NEWS

The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Jodi Lanzarotta (photo credit - Andy Corneau/OJHL Images) of the Markham Royals has been named the recipient of the OJHL Volunteer-of-the-Year Award.

Involved in the game of hockey for more than 20 years at various levels, Lanzarotta was one of the first people brought on board when the Hamilton Red Wings moved to Markham last spring; becoming the Royals.  She became the club's Head of Marketing, but has gone more than above-and-beyond the call of duty for the team since taking on the new role.

One of the most enthusiastic people you will run into at the Markham Centennial Community Centre; humble, loving, unselfish, dedicated are but a few of the other adjectives you will hear when Lanzarotta's name arises in conversation.  With decades of experience within the minor hockey ranks, as well as previously with the Pickering Panthers and Hamilton Red Wings of the OJHL, she is known for constantly giving back to the game, her team, her players and especially her community.

Facing some health issues this year did not slow Lanzarotta down one bit and she was a permanent fixture at the rink throughout her treatment. This dedication became obvious to everyone when she became ill on a flight to Las Vegas for a rookie prospect camp, yet, despite spending the trip in a wheelchair, continued to volunteer her time at the camp each day.

Back in Markham, along with billeting four of the Royals players, Lanzarotta spearheaded many of the club's off-ice initiatives and efforts this season, while also contributing her own personal funds for many 'in-house' extras.  She was the driving force behind the creation of "Reggie," the Royals cuddly lion mascot, which she also helps take to many special events around the City of Markham.  Some of the special events that Lanzarotta played a huge role in initiating include Armed Forces Night, in which officers and uniformed cadets were given free admission, and the club's annual 'Pink-in-the-Rink' Night in support of Breast Cancer.

As if all this wasn't enough, Lanzarotta also spent countless hours behind-the-scenes doing the somewhat mundane and non-glamorous jobs that are required for a junior franchise to operate.  From driving players to appointments, organizing team functions and even taking jerseys home to wash; there is no job too small for this dedicated and tireless worker.

The OJHL Volunteer-of-the-Year is awarded annually to the person who has volunteered for a club(s) that is adjudged to consistently have gone above & beyond the call of duty for his/her member club throughout the course of the regular season, while past experience and time served will be taken into consideration.

Vivienne Bridgeford of the Aurora Tigers was runner-up in the OJHL award selection to Lanzarotta.  

Bridgeford has spent 40 years with the Tigers dating back to the original version of the club in the late 1970's, through a name change to Aurora Eagles in the late 1980's and back to the Tigers and two national championships in the early 2000's.  She is the glue that holds the club's game day operations together, running the box office, while taking care of just about anything else that is required.

The OJHL Trainer-of-the-Year will be announced on Friday.

2015-16 OJHL Award Winners
Award            Winner                Runner-Up                
Top Scorer        Luc Brown (WEL)        Zach Evancho (BUF)
Top Goaltender    Daniel Urbani (TRE)        Andrew Masters (GEO)
Executive        John McDonald (TRE)    Mark Jooris (BUR)
Volunteer        Jodi Lanzarotta (MAR)    Vivienne Bridgeford (AUR)

Previous OJHL Volunteer-of-the-Year Recipients
Award            Winner                Runner-Up                
2014-15        John McDonald (TRE)    Kim Anderson (NEW)
2013-14        Hal Gies (MIL)            n/a
2012-13        Mike Johnson (ORA)        Katarina French (PIC)
2011-12        Karen Sheppard (PIC/WHI)    Kim Anderson (NEW)