Soo Eagles give and receive
Ever since arriving in Sault Ste. Marie in 2010 as the general manager and coach of the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Bruno Bragagnolo has been big on community involvement.
Under Bragagnolo, the Eagles have been active participants in a multitude of community events in the Michigan Soo over the years.
Involvement in the community and marketing the Eagles through media outlets that include radio station ESPN 1400 and Hockey News North, the junior hockey team has become a fixture in the Michigan Soo and is annually among the attendance leaders in the NOJHL.
Bragagnolo likens the Eagles relationship within the community to one of giving and receiving.
“We get great support from our fans, advertisers and volunteers and we like to give back to the community in any way that we can and whenever we can,” noted Bragagnolo, who is also involved in the ownership of the Eagles.
As an example of their community involvement, the Eagles were recently recognized by War Memorial Hospital for the ongoing support shown by the NOJHL team’s players, coaches and volunteer staff.
“We enjoy and respect our relationship with the Soo Eagles organization,” noted Teresa Dwyer-Armstrong, who is War Memorial Hospital’s director of community relations and development fund.
“From the management, to the coaching staff and players, their involvement in our community is seen everywhere,” said Dwyer-Armstrong. “From fundraisers of their own, to helping out and volunteering for other charitable events, we appreciate all that they do for our community and for our hospital. They are a true community partner.”
War Memorial officially recognized the Eagles for supporting the hospital’s Road to Recovery program as well partnering with it on scholarships that benefit high school students and others in the Michigan Soo.
NOJHL commissioner Rob Mazzuca saluted the Eagles for their community involvement.
“Like the majority of our member clubs who continually serve their respective communities off the ice in such worthwhile endeavours such as this, we commend the entire Eagles organization for their steadfast commitment and community support,” stated Mazzuca.
My son is a rookie with the Eagles and in speaking with him his fondest part of being a part of the team is the community service that they do. We are so happy that it is a part of the program. He has told us he would love to stay in the community and fully plans to move there when his Hockey and college days are over. Fantastic organization and community!!