The Ontario Hockey League is saddened by news of the loss of former long-time Mayor of Mississauga and OHL supporter Hazel McCallion, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 101 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
McCallion, who served as Mayor of Mississauga from 1978 until 2014, played professional women’s hockey while attending school in Montreal, an interest and passion that carried over into her role as Mayor as she helped bring the OHL to Mississauga in 1998.
“Not only did Hazel McCallion have a tremendous commitment and dedication to the city of Mississauga, she also championed the game of hockey at all levels,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “She played an important role in bringing the OHL to Mississauga, and continued providing tremendous support to the IceDogs, Majors and Steelheads throughout her lengthy tenure as Mayor and beyond. Hazel’s leadership and passion will be greatly missed.”
McCallion was instrumental in the construction of the facility now known as the Paramount Fine Foods Centre. The Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors were hosts of the 2011 Memorial Cup in that venue, which continues to serve as home of the Mississauga Steelheads today.
For more on the life and career of Hazel McCallion, visit insauga.com.
We are saddened by the passing of former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion. No one meant more to our Steelheads family or loved our Mississauga Steelheads team more than Hazel. Our team would not be here today without Hazel McCallion. Hazel is Mississauga, Mississauga is Hazel ❤️ pic.twitter.com/p7XJaEVAxV
— Mississauga Steelheads (@OHLSteelheads) January 29, 2023
