POTSDAM -- After more than 40 years in the game, Clarkson University hockey alumni Joe Drago will lead Team Canada hockey as its new chairman of the board.

The former Ontario Hockey Federation president and Sudbury, Ontario native, Drago was elected chairman of the board for Hockey Canada this past weekend at Hockey Canada's 96th annual meeting in Ottawa, an event that coincided with the club’s 100th anniversary. He had spent the past year as Hockey Canada's executive vice-chair and succeeds outgoing chairman Jim Hornell in the position.

"I'm very pleased to be named Hockey Canada's first chair under our new governance model," Drago said. "I also look forward to working with the board of directors, recently appointed CEO Tom Renney, the Hockey Canada staff as well as the thousands of participants and volunteers from across the country, who have dedicated countless hours to help strive and continually better our wonderful game," added Drago.

Drago is also a former co-owner of the Sudbury Wolves where he spent 17 years in varying capacities including coach, general manager and president.

He also served on the executive of the Ontario Hockey League and is an honored member of the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame where the Hall's coach of the year award is named in his behalf.

Drago's is also a life member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Salvation Army advisory board, the Alzheimer Society and the House of Kin. Drago previously received the Community Builder's Award for Sports and Recreation, a Hubby Award, is a Paul Harris Rotary Club honor recipient and received the Ontario Medical Association's Centennial Award.

A solid two-way player for the Golden Knights, who skated as both a wing and a defenseman, Drago played three seasons for the Green and Gold from 1960-63. On July 10, 2004, Drago was presented with Clarkson's Arnold H. Barben Award.