The Ontario Hockey League has recognized Newmarket’s own Braden Haché for his leadership with the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy.
The OHL announced that Haché would be this year’s recipient of the award that goes to the player who best exemplifies leadership both on and off the ice. The Saginway Spirit overage defencemen captained his team, which made it to the Memorial Cup tournament this season.
“It’s an honour to receive this award,” Haché said in a news release. “This is a special group and organization, truly a family from the top down. Being named captain of the Spirit is something I’ve taken a ton of pride in, and we have a great group of leaders.”
The Newmarket native has done work supporting the cause of blood donation, as well as raising mental health awareness throughout his OHL career. He has also taken the lead on several speaking engagements in the lead-up to the Memorial Cup.
On the ice, he finished his fourth OHL season with 22 points in 65 games and a plus-27, along with seven points in 15 playoff games.
“We are very proud of Braden for winning this award and can’t imagine anyone more deserving than him,” Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill said. “He came into our training camp last year after the trade and instantly made a positive impression on everyone in the organization. Braden did everything we asked and more this year on and off the ice, and he was a great ambassador for both our team and our league.”
A late-round draft back in 2021 by the Florida Panthers, Haché is the first recipient of the award in Spirit franchise history.
The OHL will formally present him with the trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony June 12 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
