The entire Mississauga Terriers Organization pays tribute to three long-time executive members as they step back from their roles and settle into the next chapetr in their lives.
For the better part of three decades, the Mississauga
Terriers Hockey Club has had the privilege of having three very special
individuals in its organization. Jack Brooks, Mike Loschiavo and John O’Flaherty
have spent no less than 8 years each as coaches for the Terriers and for the
last 22 years, they have served on the Executive – Jack as GM & CEO, Mike as
President and John as Treasurer. It is no secret that the Mississauga Terriers
Hockey Club is known as one of, if not the premier AA hockey organization in the
GTHL and these three individuals are the reason why.
Jack, Mike and OJ, as John is affectionately known,
have spent countless hours over the years doing everything they could to guide
the Terrier organization through thick and thin. There is no other executive
who has been more involved with its organization than these three. They have
been a staple in the Terrier Lounge every Monday night at Erim Mills Arena,
greeting everyone, getting to know the players and families and of course, playing
gracious hosts to everyone who visits the lounge for a coffee and a Timbit. Their
hands on approach is unprecedented in hockey and it’s the reason that so many
who become a Terrier want to stay a Terrier.
At the Terrier banquet on Tuesday, April 22nd,
the whole organization paid tribute to these three fine men as they all celebrated
with us for their last time as executive members. The trio has done their part,
paid their dues and gone over and above for anyone who needed it, and now, it’s
their time to step back, relax, spend more time with their families and just settle
in as hocky fans… who will forever bleed Terrier Blue.
Their retirement is bittersweet for many. They have
touched so many lives over the years and will be remembered as the most giving
and supportive people many of us have had the pleasure of work with. A great
example of their simple, supportive style was captured in Mark Hrinco’s speech
when he told his story of seeing Jack in a rink in Windsor while his team was
there competing in the Provincial Championships one year. When Mark saw him, he
asked Jack what he was doing there and Jack, with his ever-present wit, simply answered,
“I was in the neighbourhood, so I though I’d drop by and catch your game.” I guess in Jack’s eyes a 3-hour drive is “in
the neighbourhood!” There are countless other stories and anecdotes that could
be shared, but they’d all end up telling us the same thing, and that’s the
story of a group of three who spent thirty plus years of their lives giving
everything they could to make sure the Terrier organization was the best it
could be in order to ensure that every player, family member and friend had the
best possible minor hockey experience they could.
To the “Three Amigos,” from everyone who has ever had
the privilege of knowing you, working with you, playing for the Terriers or just
joining you for a coffee in the Terrier Lounge, we all want to thank you from
the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done for the Terriers and
minor hockey in the GTHL.
We wish you well in your retirement and hope to see you
around the rinks.