Penney built for championship hockey

Photo credit: Trenton Golden Hawks

It didn’t take Josh Penney long to get used to change. Born in Scotland and raised in British Columbia and Odessa, the overage centreman now anchors a line for the nationally ranked Trenton Golden Hawks.

“I love the community,” Penney said. “It’s been great to me so far. This is my second year on a nationally ranked program, and I’ve got nothing but great things to say about the city, and the coaching staff.”

Penney brings championship experience from the CCHL, where won the league's top prize with the Rockland Nationals last season.

The Golden Hawks finished first in the Eastern Conference for a third straight season with a 45-9-0-2 record. The defending Buckland Cup champions will begin their playoffs against the Lindsay Muskies on Friday night.

“The biggest thing about championships is staying together,” he said. “Depth wins championships. Family wins championships. It’s about making sure everyone feels involved, even guys not in the lineup.”

Since arriving in Trenton at the trade deadline, Penney has produced offensively with nine goals and 24 points in 17 games.

Penney skates alongside hometown captain Thomas Kuipers and winger Isaiah Shantz. The trio holds down a middle-six role in Trenton, but recognizes that on other squads they could form a top offensive unit.

“Most teams, guys in our role could be top-line players,” he said. “That shows how deep this team is.”

Penney’s team-first approach helped him win a provincial title in minor hockey with the Abbotsford Hawks before moving east. His consistency has helped him navigate new cities, teams, and systems.

“The biggest thing in life is controlling what you can and keeping your head high,” he said. “I think my younger self would be proud of the man I’ve become.”

Though much of his family remains in the U.K., Penney considers himself Canadian. His next step is university hockey, most likely with a USports program, paired with a business or finance degree.

For now, Penney’s focus is on Trenton and bringing a championship home. 

“Let’s bring a Centennial Cup here,” he said. “It would mean a lot.”