Some of Devin Mauro's best hockey memories have come with the Trenton Golden Hawks.
After a season with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL, Mauro was thrilled to return to Quinte West for his final year of junior hockey with the Golden Hawks.
Being back with familiar faces and playing for an organization he respects has made the transition seamless.
The skilled forward has quickly settled in, tallying 10 goals and 14 assists in 22 games. His production has helped the Golden Hawks achieve an impressive 18-3-1-0 record, with a team showing the potential for a deep playoff run.
"Trenton is known to have a good team almost every year," he said. "So I'm lucky enough to be able to come back in my 20-year-old year and be on a team like this. Our record shows we have a good team. We have a good chance to win the whole thing."
"It’s nice being back and being able to put up points and have fun with an old team I used to play for."
Part of what drew him back to Trenton was the winning culture of the organization.
"It was a goal of mine to come back to Trenton," he said. "It’s an awesome place to play, a first-class organization, and with the new coaching change with Derek Smith, it was an easy decision to make to come back to Trenton."
His return to the Bay of Quinte region, has also brought back special memories for his family.
His parents, Tom and Rachel, saw both their sons skate with the Golden Hawks during the 2021-2022 season. That year, Devin was able to play alongside his brother, Justin, and contributed 41 points in 53 games.
"Not everyone gets a chance to play with a sibling," he said. "So when you get that opportunity for a team like this. It was awesome being able to do that.”
Growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, life often revolved around a busy hockey schedule for the Mauro brothers.
"Hockey was our whole lives. Growing up, he was always two years older, so I'd watch him play every game," he said. "I wanted to grow up and be just like him."
"Now, with him not playing anymore, he's telling me, You have a chance to do something great. Just keep working. Keep pushing yourself."
Devin understands how quickly time can fly by, especially in his last year of eligibility in the OJHL, but he’s taking it one game at a time.
"Seasons are long, they go fast, but it's a lot of games, and every game is important," he said. "You can't skip forward and hope for playoffs."
"It’s also my last year of junior hockey, so I’m hoping it goes a lot slower than it has been. So far, it's been going really fast. But, yeah, obviously our goal is a championship, but every game we play means something towards that."
While Mauro likes to stay in the moment, he can't help but look to the future and is hoping to keep his hockey journey alive, aiming to play college hockey and eventually professionally.
"My goal is to continue playing hockey after, go to school and play hockey, and then maybe try and find a professional league in Europe," he said. "You really can't complain about playing hockey."
Now billeting with the Amodeo family alongside teammate David Fournier, Mauro has been reintroduced to a welcoming community. With his speed skill and experience, he’s hoping to make his final junior season with the Golden Hawks one to remember.
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