BILL POTRECZ

BPSN

If anyone was going to write a history of the Fort Erie Meteors, Mark Sauder would be the perfect choice.

The 66-year-old Fort Erie resident has been involved with the organization in a variety of roles for over four decades, beginning in 1982 as a correspondent covering the team with the Niagara Falls Review after graduating from the broadcasting program at Humber College.

Sauder remained in that role for 10 years, adding a variety of duties as he gained the trust of Meteors owner Tony Passero.

“Tony had already amalgamated me into doing everything,” Sauder said. “Not coaching or trainer, but equipment manager, stats, all that,” he said.

Sauder loved working with Passero.

“A lot of times, if he was grumpy or didn’t like the game, I kind of knew his thoughts, so I would put the quote together and ask him if he was okay with it,” Sauder remembered. “Just earned trust by being there all the time and watching. One night, the assistant coach wasn’t there, so he asked me to do it, and it just kind of morphed into it. Just got more and more involved.”

One of Sauder’s biggest contributions was overseeing the transition of the organization to Tony Passero’s family following his death in 2018. 

“When they first took over, I was more there as a mentor too — I don’t know if you would say mentor — but I would go into meetings with them,” Sauder said.

He quickly found out he was on the same page with head coach/general manager Nic Passero.

“We were kind of meshing anyway because he’s a lot like his dad in his thinking when it comes to development stuff, so it kind of corresponded, and he just got stronger and stronger, and I kind of stepped back a bit and just kept involved, but it’s well under control,” Sauder said.

Nic Passero appreciates Sauder’s guidance.

“He seems to have the answers for sure,” he said. “It’s nice to know that we have that when it’s needed, and especially taking this over and not knowing much about that side of it.  The hockey part’s the easiest part, so everything else, between Joe (Fazio) and Mark, it’s a lot of years of knowledge there, so it’s easy to fall back on. 

“I’ve known Mark my entire life, and my dad trusted him, and it makes it a lot easier for me to trust him for sure.”

Sauder’s main duties since 1990 have been as treasurer. He also helps with the programs and is the designated sharpshooter for any problems with the team’s streaming broadcasts.

“Keeps us all in line financially, making sure we’re all on the right track,” Nic Passero said. “Spending money where we need to spend it, saving money where we need to save it. He’s been here a long time and knows all the rules. He knows all the ins and outs of the lottery and the league. He’s always had my back, and when I need an answer for stuff like that, legally, financially, so he’s a huge asset for us.”

Sauder is proud to see the organization find success in recent years.

“We tried, and of course, back then, you had teams paying players, and we’re kind of always behind the eight ball, but we took satisfaction, and kids were drafted,” he said. “We had six kids drafted in one year in the OHL, which was just phenomenal. Now they stay, but they are moving along, and it’s just great to see.”

Sauder said seeing the Meteors win their first Golden Horseshoe championship two years ago was particularly gratifying.

“I didn’t even go on the ice, I was just kind of stunned,” he said. “Couldn’t believe it. I hugged Meaghan (Passero).”

Sauder still enjoys coming to the rink and sees no reason to stop now.

“I just love seeing hockey,” he said. “It’s a way to be in hockey. I was never any good enough to play, and my sportscasting career and all that kind of went out the window, so it’s just a way to stick around. It’s pretty special.

“I really don’t think about it. I go to the (Welland) Jackfish in the summer and come back ready for hockey.”