When Coffey wasn’t playing hockey or pleasure skating with his family on Fridays and Sundays on a man-made rink at Ridgewood Public School (maintained by his father, Jack), he was playing lacrosse, soccer and baseball in Wildwood Park.

And when he won his first Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1984, Paul celebrated with family and friends at the Malton Community Centre.

“He’s so proud to be from Malton… he deserves the recognition,” said Iannelli.

Ward 5 councillor Carolyn Parrish said she hopes the renaming of both the arena and Wildwood Park is the catalyst for rebuilding the village. In addition to the re-naming, the 48-year-old arena is getting a major face-lift, which includes historical murals on two walls and new signage for both the park and the arena.

But no matter what finishing touches are put on the arena, Coffey said he will never forget the early years at the Malton arena and how important it was to his childhood and future development.

“I remember putting on that blue and white and red jersey, playing for the Malton Minor Hockey Association… To have the arena named after me is a huge honour.”

“I’ve had a lot of nice things happen to me,” said Coffey, referencing the Edmonton Oilers retiring his jersey and his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, “but this is one of the best.”

“Paul’s recognition as a Mississauga son has been long overdue. Re-naming the Malton Arena the Paul Coffey Arena only makes sense – it’s where he grew up playing hockey and lacrosse and where hundreds of kids since have dreamed of becoming the next Paul Coffey,” said Mike McCarthy, long-time friend of Coffey and president of MHI Canada Aerospace Inc.

Coffey was drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers and led the team to three Stanley Cups in the 1980s. He won his last Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990-91 and played on seven teams thereafter, ending his career in 2001 with the Boston Bruins.