Hearty return home from Centennial Cup for Golden Hawks

The Trenton Golden Hawks received a grand welcome home from western Canada on Victoria Day Monday.

More than 100 supporters honked noisemakers, chanted ‘Go Hawks Go’ cheered the players and staff as they arrived at the Duncan McDonald Community Gardens after a long trip home following a semifinal exit at the Centennial Cup over the weekend.

A happy, but exhausted group of Golden Hawks streamed off the bus to embrace the fans that have had their backs for parts of the last nine months, fuelling them to a Top 4 finish in Canada.

Hawks owner Shawn Hicks said this welcome home party was fitting for a deserving team such as this year’s group.

“It’s a world class organization, from the players to the coaches to the fans. Just so fun to be part of. It was such a great season, such a great run, and we’re really building something special.”

“The boys had a great time, persevered through so much this season.  It’s a long season.  We played two-and-a-half-months more than some teams and I’m super proud of how all the boys stuck with the plan.”

Hicks also thanked team sponsors for putting their money behind the Hawks all season.

Director of Business Operations Tracey Legault-Davis said immediately after getting off the bus how proud she was not only of the team’s play on the ice, but also their courtesy off it.

“On many occasions I had volunteers and residents tell us how amazing our boys were, how polite they were, how respectful our community was,” she expressed.

“We represented better than you can even imagine. We didn’t bring home the whole (Centennial) Cup, but our cup is more than half full.”

Game day watch parties ended up being a huge hit with everyone involved.

By the end of five games, volunteers had collected around 1,000 pounds of food from more than 1,100 fans who filed into the Kinsmen Bar.

$1,300 was also raised through 50/50 draws to go toward charities, groups, and social organizations and their work in the Quinte West community.

Game Day Coordinator John Racioppo said that love and support was felt all the way out in Cowtown.

“Being in here, we had more fans here than (Calgary) did in some of the preliminary games there, which is not a knock on them, it’s just a big thumbs up to our fans. We were at 303 capacity here, and we had 303 people, maybe a couple more every night.

Head coach Derek Smith, who returned to one of his former NHL homes for the tournament, praised that fantastic support from everyone right until the bitter end.

“It’s been great these last couple of weeks for us to be able to see the watch parties and how much you guys truly care about each and every individual on this team,” the coach acknowledged.

“This community is so special, from the first game all the way to the end of the season, we set an attendance record this year, which is great. We had great support on the road.”

“Pulling in today was phenomenal, seeing everybody here. For the 20-year-olds, the guys that are graduating, this is the last really amazing memory that they’re going to have for the rest of their life.”

“We couldn’t have been here without you guys. You guys really are the best fanbase in the league,” he said.

The event finished with some photo and autograph opportunities and a brief awards ceremony, with assistant coach Tyler Longo presenting Top Forward, Top Defenceman, Team MVP, Humanitarian of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

Top Forward/MVP- David Fournier

Top Defenceman- Kyloe Ellis

Rookie of the Year- Matthew Soulliere

Humanitarian of the Year- Brady Spry

The Hawks finished the season with an overall record (regular season, playoffs and Centennial Cup) of 66-11-2-2.