BY RON VALENTINE OJHL.ca
Photo: MILTMILTON, ON: Taeo Artichuk of the Trenton Golden Hawks celebrates the OJHL championship-winning goal during the first overtime period at the Milton Memorial Arena on April 30, 2025. (Photo by Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images)
The Ontario Junior Hockey League champs begin play Thursday against the Northern Manitoba Blizzard
The Trenton Golden Hawks winged their way to Calgary and the 2025 Centennial Cup national Jr. A championship yesterday.
The Ontario Junior Hockey League champs begin play Thursday against the Northern Manitoba Blizzard. Puck drops at 2 p.m. ET. Back home in Trenton, Golden Hawks fans are being invited to viewing par
The event, featuring nine regional champions from across Canada and the host Calgary Canucks, runs from May 8-18.
Here is a closer look at the Golden Hawks’ roster.
First, the 11 players listed on the Trenton roster who are in their final year of junior eligibility, all born in 2004:
Former Wellington Duke CORBIN ROACH (No. 8) was named captain of the team for this season. The native of Belleville, ON has accumulated a total of 238 regular season and playoff points during his four-year OJHL career. He posted a 59-point regular season including a league-high of 7 shorthanded goals and added another 26 points in the playoffs in 21 games. Corbin was named to team Rodrigues in the Battle of Ontario and to Team Hawerchuk at the Eastern Canada Cup in 2023-24. In 2020 he was a 12th round draft pick by the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL priority selection. He is a lead-by-example guy who always puts the team first.
DAVID FOURNIER (No. 88) had a 1.67 points-per-game average during the regular campaign finishing at 92, including 42 goals, 10 multiple goal games, good for second place in overall OJHL pointgetting. Born in the Montreal suburb of Blainville, the 5-foot-7 forward just completed his third season as a Golden Hawk, accumulating 224 points all told. Like Roach he was also on Team Rodriguez this season. David was drafted by his hometown Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the 2020 QMJHL entry draft. David missed five playoff games but still contributed 14 points.
It’s No. 4’s first season as a ‘Hawk: defenceman AARON BROWN from Belleville was acquired mid-season from the BCHL’s Blackfalds Bulldogs and put up 19 points in 28 games. In the 2021-22 season, Aaron suited up for the Wellington Dukes before moving to the USHL. The big blueliner has also had stints with the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals and the Brooks Bandits. In minor hockey, like so many current members of the squad, he played in the Quinte Red Devils organization. He was drafted by the OHL’s Flint Firebirds in Round 3, 52nd overall in 2020.
Goalkeeper BRADY SPRY (No. 1) had a strong regular season with a 2.60 goals-against average in 28 games while winning 21 of them. Another Belleville native and graduate from the Quinte Red Devils, he played two games as a callup for the Dukes from the PJHL’s Picton Pirates over two seasons and in 2023-24 he appeared in 22 games posting a .925 save percentage. Ready to step in when needed, Brady is a reliable puck-stopper.
Another Belleville-born player on the squad is COOPER MATTHEWS (No. 28). The talented forward played two-plus seasons for the OHL’s Barrie Colts, who drafted him in the third round (48th overall) in 2020. In the 2023-24 campaign he had 40 points in 24 appearances. Cooper had 51 points in 44 contests this season including seven game-winning goals. In the postseason he put up 18 points, including a club-leading 12 goals and he had five of the team’s 11 goals with the man-advantage.
Brantford’s KYLOE ELLIS (No. 94) patrolled the blueline this season, his second with the club, and accounted for 41 points. He previously played in the USPHL for the Atlanta Mad Hatters and in 2022-23 for the Greater Sudbury Cubs, who will be the one of the Golden Hawks’ opponents at the Centennial Cup. He was voted NOJHL rookie of the year there. Kyloe has committed to U SPORTS’ Ontario Tech Ridgebacks for next season. He had 14 power-play assists this year.
Fellow defenceman TREVOR MCDOWELL (12) previously captained the Brantford 99ers (now King Rebellion) in the OJHL. In 2022-23, he was traded to Wellington and the following season played 45 games for the OHL’s North Bay Battalion. In the 2020 OHL draft he was selected by the Windsor Spitfires in the fourth round. Known primarily as a defensive specialist, Trevor contributed three goals and nine points in the playoffs.
Another last-year defenceman is SAMI DOUGLAS-NAJEM (No. 55) who played for Trentonbfrom 2021-23 while seeing time with the OHL’s NIagara iceDogs. Another Belleville-born player, he played this season for the GOJHL’s Jr. B Caledonia Corvairs before being called back to Trenton for seven playoff games. In 2022, Sami was selected for the OJHL top prospects game.
One more last-year blueliner is OWEN MCKINNON (No. 24). In 2021-22 he was a member of the PJHL’s Jr. C Clarington Eagles. The following season saw him suiting up for the GOJHL’s London Nationals. In 2023-24, he joined the Cobourg Cougars and the following year he scored his only two OJHL goals with the Lindsay Muskies. Keeping opposing forwards honest is what Owen does best.
The event, featuring nine regional champions from across Canada and the host Calgary Canucks, runs from May 8-18.
OWEN IRETON (No. 10) played 24 games for the Golden Hawks in 2023-24 notching 19 points. The PJHL’s Ayr Centennials forward also played in the OJHL for the Markham Royals. He was called up for one playoff game.
DEVIN MAURO (No. 28) is from Sault Ste. Marie and played for the NOJHL’s Blind River Beavers in 2020-21. He moved to the Golden Hawks for the following campaign netting 19 points in 21 appearances. The following season Devin split his time between the NOJHL’s Espanola Eagles and the NOJHL’s Sudbury Wolves where he played in 2023-24. This season, back with Trenton the 5-foot-8 forward put up 60 points, good for third place on the club.
The 2005-born players on the roster:
RYAN SANBORN (No. 30) joined the club from the Jersey Hitmen, played his first game on Nov. 2 and then proceeded to reel off 17 straight victories. Born In Connecticut, Ryan played prep school hockey in New England. His GAA in the regular season was 1.76 with six shutouts and in the playoffs it was 1.97 with a save percentage of .935. Ryan’s only previous Canadian junior experience was with the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings in 2023-24. A stalwart campaign.
TAEO ARTICHUK (No. 6) had an outstanding regular season with 89 points that left him in third place in OJHL scoring. His 56 assists in his second season as a ‘Hawk were tops for the team as were his 9 game winners. In the playoffs he delivered 21 points in 20 games and four more deciding goals. In the regular season he had 11 multi-goal games. Born in Ajax ON, he spent two seasons with the OHL’s Erie Otters. He was selected for the Canada East squad in the World Jr A Challenge in the 2023-24 season as well as being on Team Oates and Team Rodrigues in the Eastern Canada Cup and Battle of Ontario, respectively.
JAMIE DARLISON (No. 27), from Whitby and a graduate of that town’s Wildcat minor hockey system, had a 46-point season in 2023-24 for the Pickering Panthers. He joined Trenton late in the campaign and accumulated 11 points in their playoffs. He started this season with Blackfalds in the BCHL and upon returning to the ‘Hawks he had 29 points in 28 games. Injury kept the 20-year-old out of nine playoff games. Jamie was a Hamilton Bulldogs pick in the 2021 OHL draft
SPENCER HUGHES (No. 17) from MIssissauga is in his first OJHL season after appearing with the French River Rapids of the NOJHL, the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos and the Grande Prairie Storm of the AJHL. The latter will be a Trenton opponent in the Centennial Cup. Spencer was a Mississauga Steelheads selection in the 2021 OHL draft. He had a 35-point regular season.
ETHAN QUICK (No. 22) was born in Trenton and was called up to the ‘Hawks for the playoffs, appearing in eight games and putting up four points. He started his OJHL career in Wellington and he has played for the OHL’s Barrie Colts, Ottawa 67’s and Peterborough Petes. Ethan had a 72-point season for the GOJHL’s Jr. B Caledonia Corvairs.
NATE TAYLOR (No. 17) from Whitby started out this season as captain of the Lindsay Muskies. He moved to the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals and then returned to the OJHL with Trenton in early January, contributing 11 points in 14 games.
The 2006s…
Committed to NCAA Princeton University for the 2026–27 season MATTHEW SOULIERE (No. 18) had a strong campaign for the club with 49 points in 42 games, but was only able to play in nine games in the playoffs due to injury. He had his first OJHL hat trick in October versus Wellington. Matthew was dressed for 10 games for the Ottawa 67’s and scored his first OHL goal. The 6-foot-3 forward is a former Strathroy Rocket. He was selected to play this season for Team Canada East at the World Jr. A Challenge and for Team Rodrigues in the Battle of Ontario. He was named OJHL East Conference player of the month for September 2024 posting 14 points in eight games.
THOMAS KUIPERS (No. 14) calls Carrying Place, located just south of Trenton, home. He made six appearances this season with the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads while posting 36 points in his second term as a “Hawk. Thomas really came through in the postseason with 18 points including nine goals, two of which were game-winners. He was a Team Tanev member in the Battle of Ontario. He was selected by the Erie Otters in the OHL draft of 2022.
ISAIAH SHANTZ (No. 19) is from the Waterloo-area community of Hawkesville. He was a trade deadline acquisition from the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. He played 16 games without a goal. Jump to the playoffs and the tall forward got six, including four in the second-round series with the Stouffville Spirit. Isaiah played Jr. B hockey for the Elmira Sugar Kings. His elder brother, Jeriah, played for the team in 2022-23 and last season was a member of the Oakville Blades, the host of the Centennial Cup.
A famous name in hockey, JAXON BRODA (No. 7), defenceman, is from Wellesley ON. He started his junior career as a Stratford Warrior in the GOJHL where he was a teammate of Joey Brehmer. Jaxon had a goal and 13 points in the regular season and followed that up with a strong playoff effort with two goals and nine points in 19 contests.
DYLAN WOULDS (No. 13) played his first game for the Golden Hawks mid-January. The defenceman from Oakville arrived from the Calgary Canucks, this year’s Centennial Cup hosts and AJHL champions. He played in 14 regular season and 17 playoff games and is still looking for his first OJHL goal to go with his 11 assists. Dylan was selected in 2022 by the Peterborough Petes in the OHL Priority Selection.
Also on defence, Calgary native REED PETTIPAS (No. 19) played 33 regular season games and three in the postseason. He was a 2022 draft pick of the QMJHL’s Saint John’s Sea Dogs. He is a graduate of New York state’s Millbrook prep school.
JOEY BREHMER (No. 91) hails from Waterloo ON. He joined the team this season after playing with Stratford in the GOJHL. He scored three playoff goals to go with his 10 in the regular season. Joey also played a game for the Sudbury Wolves and has committed to NCAA Division I Lake Superior State University for the 2026-27 season.
London’s MASON LANDRY (NO. 51) came to the club this season from the Leamington Flyers playing in his first game in early December against Wellington. He had five goals for Trenton, 10 in total. Graduating from his hometown Knights’ minor hockey system he had 24 goals and 41 points in 2023-24 for the GOJHL’s Strathroy Rockets.
JAXON PIERCE (No. 14) a 5-foot-8 centre, played in a single playoff game but scored a winning goal in the final against Milton. In the regular campaign Jaxon, from Fredericton NB and a former captain at Stansted College Varsity, had 18 points in 41 contests.
Sylvania, Ohio’s JONATHON PYLYPUIK (No. 25) brought his physical style to the ‘Hawks in January. He scored his first OJHL goal in the playoffs against Stouffville. A former Oshawa General, he came to the club from Blackfalds. Jonathon’s uncle, Jay is the GM/head coach of the MJHL’s Winnipeg Freeze.
GAGE BUTCHER (No. 9) was born in Trenton and played 17 games this season with the club. He had 18 points in 17 games with the Jr. C Frankford Huskies.
The 2007s:
Blueliner CANDON O’NEILL (No. 16) like Mauro, hails from Sault Ste. Marie ON. He had a strong 30-point first season. He also suited up for the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. Candon played for the NOJHL West team in the 2023-24 Eastern Canada Cup and for Team Hyman in the Battle of Ontario this season. In 2023-24, he was a Soo Thunderbird.
Another member of the Belleville ON clan EVAN ERWIN (No. 12) played 23 games this season, scoring four goals and adding five assists, and had a successful post season with the Hawks’ Jr. C affiliate Frankford Huskies.
The youngster, 2008-born MATTHEW HICKS (No. 44). Hicks patrols the blueline and appeared in 35 regular season games. The Trenton native, like so many other players on the team, is a former Quinte Red Devil.
Follow Ron Valentine on X @ronandlynda