Golden Hawks chasing their third consecutive conference title, begin the regular season at home against the Cobourg Cougars on September 6th
The Trenton Golden Hawks have officially released their schedule for the 2024-25 regular season, as the franchise looks to secure a third consecutive Eastern conference championship.
The schedule is once again replete with inter-conference matchups that highlight some of the best local rivalries in the OJHL, including four-game series against both the Cobourg Cougars and Wellington Dukes.
Also notable is a rematch of the league finals against the champion Collingwood Blues at the Governors' Showcase in Niagara Falls. The event will also serve as an opportunity for scouts to view the Golden Hawks' best players as they demonstrate their skills and high-end potential.
Detailed Schedule Breakdown
For the Golden Hawks the schedule, which will begin at the Duncan McDonald Memorial on Friday, September 6th, against the Cobourg Cougars, consists of several key road contests and home stands that could define their season.
Opponents and Structure: The conference alignment for the 2024-25 season remains unchanged, with each team playing a 56-game schedule. This includes 27 home games and 27 away games, plus an additional two appearances at the Gale Centre for the Governors' Showcase.
Game Days: The regular season will feature games spread throughout the week, with a significant concentration of contests on the weekend to help accommodate fans, volunteers and student-athletes.
The breakdown of games by day of the week is as follows:
Monday: 3 games
Tuesday: 7 games
Wednesday: 0 games
Thursday: 2 games
Friday: 23 games
Saturday: 10 games
Sunday: 11 games
Matinee Games: The Golden Hawks will participate in a total of fifteen afternoon games, with four hosted at the Duncan Memorial Gardens, while two will take place at the Gale Centre during the Governors' Showcase.
Busiest and Lightest Months: February is slated to be the busiest month for the Golden Hawks, with eleven games that will be crucial for solidifying their standings and building momentum heading into the playoffs. In contrast, September and December are lighter months, with only eight games scheduled.
Playoff Structure: The top eight teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs, which begin on March 7th. The championship series is slated to conclude by May 1st, with the league champions earning the right to represent the OJHL at the 2025 Centennial Cup.
Preseason: Before the regular season begins, the Golden Hawks will start their exhibition schedule with an away game against the Lindsay Muskies on Thursday, August 22nd. Trenton will then host the Nepean Raiders (CCHL) at the Duncan Memorial Gardens the following evening, giving fans an early glimpse of the team's roster.
The Golden Hawks will also participate in the Cottage Cup Showcase, which will be hosted by the Collingwood Blues from August 27-29 at the newly opened Wasaga Stars Arena. This annual preseason event, organized in partnership with the OJHL, will feature eight teams: Trenton, Collingwood, the Leamington Flyers, Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Buffalo Jr. Sabres, Germany’s Jungadler Mannheim U20, and NOJHL teams Powassan Voodoo and Timmins Rock.
League Events
Governors' Showcase: This annual event, one of North America's largest junior hockey showcases, will take place from September 23rd to 25th at the state-of-the-art Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It will attract over 150 scouts from collegiate, junior and professional levels.
Battle of Ontario: The OJHL, in partnership with the CCHL, will introduce a new "Battle of Ontario" for this season's All-Star and Prospects games. This event, set for November 12th to 13th in Smiths Falls, Ontario, will showcase the top talent from both leagues in front of scouts and fans.
Over-age Showcase: In a new initiative, the top 20-year-old players in the OJHL will compete in a series of exhibition games against the Toronto Metropolitan University Bold and the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on January 4th and 5th at the Mattamy Athletic Centre and Campus Ice Centre.
For more information on the Trenton Golden Hawks and the full league schedule, visit the OJHL website.
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