Trevor McDowell has always prided himself on being a reliable defenceman. Now, as he enters his over-age season with the Trenton Golden Hawks, he brings valuable experience from his stint with the North Bay Battalion.
Reflecting on his time in the OHL, McDowell looks back on a season that had championship aspirations. The Battalion finished with a 38-20-7-2 record, securing the Emms Trophy as Central Division champions for a third consecutive year.
Although McDowell wasn’t initially on their radar, his steady play caught the attention of the Battalion's management. In 23 games with the Golden Hawks, he registered one goal and eight assists, before transitioning to major junior in November.
"They originally came to scout someone else, and I always try to play my best every night because you never know who’s watching,” McDowell said. “That was a perfect example. They reached out, and within a week, I was in North Bay."
While the Battalion’s drive to win a title left an impression on McDowell, he sees significant similarities in Trenton another organization with a history of recent achievement. The Golden Hawks are currently chasing their third straight Eastern Conference title.
“They were all dialed in to win a championship," he said. "Similar to us, they were an older group with a strong core, and they worked really hard toward winning. We need to bring that same mentality here and run with it.”
As he returns to Trenton, McDowell is excited to play for a franchise that embraces that same mindset.
His success has been supported by his coaches and teammates, starting in his youth with the Quinte Red Devils, where he played alongside NHL prospects Owen Beck and Dalyn Wakely.
"I didn’t really know what to expect at first, but we ended up winning silver in my first year. From there, we kept winning," he said. "We had a high standard, and that’s something I’ve carried with me ever since."
"I was fortunate to have a great core of guys, and many of us went on to play junior hockey. The coaches played a big role in getting me to the next level, and they’re a huge part of why I’m here."
As McDowell embarks on his second season with the Golden Hawks, the native of Bancroft is excited to reunite with former minor hockey teammates Corbin Roach, Cooper Matthews and Brady Spry.
McDowell is also grateful for the communities he has played in, expressing his appreciation for both Trenton and North Bay.
"Sometimes you get into bigger centers, and they don't really support their junior teams, but here, you definitely feel the support every night. It was similar in North Bay—a smaller community that really loved their team, and they packed the barn. That’s what they do here."
Throughout his junior career, McDowell has established himself as a shutdown defender. This season, he is ready to step into a prominent leadership role, sharing his experiences as he strives for a Buckland Cup.
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