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Ottawa Citizen

Greyhounds owner Tim Lukenda wins OHL's inaugural David Branch leadership award

Article content Soo Greyhounds president and governor Tim Lukenda was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the David Branch Leader of the Year Award on Friday morning, presented at the OHL's annual meeting of its board of governors at the JW Marriott Resort in the Muskoka Lakes. Article content Formerly known as the OHL Executive of the Year Award, the honour has not been presented since Mike Vellucci of the Plymouth Whalers won it following the 2012-13 season. The re-introduced award will be given each year to an OHL executive who exemplifies leadership, work ethic, commitment, and dedication. Article content Article content The honour was established in recognition of former commissioner David Branch, who spent 45 years working in the league's front office and retired last summer after first being named to the position in 1979. Article content Article content Lukenda, the first representative in Greyhounds history to serve as chairman of the OHL's board of governors, has been a member of the board since 2017 and has also served on the league's executive council as secretary treasurer since 2019. Article content 'Tim has done a tremendous amount of work and contributed a great deal of his time to not only the Soo Greyhounds, but the Ontario Hockey League as a whole this past year,' said OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford in a news release. 'As Chairman of the Board of Governors, he's 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.' Article content Lukenda's involvement with the Greyhounds spans decades. His father, Dr. Lou Lukenda, acquired majority ownership of the club in 2001, ensuring the club's continued presence in Sault Ste. Marie. Lukenda attended games at the old Sault Memorial Gardens during his youth, leading to his eventual ownership of the club.