better for it.