The Trenton Golden Hawks have seen major success over the last dozen years.
It has included multiple Central Canadian Championships (Dudley Hewitt Cup), a pair league titles (Buckland Cup), regular season crowns, and lots of deep playoff runs.
Over that stretch, the Hawks have had six different coaches.
Connor Armour comes to Trenton as the new Head Coach and General Manager.
He is fresh off being named the OJHL Coach of the Year with the Pickering Panthers.
Joining him is Assistant Mark MacAulay, who has not only spent several years working with Armour (Pickering and Cobourg), but they are also former teammates.
Armour says Trenton has a lot going for it.
“Just has such a rich history. Trenton’s always had competitive teams, championship teams. I think that’s the expectations that our fans expect.”
He says they are going to balance winning and development.
“We’re going to be competitive. We’re going to have an exciting brand of hockey on the ice as well. So, it’s going to be fast-paced, physical. It’s not going to be fun for opposing teams coming into Trenton on Friday nights.”
Armour adds says that mindset begins at the top.
“It stems from ownership, first and foremost. If you don’t have good ownership, I don’t think either of those things are possible, development or winning. I do think two things can be true in that regard, where there is a balance and it’s more about allowing these players to play and have confidence in the way they play.”
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Connor Armour #22 of the Cobourg Cougars faces off against Brady Wiffen #94 of the Trenton Golden Hawks (Photo: Catherine Reid / OJHL Images)
“I know from playing as a player in this rink, as an opponent and coaching as an opponent, to the fans’ credit here, it feels like the seats are falling inward on you when you’re on that other bench. For us to come in here, we’re pretty excited to use that to our advantage.”
(Cobourg) Mark MacAulay battles for a puck at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens in Trenton (Photo: Amy Deroche / OJHL Images)
MacAulay says the job of coaching has changed from when he first started playing and it is critical to be flexible.
“It’s definitely changed, even from when we played. Played for some coaches that had a lot of non-negotiable’s, and it might just be the way that that message is getting through to the players now. I find different players have different things that that works for them.”
Returning for another season for the Hawks are Logan Bennett, Kale Mace, Beckett Ewart, Hayden Jeffrey, Mason Musclow, and Wyatt Gregory, with more announcements expected in the coming days.
(L) Mark MacAulay and Connor Armour look at their tablet for a possible goal review on March 6, 2026 (Photo: Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images)
