New Directors elected to the OHF Board

Date: Jul, 06, 2021 12:00 PM EDT

CAMBRIDGE, ON (July 6, 2021) –  Ontario Hockey Federation announced today the appointment of two new and two re-elected Board of Directors.

Susan Irving, John Kastner, Wayne Purboo and Hugh Riddle were elected for 2-year terms to the Ontario Hockey Federation Board of Directors following the 2021 OHF Annual General Meeting. John Kastner and Hugh Riddle were re-elected, while Susan Irving and Wayne Purboo will make a first-time appearance on the OHF Board.

Nine candidates were considered for the four open spots. The Board of Directors were evaluated on individuals' required skills, personal background, previous hockey and board experience.

“As an Executive Director, all that you can ask for in a board are people that have a passion for the sport of hockey and challenge you and your staff to be better each and every day,” said OHF Executive Director, Philip McKee.


“The OHF Board continues to become more diverse year after year with great individuals that bring expertise to the table.  The OHF is excited for the return of John Kastner and Hugh Riddle that bring the experience of being part of the Board through the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the OHF is lucky to welcome two great individuals, Susan Irving and Wayne Purboo, that are successful in their own careers and will diversify the conversation at the OHF Board based on those successes.”

Susan Irving, one of the newly elected Board Members is currently the Chief Marketing Officer for Kruger. She has also had various executive roles in Marketing with Fortune 500 companies like Pepsi Co, Coca-Cola and Warner Lamber. In hockey, she has served in various administrative roles at Leaside Minor Hockey, one of Canada’s largest Minor Hockey Associations, as well as serving as President. Irving is also a Board of Director for the Canadian Women and Sport and was previously a National Team athlete in sailing.

Also newly elected is Wayne Purboo, who is currently an SVP for New Relic, a worldwide software provider. Purboo’s career has seen him lead the start-up of three companies that grew in excess of $2 billion in revenue. He also garners extensive experience in Media Relations. In hockey, Purboo was previously the co-owner of the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, as well as a father of two boys who came through the Minor Hockey system and went on to play in the Ontario Hockey League. As well as his professional accolades, Purboo and his wife, have created the non-profit organization Onyx Initiative the works to mentor black Canadians in developing their careers.

Re-elected for another two-year term, Hugh Riddle and John Kastner re-join the OHF Board of Directors. Riddle, the longtime coach and manager of several Minor Hockey teams currently works professionally as a Project Manager. He previously sat on the Northern Ontario Hockey Association Board as well as served as Vice-President. Riddle has served on the OHF Board for 3 years and has also served as the Chair for the OHF Minor Committee, Junior Council, Scholarship Committee and Audit Committee.

Along with Hugh Riddle, John Kastner returns to the OHF Board as the GM of Stratford Museum, previously working as Managing Editor of the Stratford Beacon Herald newspaper. He has served the OHF Board since 2014 and is a former hockey and baseball coach who has also served as President of Minor Hockey in Stratford as well as on the Ontario Hockey Association board. Kastner has been honoured in his community as the Sportsperson of the Year and Business Person of the Year in Stratford.

Long-time Chair of the OHF Board of Directors, Tony Foresi will also continue in his distinguished role. The OHF is excited to introduce our newest additions to the Board as well as welcome back long-time veterans as we look forward to getting to know our Directors that will be coming out in the latter part of July.

ABOUT THE OHF

The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) is the Provincial Sport Organization for the sport of Hockey and is the largest member of Hockey Canada operating alongside the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) as governing bodies for amateur hockey in Ontario. The OHF operates within a structure that is comprised of seven member partners: Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE), Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA), Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA). Each operating under specific programs to their area or jurisdiction, following Hockey Canada and OHF Regulations, Rules and Policies.