Spitfires Jalen Chatfield watches London Knights Max Domi in OHL action at WFCU Centre Thursday January 29, 2015. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)
Arizona Coyotes prospect Max Domi of the London Knights is the 2014-15 recipient of the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy.
Domi, the son of former NHLer Tie Domi of Belle River, was chosen for the award by a media selection committee as the OHL team captain that best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice, with a passion and dedication to the game of hockey and his community that Renaud demonstrated as captain of the Spitfires.
“I never had the privilege of playing against Mickey Renaud, I’ve only heard what a tremendous individual he was both on and off the ice,” Domi said. “It’s an incredible honour to receive this award. I try to be a good role model for our younger players and for our incredible fans in London.”
A four-year member of the Knights, Domi led by example during his tenure as captain this season helping a young and inexperienced team finish third in the OHL’s Western Conference while producing the best offensive season of his career recording 102 points in 57 games.
The 20-year-old from Toronto also helped Canada win gold on home ice at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship where he was named the tournament’s top forward.
Domi reached out to young hockey players in the London community who are Type-1 diabetic and spent time getting to know them and their families after practices and games.
“Growing up and being diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes, I idolized Bobby Clarke who had a successful NHL career and was also a diabetic,” added Domi. “I strive every day to be that role model for kids growing up with diabetes now. I want every kid growing up with this disease to know that having diabetes hasn’t slowed me down and it doesn’t have to slow them down either.”
Domi is the seventh recipient of the award following Matt Finn of the Guelph Storm who received the award last season, Colin Miller (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 2013), Andrew Agozzino (Niagara IceDogs 2012), Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires 2011), John Kurtz (Sudbury Wolves 2010), and Chris Terry of the Plymouth Whalers who won the inaugural award for the 2008-09 season.
The Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy will be formally presented to Domi at the OHL Awards Ceremony on Tuesday June 9 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.