WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks men's hockey program has completed its 2026-27 recruiting class with the addition of forward Connor Haynes, a skilled two-way centreman coming off a strong season in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Haynes, a 20-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., who grew up in Toronto, brings a combination of size, skill, and versatility to the Golden Hawks.

The 6'2", 196-pound left-shot forward spent the 2025-26 season with the Newmarket Hurricanes, recording 15 goals and 35 assists for 50 points in 42 regular season games. His point total ranked fourth on the team, while his 35 assists were second-most among Hurricanes skaters.

Haynes was equally productive in the postseason, collecting 19 points in 20 playoff games as Newmarket captured the OJHL Eastern Conference championship before falling to the Toronto Patriots in the Buckland Cup final.

Haynes was originally selected by the Niagara IceDogs in the fourth round, 65th overall, of the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

His junior hockey journey has taken him across several leagues. Following two seasons with the Hamilton Kilty B's, Haynes moved west to join the British Columbia Hockey League's Nanaimo Clippers before making a stop in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

From there, he made his Hurricanes debut last September to finish his final junior campaign.

"I chose Laurier because it felt like the right fit both on and off the ice," said Haynes. "It stood out as a perfect place to grow as a person and player.

"I'm looking forward to bringing a big, reliable two-way game that can contribute in every situation. I can't wait to get started and get to work."

Haynes will reunite with recent Hurricanes teammate Colin Maund, who is also part of Laurier's incoming recruiting class.

Laurier's manager of men's hockey operations and head coach Kevin Forrest said the addition addresses several key areas of focus for the program heading into next season.

"With one of our priorities this off-season being to add some size and offence at the centre position, we're thrilled to add Connor to our group," said Forrest.

"He's done exceptionally well on faceoffs throughout his career, another area we felt a need to improve upon from last season.

"He'll bring some added offence and size to our forward group and play a key role in some defensive scenarios as well, especially with his faceoff abilities. We were really impressed with what other coaches and teammates had to say about him."