Golden Hawks getting major junior opportunities as training camps open

OJHL Images / Tim Bates

The Trenton Golden Hawks will have plenty of moving parts when their training camp opens Monday, with seven players from the organization receiving opportunities to compete for spots with major junior teams.

The Golden Hawks’ training camp runs from August 24 through September 3 with exhibition, but seven players will begin camp with Ontario Hockey League clubs.

Kale Mace will be with the Barrie Colts this week, while Logan Bennett and Casey Bridgewater are both with the Sarnia Sting.

Jax Martin will take part in training camp with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Ryan Foley is with the Kingston Frontenacs, while Christian Sedgewick is with the Brantford Bulldogs and Evan Norris is with the London Knights.

Matthew Hicks already attended the Quebec Remparts’ training camp last week and was able to play in preseason game during his time in the QMJHL.

For Golden Hawks head coach and general manager Connor Armour, seeing players earn opportunities is exactly what development in OJHL should be about.

“The whole part of the job is to see those guys go on and get to that next level,” Armour said. “That’s ultimately why we do it.”

There is an obvious benefit for Trenton if its players return to the Golden Hawks having gained experience at an OHL camp. But Armour said the bigger picture is seeing players take advantage of opportunities when they come their way.

“Extremely proud,” Armour said of the players attending major junior camps. “Obviously credit to other people as well.”

For the players, the camps provide an opportunity to measure themselves against some of the top young talent in Ontario and Quebec, while getting a firsthand look at what it takes to compete in major junior.

For Trenton, it’s another sign of the opportunities the organization can provide its players.

 OJHL Images / Tim Bates

The timing also creates an unusual start to Trenton’s training camp. Players will arrive at different points depending on how long they remain with their OHL teams, giving Armour and his staff an evolving group to evaluate throughout the week.

Armour, who has spent more than 200 games as both a player and coach in the OJHL, said the league has played an important role in developing both hockey players and people.

“I think it’s done a really good job of developing good players, but more importantly, good people,” Armour said. “I think that’s the fun part about coaching is having that ability to impact these players and kids’ lives.”

Since 2016, the Golden Hawks have reached the Buckland Cup final five times, winning the championship twice. The organization describes itself as an “elite launching pad” for players pursuing NCAA, OHL, U SPORTS and professional hockey opportunities.

Eight Golden Hawks players have received major junior opportunities, with six of them doing so while Trenton prepares to open its own training camp.

For Armour, there may be some uncertainty about exactly when his players will return to Trenton, but there is little uncertainty about how he views the opportunity.

“You always want those guys back because they’re high-end players,” Armour said. “But you want to see these guys progress and move on to higher levels.”