A leader on and off the ice

Hockey has been part of Dave Myson’s life for as long as he can remember. Today, the Vice President of Operations at Shoppers Drug Mart^® is using his love of the game, and his own experience raising four children as a single parent, to help more kids in Milton, Ontario get the chance to play.

In 2024, Dave made a donation to the Milton Minor Hockey Association (MMHA) to establish a player assistance fund for children from single-parent families. The fund has already helped several young players get on the ice, with the hope of supporting many more in the years ahead.

In June, Dave was honoured for his support, receiving the President’s Award from the MMHA, an annual award that recognizes volunteers in the community. “It was a proud moment,” he says. But for Dave, the real reward is seeing the impact he can make in his community, both on and off the ice.

Dave also coaches an MMHA team, where the lessons extend beyond hockey. "We focus on hockey skills, but also on helping them become good people," he says. The team has organized food drives, collected gifts for underprivileged children and spent time playing games with seniors. Dave adds, “It’s about teaching them to be active and caring members of their community.”

This passion for hockey and teamwork started long ago. Dave played four years of hockey at the University of Alberta, followed by one year of professional hockey with the Laredo Bucks in Texas. He then chose to pursue his other passion: pharmacy. He returned to school, and in 2007, joined Shoppers Drug Mart as an Associate-Owner. His leadership skills, honed on the ice, helped him grow his career, progressing from District Manager to several Vice President roles in Pharmacy and Operations before taking on his current role of VP of Operations, Ontario West.

Through all his success, Dave’s proudest accomplishment is raising his children. "It was difficult at times balancing it all, but it’s been very rewarding,” he says. "I want to be a good role model and inspire my kids. It’s important they know that if I can do it, they can do it too."

Looking ahead, Dave hopes to grow the fund by bringing more local businesses and community partners on board. More than anything, though, he hopes to inspire others to give back in their own way. “Find something you’re passionate about and get involved,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be financial – it could be your time or your skills. Believe that you can make a difference.”

Do you volunteer in your community? The Loblaw Volunteer Grant Program(Open in a new tab) can help you make an even greater impact. Through the program, eligible colleagues and employees can apply for a grant to support the registered charity or non-profit organization where they volunteer.