Congratulations to both Simon Garratt and Thomas
Kelly for being granted the 2024-25 Ron Wilkins Memorial Award! Both
athletes have proven to be positive role models to all our Burlington Eagles
players both on and off the ice, and we are very proud to be able to grant both
this award.
Thomas Kelly
Thomas Kelly’s career with the Burlington Eagles is marked
by a steadfast commitment to his teammates, his sport, and his community. A
dedicated member of the organization for five years, Thomas concluded his minor
hockey in 2025 as a member of U18 AA Gold Eagles team. During his time with
Burlington Eagles, he was recognized by coaches and peers alike for his
dedication to embodying the values of the organization both on and off the ice.
Thomas’s influence has always extended to the next
generation of players. From 2021 to 2023, he served as an On-Ice Assistant at
the Center Ice Training Academy, where he helped young athletes find their
footing in the game and develop essential skills. His leadership was equally
evident in his academic and multi-sport life at Corpus Christi, where he
competed on both the Varsity Hockey and Varsity Lacrosse teams while
consistently maintaining a place on the Honour Roll.
Beyond the rink, Thomas has made community service a
cornerstone of his identity. Since 2019, he has been a consistent participant
in the Eagles’ "Gift of Giving Back" food drive and has extended his
impact through volunteer work with a variety of community organizations. As the
proud recipient of the 2025 Corpus Christi Graduate Leadership Award, Thomas is
currently attending Huron University, where he is pursuing a degree in
Political Science as the foundation for a future career in law. As he continues
this academic chapter, he carries forward his path as a "Leader with
Heart," upholding the values of dedication and integrity instilled in him
by the Burlington Eagles.
Simon Garratt
Simon Garratt is a
dedicated student and athlete, who was actively involved with the Burlington
Eagles Hockey Club. Simon started playing with the Eagles as a Junior Eagle at
the age of 6 and completed his grade 12 year during the 2024-25 season as
Captain of his U18AA team. Throughout his Eagles hockey career, Simon’s
dedication, work ethic, and commitment to his teammates and coaches was evident
through his competitive play and his true passion for the game. Proudly wearing
the Eagles jersey and being a part of the organization has allowed Simon to
develop a strong work ethic, resilience, and leadership skills that he will
take with him into his next phase of life.
Over the years, Simon’s dedication to the Eagles community
has been evident through his consistent enthusiasm and participation in the
“Gift of Giving Back” campaigns and through his commitment to the Eagles as an
official and refereeing for the organization. Being able to give back to the
organization as an on-ice official is something that he finds extremely
rewarding and he has been recognized by being selected to represent the Eagles
at referee scouting showcases. Simon has been actively involved in volunteer
initiatives throughout his years as an Eagle with organizations that he holds
close to his heart, helping kids and those less fortunate in our communities.
Simon’s dedication to excellence and leadership extends
beyond the rink. Simon completed his grade 12 year as an Ontario Scholar and
has been accepted to the University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Commerce program,
majoring in Sport and Event Management. While achieving excellent academic
results, Simon was active on multiple sports teams at Nelson High School,
playing football, hockey, and lacrosse. He was recognized for his athletic
achievements on the field and on the ice by being named Nelson High School’s Male
Athlete of the Year for the graduating class of 2025.
Through his participation in competitive hockey, Simon takes
with him a strong sense of teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills.
Receiving this scholarship is an honour and he thanks the organization for
their recognition. He will always look fondly on his years playing for the
Burlington Eagles Hockey Club.
The Ron Wilkins Memorial Scholarship
Ron Wilkins was a founder and President of the Burlington City Rep Hockey Club.
Established in 1996 in the spirit of Ron's dedication to minor hockey and his
love of young people, the Ron Wilkins Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually
by the BCRHC Executive to a deserving graduating Under-18 athlete.