by – David McPherson
Cambridge, ON – 21 years, five months and 19 days. That was Donald Sanderson’s age when, on January 2, 2009, the OHA player passed away peacefully at Hamilton General Hospital surrounded by family.
During a Senior hockey game several weeks before between his Whitby Dunlops and the Brantford Blast, the rookie defenceman incurred a serious head injury during an on-ice fight when his helmet dislodged and Donald’s head landed hard on the ice—falling unconscious and into a coma that he never came out of.
The tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world and raised issues regarding rules regarding helmets and other safety protocols. The legacy Donald left is remembered today with an annual award that honors his spirit. The OHA created the Donald Sanderson Memorial Award for Academic Excellence and Character in 2009 working with the Sanderson family.
“I’m forever grateful to the OHA for this award that honors my son’s memory,” says Donald’s mother Dahna.
On—and off—-the ice, Donald followed the credo: “live well, love well and laugh often.” The values inherent in this life philosophy guided the Sanderson family in determining the criteria to pick the winner of this memorial award. Recipients must exude the following four characteristics Donald epitomized: dedication, discipline, desire, and deportment.
The scholarship was born from coffee conversations the Sanderson family had with the OHA in the days and weeks following Donald’s death. The idea was two-fold: to honor, as his mother says her son, “whose heart was so large,” and to keep conversations surrounding issues like on-ice safety, rule changes, equipment enhancements, and concussion protocols a priority.
An honors student, Donald loved hockey, but always balanced athletics with academics. He was a Kinesiology student at York University when he passed away and York honored Donald with his degree posthumously. That’s why this OHA award bestows a $1,000 bursary annually to help the winner pursue their dreams beyond the ice.
Every spring, when this award—along with a similar one created for a student at Donald’s high school—is handed out, it’s bittersweet for the Sanderson family, bringing smiles and tears. “He is always there,” says Dahna, “but this time of year surrounding the announcement and the awarding of his memorial scholarship is especially hard.”
Do you think you know someone who is deserving of the award for the 2024-2025 season? Apply NOW by clicking HERE
The OHA Awards Ceremony occurs at the OHA Annual General Meeting on June 7th in Cambridge, ON.
Past recipients of the Donald Sanderson Memorial Award:
2009-10 Cody Loeffen, Port Colborne Pirates (GOJHL)
2010-11 Brian Valentine, Aylmer Spitfires (SOJHL)
2011-12 Tyler Crawford, Owen Sound Greys (GOJHL)
2012-13 Jacob Baribeau, Dorchester Dolphins (SOJHL)
2013-14 Marc Williams, Kitchener Dutchmen (GOJHL)
2014-15 Lucas Triemstra, Ancaster Avalanche (GOJHL)
2015-16 Jerry Ennett, New Hamburg Firebirds (MWJCHL)
2016-17 Eric Oosting, Lakefield Chiefs (PJHL)
2017-18 Ryan Casselman, Napanee Raiders (PJHL)
2018-19 David D’Agostino, Niagara Falls Canucks (GOJHL)
2019-20 Matthew Riva, Niagara Falls Canucks (GOJHL)
2020-21 [No award due to COVID-19)
2021-22 Michael Patrick, Port Hope Panthers (PJHL)
2022-23 Hayes Bell, Clarington Eagles (PJHL)
2023-24 Kenneth Wu, Aurora Tigers (OJHL)
About the Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) was founded on November 27, 1890, and is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior hockey in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is a Member Partner of the Ontario Hockey Federation which is one of thirteen Provincial and Regional Branches of Hockey Canada.
It is comprised of three Junior hockey leagues and two Senior hockey leagues: Junior A – Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior B – Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior C – Provincial Junior Hockey League, Senior –Allan Cup Hockey (AAA) and Ontario Elite Hockey League(AA). For the 2024-25 season, these five leagues encompass 125 teams.
The objectives of the OHA are to foster and encourage the sport of amateur hockey, to conduct competition in the various categories established, to determine teams for entry into the inter-branch competitions that may be provided by Hockey Canada, and to provide for the affiliation of other hockey organizations.
The OHA provides administrative resources, coordinates programs, services and events for hockey participants and provides support to various Development Programs for coaches, officials, trainers and players, Safety and Risk Management Issues and offers resources for Harassment and Abuse education.
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For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Chris McCleary
General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Ontario Hockey Association
