
At just 18, Thomas Kuipers is already a veteran of more than 90 games with the Trenton Golden Hawks. Part way through this season he elected to make the move to the OHL with the Brampton Steelheads.
Kuipers appeared in six games with the Steelheads after signing a Scholarship and Development Agreement with the club.
Although he didn’t record a point, he tallied six penalty minutes and plus-one rating. Now back with the Golden Hawks, Kuipers describing his OHL experience as a significant step in his development.
"It was really cool seeing what the next level was all about and just trusting my abilities," he said of the experience.
The opportunity came when the Steelheads reached out to Kuipers' advisor, expressing their interest in his potential.
"I guess they've been watching some of my games," Kuipers said. "I give a lot of credit to my advisor for getting me into the scenario. I went up and I stayed out for a couple more weeks. I just kept doing well, taking it day-by-day, and I got some more games. It was good."
A recent rule change gave Kuipers the chance to play major junior hockey without risking his NCAA eligibility. Previously, CHL players had been considered professionals because they receive a stipend for living expenses.
"The rule change gives a lot more flexibility, right? Now it doesn't mean I can't go to the NCAA, which helps a lot," he said. "Playing at the next level meant a lot It just shows that my hard work is paying off. I have a lot more to give, and I can do it."
The Steelheads have strengthened their depth this season by signing players from the OJHL. Along with Kuipers, Brampton has brought in Jared Harding, Alexander Stephen, Graeme MacAuley, and Julian Demiglio.
Kuipers noted that playing with the Steelheads and living in the Great Toronto Area was an adjustment at first.
"It's very professional up there. There's a lot of attention to detail. You have to put your work boots on every single day," he said. "It's like a job up there. It was pretty cool staying in a billet house for my first time and going to the rink every day. You have to be dialed in with the pre-scout, the practice, and everything else. I think that's why the OHL succeeds because they are so detailed."
Â
While in Brampton, the Carrying Place native billeted with Steelheads forward Gabe Chiarot, a cousin of Detroit Red Wings defenceman Ben Chiarot.
Â
"I thought it was really good seeing what it's all about living in the city being five minutes from the GO train," Kuipers said. "The rink was 14 kilometers away, but it was a 25-minute drive, so it was way different than Trenton. Obviously a bunch of traffic and just the environment. I thought it was really cool and I got used to it as it went on, but I'm happy to be back."
His time with the Steelheads also reunited him with Reed Gee. His minor midget teammate with the Quinte Red Devils.
"It was cool to be back with him. We connected on day one when I got there. I told him I was coming, and he was really excited for me," he said. "We're still connected. He showed me how things work. I give him a lot of credit for my success up there."
Â
Kuipers played most of his youth hockey with the Red Devils, his age group set a record for the association with 12 players selected in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
Thomas was originally drafted by the Erie Otters in the thirteenth round that year. Eight of those players, including NHL prospects Ben Danford and Jared Wooley have gone on to play in the OHL.
"We had an exceptional team," Kuipers said. "We had a good coaching staff and we connected. I'm not really surprised at how well we've done because we were such good people as well as players. A lot of people have moved to the next level, and others are doing great things beyond hockey, so it's been good."
With the Golden Hawks, Kuipers has his sights set on a national championship and plans to use his OHL experience to elevate his game further.
"Playing at the faster pace up there gives me confidence to come back down and use it," he said."
Since his return to the lineup, Kuipers has 11 points in nine games. As he continues his strong season with Trenton, Thomas had remained focused on achieving his goals and growing as a player.
"It obviously adds to the resume. It's just another thing that builds it up," he said. "There's still a lot of work to do, and a national championship would help a lot, so that's what I'm looking forward to."
With 13 goals and 18 assists in 36 games, Kuipers has been a major part of the Golden Hawks' success this year. Trenton has a 37-5-2-0 record this season. The club has reached the league finals in each of the past two seasons.
Â
Kuipers experience at the next level will serve him well throughout the stretch drive and playoffs.
Comments