OHL Mourns the Loss of Angelo Bumbacco

The Ontario Hockey League is mourning the loss of a Sault Ste. Marie hockey giant. Angelo Bumbacco, one of the original founders and directors of the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88.

“Angelo Bumbacco’s contributions to our league and the game of hockey cannot be overstated,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “He was a legend within the hockey community and his accomplishments were punctuated by his care of the game and the players who played it.”

A Sault Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and past Sault Sportsperson of the Year, Bumbacco was a minority owner of the Greyhounds and sat on the club’s board of directors. Over the course of his lengthy time around the game, he formerly served as General Manager and Coach of the Greyhounds in addition to scouting for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and 2004 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

“He was an indispensable part of the rich history of the Soo Greyhounds,” Hounds president Tim Lukenda told The Sault Star’s Peter Ruicci. “He was first class all the way. We will miss him greatly overseeing his boys at the Greyhound games.”

The Hounds honoured Bumbacco in 2012, dedicating the media room at GFL Memorial Gardens to his legacy. The Bumbacco Trophy continues to be awarded to the OHL’s West Division champion in honour of Angelo’s tremendous contributions to the Ontario Hockey League.

For more on the life and career of Angelo Bumbacco, including how he inspired current Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, visit saultstar.com.

“Angelo was an invaluable part of the Soo Greyhounds since our inception and had an enormous impact on the lives of many of our players making them feel comfortable moving away from home to come play in the Soo.”… pic.twitter.com/M9lF5pYcYN

— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) October 28, 2020