Each month during the season, the BCHL will recognize one team volunteer whose dedication to their organization and their community goes above and beyond.
Mota has been a volunteer with the team for 27 years and is well-known at the rink and in the community for running the Spud Shack, serving food at Cominco Arena.
“If you talk to anybody in this community, it’s all about the Smokies,” said Mota. “It feels so good helping these kids keep doing what they like to do.”
“I’ve got a great bunch of volunteers. We’ve got some people in their 60s and 70s and they’ll do anything for this hockey club. They’re just amazing people.”
According to Smoke Eaters Director of Marketing Allison McCarthy, Mota’s volunteer reach extends even beyond the hockey team and into the community as a whole.
“John means so much to the Trail Smoke Eaters,” said McCarthy. “He is super generous with his time and dedication and he’s one the best human beings that I’ve ever met.”