My old friend Joe Drago
Besides getting to watch the best under-17 hockey players in the world at the challenge series that is going on in Sault Ste. Marie, the tournament serves as an opportunity to meet up with friends and acquaintances in the game.
For example, after communicating with him via telephone and e-mail on numerous occasions, I finally got to meet Barclay Branch, the affable second-year general manager of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League, in person.
I met up and chatted with Flint Firebirds general manager George Burnett, who I first got to know back in 1989 when he was a rookie head coach in the OHL for the erstwhile Niagara Falls Thunder. Burnett is now 54-years old but has hardly aged from when I first met him 27 years ago.
And I also got to spend some quality time and reminisce with current Hockey Canada chair Joe Drago, who I first met in 1975 when he was the general manager of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves and I was a rookie sportscaster at former Sault Ste. Marie radio station CKCY and sharing a booth with boom-voice newscaster Joe Petrolo.
It was great to see my old friend Drago.
Joe is 77-years old now and looks remarkably good, especially in light of the fact that it has been just under two years since he lost his beloved wife Sylvia to cancer in December of 2014.
Joe and Sylvia were married for 52 years and as school teachers, raised two daughters in their hometown of Sudbury.
In a touching and loving way, Joe spoke of his late wife and how much he misses her companionship.
But never one to feel sorry for himself and as someone who has always lived and loved life, Joe has carried on, spending time with his daughters and his grandchildren and traveling the country in his elected position on behalf of Hockey Canada.
After talking fondly about Sylvia, Joe and I shared multiple laughs and chuckles when we met up on Monday at the Essar Centre.
We talked about the old days of the OHL and the mid-1970s rivalry between his Wolves and the Soo Greyhounds. It was a time when the Wolves featured star, skilled players such as Ron Duguay, Rod Schutt, Mike Foligno and Randy Carlyle and while the Greyhounds had stars of their own in scoring champion Mike Kaszycki, goalie David Legree and rookie sensation Craig Hartsburg, the Soo was notorious for icing an infamous goon squad led by coach Muzz MacPherson.
We talked about some of the legendary characters of OHL days gone by including old coaches and managers such as Hap Emms, Jerry Toppazzini, Wayne Maxner, Bert Templeton, Brian Kilrea, Larry Mavety and Sault Ste. Marie native Paul Theriault.
We talked about the old days of radio in Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury and men like Harry Wolfe, Joe Bowen, Cummy Burton and Rob Faulds and statsman/commentator David Harrison.
We shared family stories and the fact that he grew up in Sudbury with members of the Desimone family who are blood relatives to my wife and her family in the Soo.
As always, Joe’s love and dedication for his hometown of Sudbury came through, whether it was talking about the years of voluntary service that he has performed on behalf of the hospital or when speaking of the Wolves and their new owner Dario Zulich.
Joe also retains a soft spot for the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, for which he served as volunteer commissioner for a number of years. He talked about how the NOJHL has grown under aggressive commissioner Robert Mazzuca, who as a defenseman, starred for the OHL Wolves when Joe was GM and part owner.
I have met hundreds upon hundreds of people in hockey in the 41-and-counting years that I have been in the sports media. The majority of those who I have met in hockey are ones who I couldn’t care less if I happened upon again.
But there are many who I like and trust and are good to talk to and to do friendly business with.
Joe Drago is one man who I never tire of talking to and meeting up with.
He’s an old friend who has done — and still does — a lot for the love of the game of hockey.
It’s always good to see Joe when he’s in the Soo, whether it’s at the rink or over dinner at Giovanni’s Restaurant.
They don’t make men like Joe these days.
PHOTO: Joe Drago now serves as the chairman of the board for Hockey Canada.
Randy I have to agree that the mould that they made Joe from has now been discarded. Having gone to school and then built up a long friendship when he asked me to join the Wolves back in 1972 as statistician it is always fun to chat with Joe. Although we don’t get together very often now I know he is always available when I need a friend to call on.
Wonderful article Randy!
It’s good to hear that Joe hasn’t changed a bit. He was the principal of SSS. It was a powerful athletic school winning many OFSAA’s in most sports– strongly encouraged by him! Joe was friendly, funny and fair–and what an awesome surprise to see him on TV tonight. Unfortunately, the odds were not in our favour. Hopefully we capture the next Jr Hockey World Championships.
Joe, I hope you are reading this! I want you to know you were an outstanding principal and you are well missed.
Thanks for writing this Randy!
Thanks Sandra and I made Joe aware of your comments. He was very flattered.