It’s very fitting that Joe Mastrodonato, the man who built the foundation that is now the Powell River Kings, should take his rightful place in the rafters as a builder.
Twenty-two years ago Mastrodonato spearheaded a group that ended up securing the franchise of the Delta Flyers who were coached by Rick Hopper.
Mastrodonato, armed with support from Powell River and Courtenay, went to his first meeting with the intent of securing an expansion franchise, however his rejected proposal from the league turned into an acquisition after the meeting.
“All of a sudden we had a bunch of guys hanging onto our shirttails,” he said, “and saying, if you guys want a franchise I’ll sell you mine.”
Hopper was with the Flyers and he subsequently became the first coach of the Powell River Kings in 1988, recording a very respectable 79 points in its first year.
Almost quarter of a century later, the team is still thriving and the envy of the rest of the league, winning the last three Coastal Conference championships and frequently ranked in the top 20 Junior A teams in the nation.
Mastrodonato and his group handed the franchise over to Powell River Kings Society years ago, but the recently retired realtor has since returned to his labour of love.
“I’ve been a hockey fan since it started in Powell River,” he said. “My son Scott played hockey and my daughter Rachelle figure skated so we spent most of our lives in hockey arenas all over BC.”
His latest fundraising efforts include the Kings’ giant raffle where he led a small army of dedicated volunteers.
“Having a business background in sales and working with people,” he said, has taught him “if you don’t have energy around you then you’re a nobody, so you have to figure out a way to work with people to be successful.”
He works harder and longer than most of the volunteers but, “when you have a passion for something the hours don’t mean anything. You just need to get the job done,” leaving no room for misunderstanding.
Board member and former president Doug McCormick has worked with Mastrodonato for many years and thought the time was right to celebrate one of Powell River’s hockey builders.
“For me I know there were a number of guys, about 12 or 14 that were originally involved,” he said, “but Joe was ‘the guy.’ He’s still very active with the club and with the whole upgrade to the complex that he’s currently involved with. None of that would have happened without him.”
McCormick said Mastrodonato approached the board and said “I would like to do this.” So Mastrodonato took it upon himself to work with Powell River Community Forest and arranged for getting the seats put in and the score clock from the First Credit Union.
“What’s so nice about having him,” said McCormick, “is that he’s a go-getter that takes on projects by himself and gets them done.”
Elise Statham, Kings’ marketing and sales manager, freely admits to, “Joe being someone that I aspire to be like. There is always a big smile on his face and he always puts a positive spin on things.
“He had a vision to bring the Kings to Powell River,” said Statham, “and it resulted in countless young men achieving their academic and athletic dreams, hundreds of game nights bringing the community together and thousands of memories etched out on the ice.”
For all of that, at Saturday night’s game on February 25 against Vernon Vipers, Mastrodonato will be recognized in a much deserved pre-game ceremony and a surprise blast from the past fans won’t want to miss.
