Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey is very pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Mallon as its new Executive Director. Mallon has an extensive hockey and sports industry background.
Lakehead Athletics Director Tom Warden said Mallon will be a welcome addition to the Lakehead Athletics family. I think that Jason will prove to be an exceptional appointment for our organization. Jason is a successful and respected business person in the community of Thunder Bay and I think he will do very well for our organization and our university. I also had the pleasure of coaching Jason in professional hockey and I know that his work ethic and enthusiasm are unparalleled so we are very, very pleased to have him onboard.
Lakehead Hockey President Rory Cava said Mallon will be a positive force in the Thunderwolves organization. I am very excited to have Jason Mallon as Executive Director of Thunderwolves Varsity Hockey. He brings a wealth of business experience to our organization and comes from a well known family that is well respected in this community. As a player with the Thunder Bay Thundercats professional team he showed great character, work ethic and determination and I'm sure he will show us the same qualities in his new career.
Mallon, a 35-year old Thunder Bay native played his minor hockey for the Thunder Bay Hornets AA organization and then went on to play for the Thunder Bay Flyers of the USHL from 1988-90. Mallon was offered a scholarship by NCAA Division I Miami of Ohio where he was a four year letterman and team captain and led his team to the CCHA championship in 1992-93. He graduated from Miami with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business with a major in Marketing. After Miami, Mallon played for one season with the Richmond Renegades of the ECHL in 95-96.
Mallon then decided to return home to Thunder Bay where he opened a Play It Again sports store franchise; building it into a Top 10 in North America single store operation in the Play It Again chain. During 96-97, Mallon also did double duty; playing all home games for the Thunder Bay Thundercats of the UHL while running his business at the same time. He also helped coach the Thunder Bay Bantam Kings to an Ontario championship as an assistant coach in 1999.
Mallons next stop was Calgary where he opened his second Play It Again location and made it a very successful location as well; making it a Top 25 in North America store in a very short time. His Western Canada Rewards program was so well received by the Play It Again company that this program was utilized by the chain at all of its locations around the world.
Mallon is married to wife Cathy who is also a native of Thunder Bay. The couple have a 16 month old daughter Maggie. Mallon enjoys rec. hockey, golf, snowboarding, and mountain biking in his free time.
Mallon said he is ready for the opportunity. Im definitely looking forward to the challenge and establishing strong relationships with the community and the businesses in Thunder Bay and the surrounding area. Over the last five years, Lakehead and the hockey board members have taken this organization to a very high level in a very short time. I hope to help take Thunderwolves Hockey to the next level and also be part of a national championship program.