Jodi and Mike Mastrodonato first became involved with minor hockey when their eldest son started playing at just four years old. He is now 17.
During those years the Mastrodonatos have been an integral part of the local hockey scene as volunteers in just about every capacity imaginable.
“We just help out, do whatever is needed,” said Jodi. “We invest our time for the kids like many others in our association.”
Last month the couple received an unexpected phone call from BC Hockey letting them know they had been chosen for a province-wide recognition.
The Fred Heslop Award is given out annually to five deserving volunteers around BC. This year the award went to six people as the Mastrodonatos were recognized as individuals.
“Jodi and Mike have been identified as standouts from among the fantastic group of hockey supporters in Powell River and we are happy to recognize them with this prestigious award,” said BC Hockey chief executive officer Barry Petrachenko. “The success of the hockey programming within BC Hockey results from the efforts of our volunteers across BC and the Yukon.”
The announcement came as a shock to the couple, who had not known of the award’s existence.
“It’s pretty amazing and definitely not something we expected,” said Jodi. “We don’t go out volunteering to get an award.”
The Mastrodonatos have been involved in minor hockey in Powell River in many roles over the years. Mike is a referee, coached during his kids’ younger years and was assistant coach and manager when his boys played in the rep program. He has held different positions on the executive over the years, the last being president and acting president for this season.
Jodi is also a referee, serves on the RIC committee, on the executive and was one of the driving forces in the start of a successful female hockey program in the community. She is the head coach, despite not having a daughter in the program, and has helped organize female tournaments.
“Female hockey is really flourishing across the country and our program is booming right now,” said Jodi.
She has also helped manage her son’s rep teams and is often seen in the penalty box scorekeeping or heading up a fundraising event.
Both Jodi and Mike managed the bantam rep team when Powell River hosted the Tier 2 Bantam Provincials last year. In addition to full-time jobs, they spend hours on their phones and computers each week problem solving, scheduling referees, coaching, officiating, watching their kids and even finding time to play hockey themselves.
“I’m not sure what we will do with all our spare time when our kids move on,” said Jodi.
Fred Heslop was a tireless hockey volunteer. In 2007, BC Hockey awarded him the highest honour when he was presented with the Diamond Stick Award. He passed away in 2013, leaving a legacy behind him.
BC Hockey is a not-for-profit organization and member branch of Hockey Canada in charge of governing amateur hockey at all levels in BC and Yukon Territory. It oversees approximately 130 minor hockey associations plus junior and senior teams, 60,000 players, 4,500 referees, 10,000 coaches and 20,000 official volunteers.
