Since his arrival in Trenton, Dylan Woulds has not only found his stride offensively but has also brought a steadying presence defensively to the Golden Hawks.
The left-handed defenceman has recorded seven assists in 14 games, helping the club clinch the Brant Snow Memorial Trophy as regular-season champions with a 47-6-2-1 record.
Before joining the Golden Hawks, Woulds developed his game in his hometown of Burlington, starting with the Burlington Eagles AAA.
"It's a great hockey town," he said. "Most of my friends played. It’s a big city with a lot going on. For me and the other guys who have gone on to play in the OJHL or OHL, I find it pushes a lot of people. It's competitive. I think it makes you closer. You'll fight here and there, but you get better at the same time. It makes it fun."
He eventually moved to the Greater Toronto Hockey League to play his minor midget season with the Markham Majors, where he was able to skate alongside some of the game's top young prospects, playing with both Liam Greentree and Zayne Parekh.
Parekh, a smooth-skating, high-scoring defenseman, was selected ninth overall by the Calgary Flames, while Greentree, a skilled power forward, was taken 26th by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Looking back on those days, Woulds appreciates the exposure and experience that came with playing alongside such elite talent.
"You learn from them. Those guys are exceptional at the game of hockey," he said. "You can’t take it for granted. Playing with them was honestly very cool. It's a great way to get exposure. Living in Burlington and still being able to move over, it was pretty special to play with those guys."
The Majors finished that season with a 17-6-5 record and qualified for the OHL Cup, where Woulds excelled, recording a goal, three helpers, and a plus-nine rating in six games.
His steady play on the backend caught the attention of the Peterborough Petes, who selected him in the 14th round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Last season, he appeared in 45 games with the Petes, focusing on his role as a reliable defender.
Before the 2024-25 season began, he was reassigned to the Calgary Canucks of the AJHL, where he played before being acquired by Trenton at the trade deadline.
"It was very exciting," he said of the trade. "I was nothing but happy to get that call. I wasn’t too familiar with the OJHL since I was in Alberta, but I knew Trenton was having a strong season. When I looked into it and watched some games, I thought, Wow, they’re really good."
A passionate fanbase and the support of head coach Derek Smith have made Woulds' transition to Trenton easy.
"Derek has been nothing but awesome to me, and from everything I’ve experienced with him and the coaching staff, it’s been great," Woulds said. "The fans here are incredible. Not every team gets that kind of support, so playing in front of this community is awesome."
After achieving so much, Woulds is still hoping to help his new team reach new heights. Competing for provincial and national titles would be the ideal challenge for a blueliner who has already honed his skills against some of the best young talent in the game.
"It feels pretty good knowing what I've accomplished, and my hockey career is not done yet," he said.
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