John Vella Award (Mississauga Terriers Hockey Club)

PrintJohn Vella Award
In February of 2009, we lost the Director of the Mississauga Terriers and a great friend, John Vella, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. John started with the Terriers in 1983 when his son, John Jr., began playing AA hockey. He continued his volunteer work with the Terriers and ended up spending 25 years with the organization. John joined the Club's Executive and became the Terriers equipment manager. He also assisted with bingo, the Terry Terrier Tournament and many other tasks for which he freely volunteered his time. When we think of John we not only think about an incredibly nice gentleman, but we think about how “giving” he was, and how you could always count on John to be there, to smile and lend a helping hand when needed. The Terriers are proud to have had such a friend in its service over the years and we can confidently say that the world was a better place when he was here with us.
                                                Thank you John!

In John’s memory, we have created the John Vella Mississauga Terrier Volunteer of the Year Award,
     which will go to one person, who like John, volunteers their time to help out the Terriers.  

                                         Award Recipients

 2023 – 2024 Rob Covassin  2024 – 2025  
2022 – 2023 James De Santo 2023 – 2024  Liz Bozzo
2021 – 2022 Rick Murphy 2021 – 2022 Lori Szabo
2019 – 2020 Karyn Teixeira 2018 – 2019 John Henriques
2017 – 2018 Piera Cappello 2016 – 2017 Mark Hrinco
2015 – 2016 Dave Emerson 2014 – 2015 Scotty Bowman
2013 – 2014 Dave Ohashi 2012 – 2013 Kathi Melo
2011 – 2012 Ray Heslop 2010 – 2011 Gina Baiao
2009 – 2010 Lori Johnston 2008 – 2009 Susan Anderson