The Greater Toronto Hockey League mourns the passing of Gord Hughes, a true builder of the game whose impact on minor hockey — and on the broader Mississauga sports community — spanned nearly four decades. Gord passed away on December 5, 2025, at the age of 97.
Gord’s volunteer journey began in 1970 as a Director with the Clarkson Hockey Association, where he also served as an area representative in the Mississauga Hockey League (MHL) for seven seasons. Over time, his leadership and belief in community sport led him into other roles, including two terms as 1st Vice President in the late 1970s. Later, in 1981-82, he became President, helping guide the organization during a period widely remembered for its growth and success.
Gord continued to take on new challenges beyond Mississauga — serving as a Director, 2nd Vice President, and 1st Vice President with the then Metropolitan Toronto Hockey League (MTHL), and later contributing as a Director with the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF).
Gord’s dedication also extended to the women’s game. As a Director of the Mississauga Chiefs, he helped support the team during the early “new ice age” of women’s hockey, when the National Women’s Hockey League (1999-2001) was establishing.
While Gord devoted countless hours to hockey, his commitment to community sport reached far beyond the rink. He served as Director of the Mississauga Canoe Club (1972-75), President of the Mississauga Girls Lacrosse Association (1977-79), and contributed to the Mississauga Olympic Organizing Committee (1991) in its ambitious effort to bring the Olympic Games to the Greater Toronto Area.
Among the organizations closest to his heart was the Mississauga Sports Council, whose mission is the promotion and development of sport and physical activity. Gord joined the Sports Council early in its history and went on to serve as a Director and Vice-Chair.
His legacy was recognized many times over. Gord was inducted to the MHL Hall of Fame (2002) and named an MHL Life Member (2004), as well as elected Life Member of the GTHL (1999). Gord also received the Canadian Olympic Celebration Achievement Medal (1988), and was also honoured nationally as the recipient of Hockey Canada’s Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2012.
Within the GTHL, Gord’s commitment to both hockey and education continues to live on through the Gord Hughes U16 ‘AAA’ Scholarship Award, established in 2012. The award recognizes a U16 ‘AAA’ player who demonstrates excellence academically and on the ice, and provides a one-time $2,000 post-secondary scholarship.
Gord Hughes gave his time, his leadership, and his heart to the game — and to the people the game serves. His legacy is written into the leagues he helped guide, the programs he strengthened, and the countless young athletes who benefited from better hockey communities because he chose to volunteer, year after year.
The GTHL extends our deepest condolences to Gord’s family, friends, and everyone across Mississauga and the hockey world who had the privilege of learning from and knowing him.
