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The Meadowvale Minor Hockey Association (MMHA)
is a not-for-profit corporation affiliated with the City of
Mississauga Parks and Recreation Department. We are staffed
solely and exclusively by volunteers from within the Meadowvale
hockey community. The MMHA is one of eight Area Associations
that comprise the Mississauga Hockey League. Applewood,
Cooksville, Clarkson, Erindale, Lorne Park, Credit Valley and Port
Credit are the other seven Associations.
The Meadowvale Minor Hockey Association has the dual
distinction of being the largest and youngest association in the
MHL. The Association started up 1976 with 7 teams, a brand
new arena, and high hopes for the small but growing community of
Meadowvale. The gutsy team of founding members, (Bob
Jones, Brian Shaw, Pat Jones, Jim Buckle, Wally Jones, Wally
Rawn & Dave Strutt), may not have foreseen the amazing growth
rate that the area was to go through, but they did put in place
the philosophy and structure necessary to support the 87 teams
(over 1400 players) and countless volunteers that make out the
Organization. The Organization will celebrate it's 30th
anniversary in the 2006-2007 season.
The Organization now supports a
booming Tyke program for 4-6 year olds as well as the regular
age levels from Minor Novice to Juvenile, (7-19). The “Mohawks” are the
representative Meadowvale teams, playing at the more competitive
“A” level. A good indication of the “Meadowvale success” is the
number of
former players this young organization has seen in the OHL.
As with any young organization
that starts from scratch, the identity of the association went
through a few changes throughout the 70s and 80s. The team
colours during the first decade were various shades of brown,
white and orange. The late 80s saw the move to the black, gray and
white (L.A. Kings) jerseys before evolving into the present,
striking colours, of black, yellow and white (Boston Bruins).
2004 saw the introduction of the Meadowvale Hawks (still modeled
on the Boston Bruin colours) for our House League teams.
The Meadowvale Association has
always had a progressive approach to community hockey. “Family
participation”
is encouraged as well as the concepts of teamwork, respect and
good sportsmanship. Meadowvale has run a “Can-Am Friendship
Tournament” for the past 22 years during which Meadowvale teams
and respective teams from Pittsburgh, PA, get to know one another
on and off the ice. They are also the first association in the MHL
to adopt the “S.T.O.P.” program for age levels where contact
hockey is played, in the fight against excessive violence in
hockey and the promotion of safety.
The following people have served
in the position of President for Meadowvale: Bob Jones, Dave
Strutt, Jim Pinfold, Pat Jones, Richard Miron, Mac Macfarlane,
Richard Ladouceur, Dominik Fortin, Michel Feuiltault, Ed Nomi, Betty Burgess,
John Hollohan, Jeff Leavens
and currently Lorraine Muise. Fred Buchal, a former MHL President and inductee
into the MHL Hall of Fame, previously coached for Meadowvale.
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