OHL award for Tim Lukenda
The Ontario Hockey League has singled out Soo Greyhounds president and governor Tim Lukenda as the inaugural recipient of the David Branch Leader of the Year award.
The award — established in recognition of former OHL commissioner David Branch, who spent 45 years working in the league’s main office before retiring in 2024 — will be given each year to an OHL executive who exemplifies leadership, work ethic, commitment, and dedication.
“It is a true honour to receive an award named after someone I have such great respect and admiration for,” relayed Lukenda. “The Soo Greyhounds are a proud member of the Ontario Hockey League and it is a privilege to represent the organization on the OHL board of governors while contributing in any way I can to the league’s bright future.”
Lukenda, who is the first person in Greyhounds history to serve as chair of the OHL’s board of governors, has been a member of the board since 2017. Lukenda has also served on the OHL’s executive council as secretary treasurer since 2019.
“Tim has done a tremendous amount of work and contributed a great deal of his time to not only the Soo Greyhounds, but to the Ontario Hockey League as a whole this past year,” relayed current OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford. “As chairman of the board of governors, Tim has been a valuable resource in the transition from David Branch’s leadership throughout my first full season in the role of commissioner. It is only fitting that he receive this award, named in recognition of David, with the tremendous leadership he has demonstrated.”
Lukenda’s involvement with the Greyhounds spans considerable time. His father, the late Dr. Lou Lukenda, acquired majority ownership of the OHL team back in 2001.