Happy Birthday, Hazel! One of the OWHA's biggest supporters and the inspiration for the Hurricanes' name turns 100 today.
Hazel McCallion is a beloved member of the Mississauga community, having served as Mayor from 1978-2014. We are especially grateful for her contributions to women's hockey in Ontario, and have been honoured by her numerous appearances at MGHL events over the years.
Hazel at the unveiling of the new Mississauga Hurricanes name and logo in 2019, which was inspired by her popular nickname 'Hurricane Hazel.'
We joined the OWHA in a celebration of Hazel's 100th birthday last night, where she was recognized for being "a long-time leader and advocate for girls and women's hockey." A special limited-edition, numbered OWHA Hazel 100 commemorative jersey was also unveiled which honours her legacy.
A legend turns 100
McCallion played for a professional women's hockey team while attending school. She began playing hockey in the late 1920s, playing forward with her sisters in a three-team women’s league.
At the 1987 World Women's Hockey Tournament
(not recognized by the IIHF), the championship trophy was named the Hazel McCallion World Cup.At one time, McCallion was a board member of the Ontario Women's Hockey League, and was instrumental in the construction of the Hershey Centre
in Mississauga. McCallion provided assistance to bring an Ontario Hockey League franchise to the city in 1998, and was instrumental in bringing the IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championships to the city in 2000.
Hazel has been named an appointee to the Order of Ontario, been granted the Key to the City of Mississauga, and awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden AND Diamond Jubilee Medals. She is a legend across Canada, and we are so fortunate to call her a friend of the MGHL.
Please join us in saying ...
Happy Birthday, Hazel!