A familiar face around the YNCU Soo Pee Wee Arena has been honoured by the Ontario Hockey Federation.
Joe Longo, a longtime coach, trainer, and volunteer in hockey circles locally, has been named the OHF's Sam Ciccolini Volunteer of the Year recipient.
Following is a release from the Soo Pee Wee Hockey League on the honour:
The YNCU Soo Pee Wee Arena along with the Soo Pee Wee Hockey League (SPWHL) are thrilled for longtime volunteer, coach and trainer Joe Longo who was named the Sam Ciccolini Volunteer of the Year by the Ontario Hockey Federation. With a long resume of over 44 years of involvement, Joe brings an infectious smile and a positive attitude with him everywhere he goes, Joe is more than simply a wealth of hockey knowledge and experience he is an extraordinary volunteer.
The Ontario Hockey Federation reflected this sentiment.
“Joe is there for the kids, to do whatever it takes to enhance their experience and make the game of hockey fun and hopefully a lifetime hobby. For Longo, hockey and athletics is one way to teach kids the benefit of hard work. He pushes them hard; he demands discipline and work ethic. He wants kids to understand the concept of teamwork and camaraderie.”
At 69 years old, Joe Longo still ties up the skates for practices and gets behind the bench to assist longtime friend and coach Chad Bouchard with their U13 House League LBMX team. If that isn’t enough, Longo is also the head coach of his 4-year-old grandson’s U5 Timbit team this season; mentoring the Soo Pee Wee Hockey League’s youngest and oldest players.
“I have coached for ten years with Joe. I have learned a lot about the game, but even more about how to treat people. Joe’s ability to lead, mentor and communicate with young people is something I wish all players, parents and coaches could witness,” says coach Bouchard.
A retiree from the steel plant, Joe is a fixture at the rink.
“The Soo Arena Association and its Board of Directors would like to thank, recognize and congratulate Joe Longo. Joe has been with the YNCU Soo Pee Wee Arena as an administrative assistant for nine years, and his work ethic, commitment and dedication to our arena has been an essential part of our success. His dedication to family, work and hockey is the exact reason why there is no one more deserving of this award than Joe Longo.”
“Joe is a volunteer who epitomizes what we hope all volunteers will bring to the rink. He is there for the kids in all aspects of not only hockey but life also. He never shies away from helping all kids. His love of the game is witnessed each time he gets on the ice. The Soo Pee Wee Hockey League is lucky to have him as a volunteer and this award couldn’t have gone to a better person,” said Nicole Clouthier, president of the league.
In 2021, Joe Longo was the recipient of the Rick F. Albert Memorial Award from the Northern Ontario Hockey Association for his dedication, time and effort to development within the NOHA. With this latest OHF Volunteer of the Year Award, Joe’s co-workers at the rink now fondly refer to him as “famous Joe”.