The Ontario Junior Hockey League is proud to announce that Thomas Kuipers of the Trenton Golden Hawks has been named the recipient of the 2025-26 OJHL Humanitarian of the Year Award. Kuipers, a Trenton native and the team’s co-assistant captain, earned the distinction through an extraordinary commitment to his community both on and off the ice throughout the season.
A product of Quinte West Minor Hockey, Kuipers stepped into a leadership role this season as the team’s primary liaison for community outreach, coordinating all Golden Hawks initiatives, alongside Business Director Tracey Legault Davis.
“As a player who grew up watching the Golden Hawks, it was really important to Thomas to be engaged in his community like the players who influenced him were,’ said Leagult-Davis. “He is very much a hometown boy. He, along with his entire family, are part of the community and always looking to give back.”
Among the many initiatives Kuipers spearheaded this season, he organized and led the Trenton Golden Hawks PA Day Camps, offering both on-ice and off-ice programming for players at the U16 level. He worked the drive-thru and sold Smile Cookies at Tim Hortons Camp Day, raising funds for children’s charities in the region. Kuipers also made monthly visits to Prince Charles Primary School throughout the season, reading to students and serving as a positive role model for young fans. Beyond that, he proudly represented the Golden Hawks in the Trenton Santa Claus Parade, appeared in a commercial for local business Lang and Fetter Ford, and helped raise funds for the new Centre Movie Theatre in Trenton.
“As a Trenton native and former Quinte West minor hockey player, he is a respected member of this community,” said Derek Smith, General Manager of the Trenton Golden Hawks. “Thomas has taken tremendous pride in giving his time back to the community,”
“It’s the little things, and with Thomas, when he’s at the rink for practice he always stops for the fans. It’s so spectacular, especially for the young fans when he takes time to talk to every single one of them” – Tracey Legault-Davis.
Kuipers, in his third season with the Golden Hawks, signed with the Brampton Steelheads of the OHL in December 2024.
The OJHL Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership and service to his community. This season, Thomas Kuipers set a remarkable standard – not just as a captain on the ice, but as a role model for what junior hockey can mean to a community.
The OJHL congratulates Thomas Kuipers, the Trenton Golden Hawks, and the entire Trenton community on this well-deserved recognition.
Thomas will be honoured along with the other OJHL award recipients at a ceremony during the OJHL Championship Series in April.
The OJHL is announcing its 2025-26 award winners throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs.
