FEBRUARY 2009 | $4.95

ON A Q&A with , the NLL’s all-time ROLL leading scorer From hoisting the to winning the NCAA championship, Stephen Keogh is on an amazing SIMPLY winning streak

THE BEST CPM Agreement #40752539 www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com

February 2009 • Volume 1 • Issue 1 // CONTENTS

Photo: Graig Abel Photography FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

BIGGER AND BETTER NEWS & NOTES 14 Festival looks 5 CSA sets standard for facemasks • to double in size in 2009 FUNdamentals DVD coming soon • Team Ontario expands • OLA AGM A YEAR TO REMEMBER 20 From winning the Minto Cup to THE FUTURE celebrating a NCAA title at Syracuse 10 Keep an eye on Brett Gustafson University, Stephen Keogh is on an unbelievable winning streak RULE BOOK 11 Offside and time-served fouls LIVING LEGEND 22 Q&A with John Tavares, four-time THE ROCK REPORT champion 12 Rock looking to relive glory days

FIELD LACROSSE TECHNICAL TOOLBOX 24 EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES 19 How to bake a stick The gear you need, to bring your game EQUIPMENT BAG 26 Sticks & Heads ON THE COVER John Tavares. Photo: Graig Abel Photography BAGGATAWAY 28 The top 10 franchises in Junior ‘A’ history

Stephen Keogh. Photo: Syracuse Athletic Communications BanditsPhoto: Buffalo Gun Photography Photo: Hired www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 3 PUBLISHER'S LETTER

Ontario Lacrosse magazine is the primary source of information for Ontario lacrosse players, parents, coaches and officials. Published quarterly (February, April, July, Exciting Times Ahead November), Ontario Lacrosse is mailed directly to more than 10,000 members of the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Our readers elcome to the premier issue of Ontario Lacrosse, a magazine dedicated to covering turn to the magazine for the latest lacrosse news, products, trends, insights and expert the sport of lacrosse in Ontario! W opinion. All editorial submissions and article Published and distributed four times a year (February, April, July and November) queries should be sent to Paul Grossinger, by the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA), Ontario Lacrosse’s target audience is lacrosse editor: [email protected]. fans, coaches, players, referees, parents and volunteers. Our goal is to provide information The views expressed by the authors that expands the knowledge of our readers and to help lacrosse continue to grow, as it has, are not necessarily those of the Ontario exponentially, over the past several years. Lacrosse Association (OLA) or To bring the magazine to life, we have formed a partnership with KAP Publishing Ltd., KAP Publishing Ltd. All editorial a Thornhill, Ont.-based publisher that brings marketplace experience and a creative lens submissions are subject to editing. All rights reserved. Contents may not be to magazine design, layout, editing and publishing. We are thrilled to have KAP Publish- reprinted without written permission ing as a partner and look forward to working with it to produce a first-class publication. of the OLA and KAP Publishing. Ultimately, the editorial mandate of Ontario Lacrosse is to cover both box and disciplines for boys and girls and men and women. We are dedicated to providing timely, PUBLISHER Ontario Lacrosse Association well-researched and engaging stories, and toward that mission, we are open to any and all 3 Concorde Gate, Suite 306 article ideas. The following is simply a taste of the type of editorial content planned for up- Toronto, ON M3C 3N7 coming issues of the magazine: T: 416-426-7066; F: 416-426-7382 • Profiles of players, coaches and administrators — past and present; Published in partnership with: • Profiles of teams — past and present; KAP Publishing Ltd. • News and up-coming events from the grass roots, club and school levels; 1054 Centre Street, Suite 199 • Profiles of non-playing personalities in the game today; Thornhill, ON L4J 8E5 T: 905-370-0736; F: 905-747-0409 • Trends in provincial and national sport safety, administration and organization; [email protected] • Expert opinions and editorials on how the game can be improved; www.kappublishing.com • Insights on technical and rule interpretations; EDITOR • Reports from provincial championship games and tournaments; Paul Grossinger • Reports from national championship games and tournaments; [email protected] • Updates from provincial and national lacrosse meetings, awards and events; • Lacrosse equipment introductions and reviews; and ART DIRECTOR Mark Tzerelshtein • News on corporate sponsorships and partnerships in Ontario lacrosse promotion. [email protected] Alongside the launch of the magazine, we will soon introduce a sister web site — www.on- tariolacrossemagazine.com. Our online presence will help generate awareness of the pub- ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE lication, profile some of our featured content, add value to our advertising partners and allow Ady Artzy lacrosse enthusiasts to sign up for subscriptions. [email protected] As you can imagine, launching a magazine is a challenging task. To ensure the magazine succeeds, we encourage our readers to provide us with some assistance and feedback on CONTRIBUTORS Wendy Cuthbert how we are doing; what and whom we need to cover in their lacrosse communities; and how Tyler Dalton we can work together to create the best magazine possible. As such, we want Ontario Paul Grossinger Lacrosse to be a magazine for the lacrosse community, written by the lacrosse community. Laurie Harris Roger Lajoie If you are interested in contributing to the magazine in any way (e.g., thoughts, suggestions, Doug Luey article ideas, etc.) please contact me at: [email protected]. Brandon Phillips All of us at the OLA are extremely excited about Ontario Lacrosse magazine and the fu- Ron MacSpadyen ture of lacrosse in Ontario as a whole. We look forward to hearing from you and we hope you Paul Whiteside enjoy the magazine and share our enthusiasm for the exciting times ahead. Canadian Publications Mail #40752539

Return Undeliverable Canadian All the best Addresses to: KAP Publishing Ltd. Circulation Department 1054 Centre Street, Suite 199 Ron Thornhill, ON L4J 8E5 Ron MacSpadyen Printed in

4 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 NEWS & NOTES

FACEMASK STANDARD LONG OVERDUE DVD HELPS COACHES The Canadian Standards Association WITH FUNDAMENTALS (CSA) is about to release certifica- The newest coaching re- tion standards for lacrosse face- source is coming this spring when the masks. CSA is already familiar with Fun With Lacrosse FUNdamentals series the sports arena having written exist- releases its Team Skills DVD. ing standards for face protectors in and “Our second DVD, Team Skills, picks , along with helmet standards for hockey, up where our first, Individual Skills, left alpine skiing, snowboarding and cycling. off,” says Jim Calder, the DVD’s project According to Ian Brodie, CSA project man- manager. “The DVD will bring new and ager, Standards Development, establishing existing box coaches up to speed with the safety standards has significantly helped im- team tools required to teach the game prove safety in other sports. properly. Input from some of the best lacrosse coaches, instructors and players in “Since CSA first published standards for face Canada has helped produce clear and simple strategies to improve teams and coaches protectors and visors for hockey players, the interested in strong fundamentals.” number of reported eye injuries has dropped The Team Skills DVD features some of the best National Lacrosse League players, from roughly 290 per year to under 25 today,” including ( Blazers/Brampton Excelsiors), (Toronto says Brodie. “Hockey injuries resulting in blind- Rock/Owen Sound Woodsmen) and Geoff Snyder (Philadelphia Wings/ ness are now virtually non-existent, even though Adanacs), sharing insights on team offence and motion, team defense, transition, line the number of recreational hockey players has changes and team face-offs. Special team situations of power play and man-short are climbed significantly.” also covered in-depth. CSA establishes sports equipment standards The Fun With Lacrosse FUNdamentals DVD series would not be possible without the to reflect the potential hazards related to the support of our generous sponsors: Ontario Trillium Foundation, Warrior, Brine, New Bal- sport. Its test protocols are intended to repre- ance, Professional Lacrosse Players Association (PLPA), City of Brampton, Sport Canada, sent the risk environment in which the equip- Coaching Association of Canada, Sport Office, Powerade and Subway. ment is to be used. For more information and to order the DVD, contact Chris Driscoll: 416-426-7069. “The function of a lacrosse face protector is to prevent a or stick from contacting a player’s face,” explains Brodie. “The test pro- JAMMER CLASSIC SET FOR APRIL tocols established in the new CSA standard on The 2009 Jammer Classic Memorial lacrosse face protectors utilize a lacrosse ball field lacrosse tournament has been and stick to assess whether a protector meets set for April 10-12. The tournament the intended function.” honours the tragic death of The obvious beneficiaries of CSA certification Jamieson Kuhlmann, a talented are consumers and equipment manufacturers. player and leader in the Toronto Standards that ensure products meet minimum Beaches Lacrosse Club. requirements for quality and safety mean Held at the new Cherry Beach greater confidence and convenience for players Sports Fields in Toronto, where a field and parents. For equipment manufacturers, naming ceremony for Kuhlmann will standards help in the design, production, cost be held during the weekend, the three- and reliability of equipment. day tournament includes a four-team Chuck Miller, chair of the Canadian Lacrosse high school “Varsity Day” on Friday, Association (CLA) Equipment Review Commit- featuring the Hill Academy, and a 10- tee, was heavily involved in the five-year mission team midget club component. to encourage CSA to review lacrosse facemask The club tournament is open to all OLA midget field teams. Teams will play in two, standards. five-team, round-robin pools plus a medal round. “Lacrosse face protectors are finally going to “We encourage everyone to support this great initiative in any way possible and to be CSA certified and that is going to be a great find a way to get involved. If one good thing can come from this tragedy, it is that we will step forward for the sport. I can’t wait to be in a pull closer together as a lacrosse community” says Martin Tulett, past-president of the local retail sporting goods store and see a CSA Lacrosse Club. certification mark on a lacrosse facemask.” Event sponsors include the Hill Academy, , Tetley, Lax Shack, Toronto Miller expects lacrosse face protectors with Beaches Lacrosse and the Toronto Beaches Junior ‘A’ Lacrosse Club. All tournament pro- CSA certification to be available at retail loca- ceeds will benefit the Children’s Wish Foundation. tions come the 2010 lacrosse season. For more information, call Frank Ham, tournament director: 416-693-9322. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 5 NEWS & NOTES

TEAM ONTARIO EXPANDS LACROSSE GETS NEW VOICE The Team Ontario program, which governs The growth, development and expansion of lacrosse have led to the creation of an in- Ontario teams in minor national tournaments, ternational body whose vision includes world-wide and Olympic participation. will expand in 2009. Since the initial season in The recently organized Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) has three key man- 2004, the program has grown to include three dates: to explore the opportunities for lacrosse as an Olympic sport; serve as an efficient box teams attending CLA sanctioned minor body to promote and develop the sport; and streamline the financial and administrative national championship tournaments: Pee aspects of the game. Wee, Bantam and Midget. The new unified body incorporates the two organizations previously responsible for In 2009, the CLA is introducing a Bantam the international development of the game: the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) girls tournament and the OLA, under the and the International Federation of Women’s Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA). Under FIL, Team Ontario banner, will be entering a team the new organization will govern lacrosse currently played in 46 countries and co-ordi- in that competition. nate five international championships. “The addition of a girls national champi- Feffie Barnhill of Wilmington, Del., is FIL’s first president, while the OLA’s Stan onship is a great step forward for both the Cockerton holds the position of vice-president. Barnhill, of the IFWLA, and Cocker- game and the CLA,” says Wendy Cuthbert, the ton, associated with the ILF, co-chaired the five-year transition process to the for- OLA’s vice-president of development. mal newly established organization, which was officially approved August 2008 in The Bantam Girls Lacrosse Championship Lahti, Finland. of Canada will be held during the Ontario Other members of FIL’s administrative board include: Ron Balls (England), director Lacrosse Festival, scheduled for July 31 to of finance; Jack Emmer (U.S.A.), director of men’s lacrosse; Tom Hayes (U.S.A.), direc- August 9. tor of development; and Shelley Maher (Australia), director of women’s lacrosse. FIL’s strategic plan through 2010 entails an emphasis on operating events that showcase the sport; providing training and development opportunities for coaches, players and officials; a branding campaign to maximize exposure; building a financially sustainable organization; and promoting lacrosse as a drug-free sport. The branding campaign starts this spring when FIL releases its new logo, prior to On the field, a recently passed CLA initiative the beginning of the 2009 Women’s World Cup, held June 17-27 in Prague, Czech will see a change in the composition of teams Republic. competing at national field lacrosse champi- onships. Until now, provincial representatives en- JUNIOR ‘C’ LEAGUE EXPANDS BY THREE tered as club teams (or champions), but under The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) Junior ‘C’ league has added three new franchises a revised format beginning in 2009, all-star for the 2009 season: Clarington Shamrocks, Kingston Cavaliers and Peterborough Lakers. teams selected from open tryout sessions will The three clubs will join returning league members — Caledon Bandits (2008 provin- represent each province. As such, the Team cial champions), Center-Wellington Warlords, Innisfil Wolfpack, Shelburne Veterans and Ontario program will now embrace the U16 West Durham Patriots — to create and eight-team circuit for the up-coming season. and U19 men’s teams attending national field “As many as 15 centres have expressed interest in joining the league,” says Doug lacrosse finals in the fall. Luey, OLA Junior ‘C’ commissioner. “However, we wanted to be true to our original “Having all the provincial teams under the mandate that keeping operating costs low is paramount to the future success of our Team Ontario program means standard oper- league, so more cautious expansion plans are necessary. Additionally, our league ating guidelines, a uniform look and overall wishes to participate in the planning to restructure the intermediate age division in 2010 cost savings for parents and players,” says in the best interests of the game.” Cuthbert. “We also think we’ll gain even bet- The rebirth of Junior ‘C’ lacrosse is a direct result of continuous growth of the sport ter insights to maintaining our position as gold in Ontario. OLA membership has more than doubled over the past 10 years, with ap- medal champions at these events.” proximately 42,000 registered members in 2008. Players interested in Team Ontario open Prior to last season, the OLA Junior ‘C’ operated between 1972 to 1982 with teams tryouts (for any of the six teams) must be age- from across Ontario, including Acton, Bolton, Brockville, Cobourg, Dundas, Long eligible, a resident of Ontario and a registered Branch, Morrisburg, Point Edward, Rexdale and Wallaceburg. At its peak in 1975, the member of the OLA. Registration forms, age league sported 18 teams in three divisions and a 24-game schedule. divisions, selection camp information, The Junior ‘C’ League begins its 2009 season in May, with the majority of the dates/times, locations and tryout up-dates are games played mid-week. The league’s 16 game regular season schedule is followed posted on the OLA website: www.ontario- by playoffs. Last year, the Caledon Bandits defeated Center-Wellington Warlords in lacrosse.com. the league’s best-of-seven final.

6 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 Events // NEWS & NOTES

MARCH 2009 7 Referee Clinic, Zone 10 8 Referee Clinic, Zone 7 14 Toronto Rock at Boston 21 Toronto Rock vs. Rochester, Air Canada Centre 27 Toronto Rock at 28 Referee Clinic, Sudbury 28 Referee Clinic, Ottawa 28 Toronto Rock at Edmonton 29 Referee Clinic, Zone 4 2009 , September 11-17 APRIL 2009 4 Referee Clinic, Zone 8 5 Referee Clinic, Zone 6 11 Toronto Rock at Philadelphia 18 Referee Clinic, Zone 9 18 Referee Clinic, Thunder Bay 18 Toronto Rock vs. San Jose, Air Canada Centre

MAY 2009 22 OLA Minor Field Provincial Championships

JUNE 2009 10 Registration Appeal Deadline 11 Minor Council Meeting/Registration Appeals 24-28 Zone Final Ratings Meetings Photo: Lawrence Birdsall Photo: Lawrence 2009 Minto Cup, August 21-30

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 7 NEWS & NOTES // OLA AGM

2008 was a stellar year for Ontario lacrosse. Evidence of this can be seen in all of the hardware presented at the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Annual General Meeting, held last November. The following is a recap of 2008, including award recipients announced at the AGM.

VOLUNTEER AWARDS Ken Murray Award • Gary Petrin, Sudbury Merv McKenzie Award • Mark Woods, Hamilton Mr. Lacrosse Award • Ziggy Musial, Brampton Laurie Montgomery Award • Chris Juniper, Kitchener Commissioners Award • Tracy Johnson, Six Nations President's Award • Gary Gallant, Hamilton; Brian Avery, Hamilton, Paul Vukosa, Hamilton

PLAYER AWARDS E.W. Billy Evans Award • Stephen Keogh Centennial Award • Ben Corfield, Spartan Minor Larry Ruse Award • Alexis Buque & Neil Roberts, Whitby Minor Ted Sawicki Award • Bradley Kri, Rick Passfield Memorial Award • Samuel Postma, Brampton

Stan Cockerton Award • Dillon Webster, Brampton 1 2 Ryan Haber Award • Jamieson Kuhlmann, Toronto Beaches

COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS Bobby Allan (Minor Field) • Doug Marshall, Halton Hills Junior ‘B’ East • , Coaching Staff Junior ‘B’ West • Warlords, Coaching Staff Junior ‘A’ (Jim Bishop Memorial) • St. Catharines Athletics, Coaching Staff Senior ‘B’ • Brooklin Merchants, Coaching Staff Major • Peter Vipond & Wanye Colley, Brooklin Redmen

REFEREE AWARDS Jane Acton Award (Women's Field) • Carolyn Toll, Oshawa OLRA Award (Women's Box) • Terry-Lynn Dean, Hamilton OLRA Award (Box) • Adam Dickson, Burlington OLRA Award (Field) • Ryan Metcalfe, Richmond Hill Jack Mann Award • Molly McIntyre, Belleville

CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE YEAR Lax Shack

PROVINCIAL BANNERS Men’s Field: Junior D1, Niagara Junior D2, Six Nations 3 4 Junior D3, Toronto Beaches Senior A, Six Nations Senior B, Barrie Masters: Junior, Welland Senior, Brampton Junior B: Junior A: Orangeville Northmen Senior B: Owen Sound Woodsmen Major: Brampton Excelsiors

PHOTOS: 1. OLA President John Doherty (right) presents Brian Avery of Hamilton with the President’s Award, in recognition of his 20 years of service to lacrosse. 2. John Doherty presents Paul Vukosa of Hamilton with the President’s Award, in recognition of his 20 years of service to lacrosse. 3. John Doherty presents Gary Gallant of Hamilton with the President’s Award, in recognition of his 20 years of service to lacrosse. 4. John Doherty presents Bob Clevely of Orangeville a certificate of achievement for his team winning the Men’s Junior ‘A’ National Championship. 5. John Doherty presents Tomm Brandon of Brampton a certificate of achievement for his team winning the Men’s Senior ‘A’ National Championship. 6. John Doherty presents Daryl Haynes of Halton Hills a certificate of achievement for his team winning the Boys U16 Field National Championship. 5 6

8 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 OLA AGM // NEWS & NOTES

1 2

3 4

1. Stephen Keogh poses with family and friends after receiving the E.W. “Billy” Evans Award, given to the most outstanding graduating Junior ‘A’ Player. (Left to Right: Sean Keogh, Tom Koger, Stephen Keogh and Dean McLeod). 2. Dean McLeod (left), Junior ‘A’ Commissioner, and OLA President John Doherty (right) present Ziggy Musial with the Mr. Lacrosse Award for outstanding service to lacrosse. 3. Mark Kuhlmann, father of Jamieson, accepts the Ryan Haber Award. 4. Ziggy Musial gives speech after receiving Mr. Lacrosse Award. 5. Mark Woods (left) receives the Merv McKenzie Award, presented by Stan Cockerton, OLA executive director, in recognition for his outstanding promotion of lacrosse in Ontario. 6. Matt Markovic (left), sales manager at Durham College/UOIT Residence & Conference Centre, and Mark Collins (right), na- tional sales manager, present the OLA with a cheque for $34,906. 7. Hamilton group pose with Mann Cup after winning the trivia contest at the AGM banquet dinner (Front L to R: Christine Woods, Mark Woods, Gary Gallant, Joel Firmin: back L to R: Wayne Quinlan, Tonia Quinlan, Peggy Gallant, Rachel Stones). 5

6 7 www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 9 THE FUTURE // By Paul Grossinger

PLAYING BOTH LACROSSE AND HOCKEY AT ELITE LEVELS HAS BRETT GUSTAVSEN ON THE ON A PATH TO FUTURE SUCCESS RIGHT TRACK

t’s hard to believe, but Brett Gus- “I like box and field equally the same,” says tavsen has been scoring goals since Brett. “I like lacrosse because of the physical I he was three. That is when the play and it takes a lot of hand-eye coordination to Toronto native first picked up a play. You have to be very fit because it’s a fast NAME: Brett Gustavsen and started tickling the twine. moving game and that is what I like. There are SCHOOL: Birchmount Collegiate “A friend of my neighbour was a big not many whistles, and the game keeps flowing.” LACROSSE: lacrosse guy,” recalls Eric Gustavsen, Brett’s To date, Brett has accomplished a lot in his Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club father. “He was saying to get my kids into rather short lacrosse career. However, he lacrosse; next thing I knew, I signed him up and points to two highlights that stand out above HOCKEY: Mississauga Rebels it took off from there.” them all: 1) reaching the Pee Wee provincial FAVOURITE LACROSSE PLAYER: Now 14-years old and a member of the championships in 2006 while a member of the Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club, Brett is an ; and 2) being one of 16 FAVOURITE HOCKEY PLAYER: elite athlete who uses his natural ability and in- players chosen to represent Team Ontario that Mats Sundin / Doug Gilmour stincts to excel at both lacrosse and hockey very same year. (Mississauga Rebels, AAA). By playing both sports at a competitive level, Brett believes it “It was a great experience. A lot of pressure, only helps him excel whether he is on skates but at the same time, it was so fascinating,” or running up and down the lacrosse field. says Brett, referring to his Team Ontario “I think each sport helps each other. Playing achievement and experience. “The difference lacrosse helps with my hands in hockey and between a regular lacrosse game and an On- helps me get really fit. You have to be really tario lacrosse game is huge. There are so conditioned to play both,” he explains, adding many more people watching and you he likes to stay on skates in the summer, hit- are playing against new players ting the ice about once every two weeks. that you never played against, His athleticism was one of the reasons why he from different provinces.” was accepted into the Birchmount Elite Athlete As for the future, Brett has Program. Run out of Birchmount Collegiate in aspirations of playing either Toronto, the program only accepts 30 kids, from professional hockey or about 130 teens that try out, on a yearly basis. lacrosse, but for now, he is just A fan of both box and field lacrosse, Brett ac- enjoying both sports. knowledges his game has strengths and weak- “I love to play lacrosse and I hope nesses. In a self-evaluation, he believes he is a to play it for a long time. I want to strong drawman, strong on the power play, has try to get scholarships in both good hands and has an abundance of sports and go from there.” speed and endurance As to areas of Athletic and smart — a his game he needs to work on, great combination that should he is quick to admit he has only lead Brett to excel in any to pay more attention and all of his future en- to defense. deavours. 

“I LIKE LACROSSE BECAUSE OF THE PHYSICAL PLAY AND IT TAKES A LOT OF HAND-EYE COORDINATION TO PLAY. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY FIT BECAUSE IT’S A FAST MOVING GAME AND THAT IS WHAT I LIKE. “

10 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 RULE BOOK

AND OFFSIDE TIME-SERVED FOULS QUESTION: When I push an attack man into the crease, why isn’t a time-served foul for crease play ever called?

ANSWER: Typically in this situation there are simultaneous fouls. More accurately, simultaneous technical fouls. First, there is the at- tack man in the crease, second, there is the illegal push on you. In field when there technical fouls against both teams on the same play (e.g., red in the crease, blue push) the play will be blown dead, and the referee will signal for the simultaneous fouls by placing both hands behind his head. They will call out and signal all fouls on both teams, then award the ball based on who had possession of it before the play was stopped. Whoever had possession keeps the ball, or if it was loose there will be a draw. There is no time served, no one is sent off and no one is short handed. 

Answers provided by the Ontario Lacrosse Referees Association. Do you have any rules-related questions for box, men’s field, women’s field and/or master’s rules lacrosse? If so, e-mail them to offside@on- tariolacrosseofficials.ca. One of our experienced officials will gladly an- swer them in a future issue of Ontario Lacrosse. QUESTION: I am a long pole in men’s field lacrosse. I am chasing a mid-fielder up the field and I step over the half line, putting my team offside. As soon as I notice what I have done, I step back onside to my side of the half line. After I am back onside I notice the referee has Get in the Game! thrown a penalty flag against me for an offside technical foul. Since my team is already being penalized, can I run back over half and play attack? Would I get a second penalty flag?

ANSWER: Sorry to say, but it depends. The key question is: “Can I run back over half and play attack, would I get a second penalty flag?” If it is you that went offside, then yes you can cross the half line again and enter the attack zone. You are already offside, you have already committed the foul and you will not be flagged again. One individual over half equals one flag. However, one of your teammates cannot cross half for you and your coach cannot substitute in a player through the gate to be that additional attack man. Either of these would draw a second flag for offside because now there are two players that have illegally crossed half. Enjoy lacrosse from any With all this being said it is important to remember to make the perspective—fan, coach, or player! move back over half promptly, and once you have realized you have been flagged. The longer you wait to enter the attack zone, you in- crease the chance you may be flagged again. It could be consid- Available Wherever Books Are Sold ered unsportsmanlike conduct, which would draw a one-minute, non-releasable penalty. This prevents you from waiting alongside half for the play to approach the line then jumping into the attack to gain a particular or planned advantage. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 11 THE ROCK REPORT // By Roger Lajoie GETTING BACK TO WINNING INFLUX OF NEW, YOUNGER PLAYERS SPARKS HOPE THE TORONTO ROCK CAN RETURN TO THE DAYS WHEN HOISTING CHAMPIONSHIP BANNERS WAS COMMONPLACE

rad Watters is back as president of Watters realized that as well, even though the Toronto Rock this year and he’s he and the previous management and coaches B expecting something else to return to did a marvellous job re-tooling for that seven the National Lacrosse League (NLL) team too. year run, and never rebuilding. He expects a return to the franchise’s win- “When we were on top, we made deals to ning culture, and nothing else will do. stay there, but eventually we knew we’d run out “The rebuilding is over,” Watters says. of gas,” says Watters, who rejoins the team this “We’re rebuilt. The Rock has to instil the cul- year after a stint with theToronto Argonauts. “No ture of winning again.” matter what the sport, you can’t just keep going Watters knows all about that winning cul- and going with the same players all the time.” ture. The Rock has been one of the most suc- So the team has undergone a bit of a trans- cessful franchises in the 23-year history of the formation, with fans still loyal but not turning NLL and in this, the club’s 11th season, expec- out in the numbers they did in the heyday. Av- tations are high that the club will once again erage attendance still remains strong, but challenge for a championship. 2008’s total of 14,570 is still a significant decline. The Rock did more than contend for champi- So the task for 2009 was to address the onships in their glory years — they usually won team’s needs the past two seasons and get the them. Starting in 1999 the Rock won five Cham- club back to its winning ways. That meant get- pion’s Cups in seven years, a tremendous ac- ting bigger, getting more offensively talented complishment. They were the toast of the league, and yes – getting younger. the franchise everybody wanted to play for, and New to the club this season are forwards darlings at the box office too with an average at- , Bill McGlone, and tendance of 17,123 at the Air Canada Centre in Craig Cohn. All weigh more than 200 pounds, 2005, the year of their fifth championship. all have good offensive upside and all are But that was the last title for the Rock and younger than many of the bodies they’ve re- although it would be too much of a cliché to placed from the past couple of seasons. say the franchise has hit ‘Rock’ bottom (and it Two prize rookies will also augment the new- wouldn’t be accurate either), things have cer- look roster. Mark Scherman, the Rock’s second- tainly been on the downside since then. round pick from the 2007 draft, figures to get a Toronto dropped its final five games last good look as does another rookie, Jeff Gilbert, season and missed the playoffs for the first a 6-foot, 4-inch defenseman from Barrie, Ont. time in franchise history. That followed the Another new face up front is Josh Wasson, first sub .500 season in team history in 2007. picked up with McGlone in the dispersal draft for After such a prolonged stretch of success, the Chicago franchise. the Rock suddenly found themselves getting , Dan Ladouceur and Peter old and dare say, perhaps a little stale after Lough all return on defence, with transition that 2005 triumph. took over as man Chris Driscoll the new captain, replacing coach in 2007 and saw that a rebuilding job retired legend Veltman, another sure sign that was in order. (Clark and his entire coaching the club has turned to a new chapter. staff, and Terry Bullen were fired But there are still a lot of veterans, includ- three games into the 2009 season, replaced by ing returning forwards , who

Jamie Batley and assistants Jim Milligan and Photos: Graig Abel Photography led the team with 30 goals last season, Lewis Bob Keast. Veltman has remained with the Acquired in the off season, Luke Wiles (above) Ratcliff (acquired from Calgary late last sea- club as an adviser.) and Bill McGlone will be counted on in 2009 to return son) and Kasey Beirnes, who hopes to rebound the Rock to its winning ways.

12 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 THE ROCK REPORT

off a 15 goal season last year which was a drop from his 23 goals in 2007. And NLL goalie-of- the-year is still the man in goal. Veltman, now an advisor with the club says: “The last two years have hurt. It’s hard to go through. But we now have a chance to get back to the level we expect and there’s a good nu- cleus of talent here and some good young players.” The NLL has grown enormously in the past decade. Long gone are the days where the Rock only had to deal with one or two really strong teams in pursuit of a championship. Just making the playoffs is now a tall order, but Watters makes it clear what the expecta- tions are for 2009, even with a younger team than has been the norm. “When we were winning, there wasn’t any- body in this organization who expected any- thing less than a championship,” Watters says. Newcomer Jason Crosbie has jumped “We have to get back to that kind of thinking. off to a quick start in And believe me, that’s the plan.”  2009, tallying 26 points in the Rock's first five games. Roger Lajoie is a freelance writer in Toronto, Ont.

The Hill Academy The Hill Academy is a unique private school that offers a program specifically designed for Student-Athletes. While students are engaged in an outstanding academic program, they are working at a level of sports training normally available only at the College/University level. The “Hill” provides the foundation for intellectual, athletic, and personal development enabling each individual to maximize their full potential and ultimately reach the next level. Coaches Testimonials "Each day the faculty at the Hill pushes me to become a more mature player and student which will prepare me for my post-secondary career. This year at the Hill I have learned and grown as a player, student, and person and feel Men’s Varsity confident that I will be able to walk into SBU and make a positive impact on the team on and off of the field." -JJLaforet Stony Brook University class of 2013

"The Hill Academy empowered me. Jamine Aponte The coaching and training at the Hill Women’s Varsity helped me improve my athletic and lacrosse skills which greatly improved my confidence and my game. Now my dream of playing Division I lacrosse has come true. Thanks Hill Academy!" - Jason Card Hofstra University class of 2011

For information on how to apply to The Hill Academy, please contact us at 905.893.7065 or admissions@thehillacademy or visit our website www.thehillacademy.com www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 13 ENTERING ONLY ITS SIXTH YEAR OF EXISTENCE, THE ONTARIO LACROSSE FESTIVAL Bigger IS ON PACE TO BECOME THE LARGEST YOUTH SPORT EVENT IN THE PROVINCE and BETTER // By Laurie Harris ore teams, more players, more fans “It doesn’t seem that long ago that we bun- M and ultimately, more promotion. dled up several championships to launch the This is what the 2009 Ontario Festival,” says Ron MacSpadyen, marketing di- Lacrose Festival will bring to Whitby, Ont., rector of the Ontario Lacrosse Association this coming summer when the annual lacrosse (OLA), and the man behind the mission to de- extravaganza returns for another year. liver a 10-day summer celebration of the

sport. “The event has come a long way in a short period of time. We’re very proud of it as a showcase for the game.” From its modest beginnings, the Festival has grown exponentially, where it now hosts 450 teams, nearly 7,000 players and coaches and 36 championships. It currently ranks be- hind only the Bell Capital Cup in size of ama- teur sports tournaments in Ontario (see table).

TOP 10 AMATEUR SPORTING EVENTS IN ONTARIO

Rank Event Name Market Sport Venues Event History Event Duration Total Total Athletes (Years) (Days) Teams & Coaches

1 Bell Capital Cup Ottawa Hockey 20 10 5 485 7,200 2 Ontario Lacrosse Festival Whitby Lacrosse 7 6 10 401 6,817 3 OWHA Provincials Mississauga Hockey 7 6 3 399 5,985 4 Brampton Canadettes Female Hockey Tournament Brampton Hockey 12 42 3 352 5,280 5 Ronald McDonald AAA Summer Tournament Vaughan Hockey 5 12 4 240 3,840 6 Robbie International Soccer Tournament Toronto Soccer 19 41 3 240 3,360 7 Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic Toronto Hockey 4 77 5 168 2,520 8 OFSAA Track & Field Championships Toronto Track & Field 1 21 3 N/A 2,400 9 Whitby Wolves Rep Tournament Whitby Hockey 3 12 3 135 2,160 10 Canlan May Madness Markham Hockey 2 10 4 120 1,920

14 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 New to the Festival this year is the addition their dedication and passion to deliver a great, of a national championship for Bantam girls, athlete-centred experience. The Festival would featuring teams from Alberta, British Colum- be nowhere without their commitment.” bia, Iroquois, New Brunswick and Ontario; Growth has also attracted an impressive Bantam and Midget boys provincial box list of popular names as Festival sponsors. lacrosse tournaments; and the U19 women’s Companies like Adidas, Crocs, Gatorade, field championships. To accommodate these Hyper Apparel, Lax Shack, Rogers and the added events and the natural growth of the Toronto Rock, join a stable of four lacrosse annual event, the Festival, for the first time in equipment manufacturers, Gait Lacrosse, Har- its six-year existence, will need to use facilities row Sports, STX and Warrior Sports, to annu- outside of Whitby, with several games sched- “It’s an added advantage for us to have peo- ally participate as title and event sponsors, uled for arenas in Oshawa. As such, both com- ple at numerous sites because they can see bringing more to the event than just money. munities will benefit from the estimated $5.1 more of the community,” adds Jennifer Mor- “Our sponsors have gone the extra mile to million of tourism spending expected to hit rison, economic development manager for the help generate the right player experience for the region during the 10-day spectacular. Town of Whiby. “Having Iroquois Park allows the Festival.” says MacSpadyen. “From iPod “It’s great to have women’s field lacrosse as for events like the Festival, which are quite an giveaways to pro player autograph sessions to part of the Festival because it exposes more advantage because they bring in a lot of people Festival-branded lacrosse equipment to player fans to the full flavour of the sport,” says Mac- who may not have come here otherwise.” development camps, our sponsors share our Spadyen. “Many Ontario communities talk the MacSpadyen also credits Festival volunteers vision to continue adding value to the event sport tourism opportunity, but just fail to un- and corporate partners with making the Festival every year.” derstand it. Greg Scott (manager of facilities) the must-attend lacrosse event it has become. As the Festival continues to grow at its cur- and his team at the Town of Whitby have con- He says everywhere he turns, volunteers are ad- rent rate, there is no doubt it will soon become tributed to the success of the Festival because vancing the Festival mission: to become a pre- the largest youth sport event in Ontario, not they appreciate the mutually beneficial rela- mier, nationally-recognized youth sport brand. to mention the gold standard which every tionship between events and communities. “We have been very fortunate to have so other event will strive to match.  From our perspective, Whitby is the gold stan- many first-class volunteers grow the Festival,” dard of sport tourism partners.” he notes. “Its success today is a testament to Laurie Harris is a freelance writer in Toronto, Ont. PRIDE LACROSSE “Canada's Top 100”

“Canada’s Top 100” is a lacrosse camp focused on exposing elite Canadian high school lacrosse players to top NCAA Division I, II, and III lacrosse programs. The camp also offers advanced instruction from some of the top players and coaches in the game. Date June 30th and July 1st Location The Hill Academy, Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada Register Email Brodie Merrill at [email protected]

Camp is open to Rising Grade 10, 11, 12 High School Students. Canada's Top 100 “Providing Canadian high school lacrosse players with the opportunity to display their talents in front of the nation’s top NCAA programs.” "I spent my money on a number of US based camps last summer. Canada's Top 100 was the best bang for my buck. I was able to showcase my skills in a smaller environment with a large number of NCAA coaches watching. I recently committed to Yale and know that Patrick and Brodie were instrumental in making that happen." Kirby Zdrill Yale Univeristy class of 2014

For more information, please visit our website at www.thehillacademy.com/ath_camps_tournaments Tel: 416.500.2492 www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 15 2009 ONTARIO ONTTAAARIO LACROSSE LACROSSSSE FESTIVAL FESTIVVAAL F I EVENTEVENT PRPROGRAMOGRRAM MMODELODEL W

July 31 August 1 August 2 August 3 August 4

EVENT 1 OLA PEE WEE PROVINCIALS

EVENT 2 OLA BANTAM PROVINCIALS

EVENT 3 U15 GIRLS FIELD PROVINCIALS

EVENT 4 OLA TYKE PROVINCIALS

EVENT 5 OLA GIRLS BANTAM BOX PROVINCIALS BANTAM BOYS PROVINCIALS EVENT 6 PEE WEE LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP OF CANADA

EVENT 7 BANTAM LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP OF CANADA

EVENT 8 B

EVENT 9 O

DAILYDADAIILLY AATTENDANCETTTTTEEENNNDDADANNCCCEE ESTIMATESEESSTTIIIMMMAATTEEESS 7,0007,000

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NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BROADCAST SCHEDULE 5CVWTFC[#WIWUV CO $CPVCO)KTNU0CVKQPCNU$TQP\G    0QQP  $CPVCO)KTNU0CVKQPCNU)QNF    RO   2GG9GG0CVKQPCNU$TQP\G    RO   2GG9GG0CVKQPCNU)QNF    RO   $CPVCO0CVKQPCNU$TQP\G   RO   $CPVCO0CVKQPCNU)QNF  

BANTAM GIRLS LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP OF CANADA

OLA GIRLS PW/MGT/INT BOX PROVINCIALS EVENT 10 U19 GIRLS FIELD PROVINCIALS

EVENT 11 OLA NOVICE PROVINCIALS

EVENT 12 OLA MIDGET PROVINCIALS

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By Brandon Phillips // TECHNICAL TOOLBOX TIME TO BAKE WITH SOME BASIC TOOLS, AN OVEN AND A FREEZER, YOU TOO CAN MOLD YOUR STICK JUST THE WAY YOU LIKE IT

layers in every sport look to gain any allow you to create your desired pinch. If you advantage they can when competing. want a narrow pinch both in the scoop and the P There is always a little something throat of your stick, run the wire through the that athletes do, change or alter in an attempt top hole; if you would prefer only a narrowed to give them a slight edge over the opposition. throat, then pick a set lower down. For example, a draw man might find a nar- With the wire in place, squeeze the stick to the rower stick will give him better results in the desired width and then bend the straight end of face-off circle, while a defensive specialist the wire across the stick to hold the pinch tem- would prefer to play with a wide stick that al- porarily. Take this time to make sure the ball can lows him to intercept passes with greater pass freely through the head without restriction ease. Every lacrosse player’s stick is as unique and that it will still be legal for use in a game. as his or her game; it’s up to each player to All of the preparation is now complete and find what works best for him or her. you can now get ready to bake the stick. Place the top rack of your oven in the centre making sure there is enough clearance room between the stick and the element. Turn the oven to 300 degrees and allow it to heat up. As the oven reaches the desired temperature, remove the board from the sink and place it in the oven with the stick on the board. Bake the stick for 10 minutes and remove the stick; allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. With the stick still One way to effectively tailor equipment to enough to soak the board in; oven; freezer; and slightly warm and without removing the wire, your individual game and needs is baking, lacrosse ball. place the stick in the freezer for 20 to 30 min- molding the empty stick head to a custom For kids or teens wanting to bake, make utes to set the plastic. shape. Other methods will narrow your sure you have your parents’ permission; have Once the stick has cooled and set, you are stick, but often make it difficult for players to them supervise you with the oven part of the ready to string it. control the final product’s shape, appearance process, as well as preparing the coat hanger and durability. using the necessary sharp tools. With the tools in place, put the board in a sink and fill it with water until the board is cov- ered; you will need something heavy in order to keep the board under the water. Leave the board to soak for as long as possible. The board

is used to keep the stick from becoming brittle Photos: Brandon Phillips after pinching, as well as from melting on any Baking a stick is a great way to customize a Before baking a stick, you will need the fol- metal oven parts. factory stick, however, you must always keep in lowing equipment and tools: un- While the board is soaking, unwind the mind the rules of the game to ensure that your strung head; wire coat hanger; wire hanger and use the wire cutters to stick meets the legal requirements. An illegal wooden board long enough to cut a piece of the hanger 10 to 12 stick, if spotted by a referee, could be confis- hold the lacrosse head; wire cut- inches in length. Now bend one end of cated and you could be assessed a penalty.  ter; needle nose pliers; sink, bath the wire using the needle nose pliers tub, bucket — something large so that it cannot pass through the Brandon Phillips is a life-long lacrosse enthusi- string holes on the sidewall of the stick. ast. His career took him from minor paperweight Once the wire is prepared, pass it through all the way to the Junior level with the Clarington the hole on the sidewall of the stick. This will Green Gaels. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 19 a YEAR TO REMEMBER FROM WINNING THE MINTO CUP TO CELEBRATING A NCAA TITLE AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY TO TAKING HOME TOP PLAYER HONOURS FROM THE ONTARIO LACROSSE ASSOCIATION, STEPHEN KEOGH IS ON AN UNBELIEVABLE WINNING STREAK

// By Roger Lajoie

tephen Keogh is living the Jr. ‘A’ rookie of the year in his first season S a lacrosse player’s in the OLA in 2004 (Joe Nieuwendyk Award), dream. The 21-year- and he was the most outstanding graduating old Toronto native is on some player in the OLA in 2008 (E.W. Billy Evans kind of a roll. He has been a Award). part of a Minto Cup title team In between he played most of his games and an NCAA Division 1 cham- with the Beaches, building off a terrific rookie pionship club in the same year, season when he scored 21 goals and had 35 playing with two lacrosse power- points in 20 regular season games. He followed house organizations. that up with an eight goal, 15-point perform- But the product of the Toronto ance during a surprising 11 game playoff run. Beaches Minor Lacrosse Club credits He continued developing into a star player his roots as a younger player for the with the Beaches Jr. ‘A’ club, making the all-star success he’s been enjoying — and team in both 2007 and 2008, after emerging those roots are firmly planted in the as a big-time scorer with 30 goals and 65 points Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA). in 18 games in 2006. “Being able to play against the He led his team in goals with 21 in 2007 and best players in the OLA for all of my got off to a tremendous start in his fifth sea- younger career really helped me,” son of Junior ‘A’ last year, with 10 goals and 16 Keogh says. “The talent in all of the assists for 26 points in his first nine games. But OLA is really unbelievable. with his Toronto Beaches team not in title con- “It’s been awesome the last tention, he was acquired by the powerhouse year, just unbelievable really, Orangeville Northmen as they were making a but the experience and coach- run at a championship. ing I got in the OLA growing “It was good for the Beaches to release me,” up really was a big part of my Keogh says of the move. “Orangeville runs a development.” great program, they really wanted to win and Keogh couldn’t have asked it was a chance for me to maybe win a champi- for a better start to his career in onship in my final year too.” Photo: Syracuse Athletic Communications Photo: Syracuse Athletic the OLA, or a better ending. He was You can take away the ‘maybe’ from that.

20 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 Keogh and his Beaches teammate Todd Hos- mer joined the Northmen and helped them capture the Minto Cup, with Keogh earning tournament MVP honours (Jim McConaghy Memorial Award) by scoring 10 goals in the four games. “I’ve been waiting for this since my first year of Junior ‘A’,’’ admits Keogh. “At the tourna- ment, all the guys came together. We’ve been wanting this since we came here. It’s been a great year for me, winning an NCAA champi- onship (with Syracuse University) and now this. It’s a great feeling.’’ It was Keogh’s experience at Syracuse, com- bined with his great play with the Beaches that led Orangeville coach Matt Sawyer to decide to add Keogh to the mix. “We feel we’ve got the best organization in the world and getting a player like Stephen, well

it made us just that much better,” Sawyer said at Communications Photo: Syracuse Athletic the Minto Cup final. Keogh (#28) will be counted on to help Syracuse win back-to-back NCAA titles. “I couldn’t be prouder player in the family (he has of these kids and of the two brothers and two sisters). role Stephen played. Both “Matt’s the only one in my of them only had a few family who plays, but I had a regular season games to lot of people helping me out learn our system but they as a player growing up,” fit in so well. Keogh says. “All of my “We wanted to make coaches, and some family sure we weren’t rocking friends, helped me along the the boat and we had no way to be a better player. worries about that with “The Toronto Beaches or- Todd and Stephen. I’ve ganization was great to me,” never been big about the he adds. “They kept me fo- deadline pick-up, but cused and I learned through Stephen was a great ad- them to keep practicing and Photo: Hired Gun Photography Photo: Hired dition for us.” Stephen Keogh's 10 goals at the 2008 Minto Cup earned him tournament MVP honours. just work my hardest every Keogh’s Minto tri- day. That has really helped umph followed up his tremendous debut first and third goals in a 13-10 win over Johns me, especially at Syracuse, where the athleti- with Syracuse, where he finished seventh on Hopkins in the title game before 48,970 fans cism is really high.” the club in scoring with 20 goals and two as- at Gillette Stadium, helping Syracuse claim its Stephen’s proud parents are Sean and Mar- sists as a freshman after attending Brewster record 10th NCAA Division 1 title. garet and they have encouraged him to keep his Academy in New Hampshire in 2006 and Syracuse coach John Desko told reporters studies up, which also led to the Syracuse schol- 2007. at this year’s opening press conference that arship offer. He’s currently enrolled in the Col- While at Brewster he set the school’s all- Keogh and other young players really helped lege of Arts and Sciences and looks forward to time scoring record and was a 2007 U.S. the cause last year — and they will be counted combining his love of lacrosse with his school- Lacrosse All-American. That set him up on even more this year. ing for a few more years yet. nicely to join Syracuse, one of the most pres- “We have a whole new group of freshmen And after that? tigious lacrosse programs in the country. and sophomores who came in with a big class,” “We’ll see,” Keogh says. “Down the road “I guess I impressed the coaches at the Acad- Desko said. “They were part of last year and maybe the pro game, or staying involved in emy enough to get my chance at Syracuse,” saw the focus of the seniors and juniors. We’re lacrosse in some capacity for sure. Right now I Keogh says. “It’s an unbelievable place. I re- hoping that’s contagious. Stephen was an im- want to finish school, get a degree from Syra- member watching Syracuse as a little kid, with mediate contributor to our team and he’s going cuse and just enjoy the whole experience. This all the great tradition they have here, with all of to take on a bigger role as he continues to de- has all been possible from my time in the OLA. the terrific players who played here. It’s such a velop here.” I can’t thank everyone there enough for my great program and then to win a champi- Keogh’s development into such a solid years there.”  onship, well that was really special.” lacrosse player is a little bit of a surprise, con- Indeed it was. Keogh scored the Orange’s sidering that only his brother Matt is a lacrosse Roger Lajoie is a freelance writer in Toronto, Ont. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 21 Q+A // With John Tavares Photos: Photos: Buffalo

22 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 With John Tavares // Q+A LIVING LEGEND ONTARIO LACROSSE TALKS TO JOHN TAVARES, THE ALL-TIME NLL SCORING LEADER, ABOUT THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE SPORT HE TRULY LOVES

EARLY DAYS OF LACROSSE met throughout the years. All the great fans, I started playing lacrosse when I was about all the great players. four years old. I grew up playing in down- NAME: John Tavares town Toronto. My older brother Danny used VIEWS ON MANN CUP AGE: 40 to play for a team called St. Christopher I think summer lacrosse is a bit more chal- House. I would always take his stick and go lenging to win, and more gratifying than HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5’11” / 185 lbs to the outdoor box. I never wanted to put the the NLL championship. We don’t have the POSITION: Forward stick down and have been playing ever since. same crowds, but when you win the Mann Cup, you have to go through several playoff SHOOTS: Left GROWTH OF THE GAME rounds that are best of seven. In the NLL, CAREER (OUTSIDE OF LACROSSE): I have played lacrosse long enough to experi- it is a one game playoff and you can’t have High school math teacher ence a roller coaster in terms of attendance any aspect of the game go wrong for your TEAM: Buffalo Bandits, National and participation. Once the Toronto Rock team. Anything can happen in one night. In Lacrosse League (NLL) & St. Regis came into the NLL and Sportsnet picked up the Mann Cup, there is no luck involved, Indians, (OLA) its games, there was a huge increase in par- you have to bring it. The last Mann Cup I ticipation. I think a lot of people started to won was when I played with the Victoria NLL SEASONS: 17 put their kids into field lacrosse, with the un- Shamrocks. ACHIEVEMENTS: Four NLL derstanding there was a lot of opportunities championships; all-time NLL leader for field lacrosse scholarships in the U.S. ADVICE FOR KIDS PLAYING LACROSSE in goals (620), assists (706) and I definitely would say to continue working on points (1,326); seven-time NLL BIGGEST TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENT your stick skills. You don’t want to have a all-star; most assists and points Definitely the four championships with the huge deep pocket in your stick where you are in Mann Cup history Bandits have been the highlight, with the first unable to pass the ball. Practice a lot and use DID YOU KNOW: John has led the one, in 1992, when we won in sudden-death your stick so you can pass and shoot with a Bandits in scoring 10 straight seasons, overtime in Philadelphia, and the last one lot of accuracy. Try to make your teammates including 2008 where he tallied 87 points (2008) standing out more than the others. better, as opposed to just yourself.

BIGGEST INDIVIDUAL MOMENT IMPACT OF NLL ON The 1992 goal I scored in overtime against GRASSROOTS LACROSSE Philadelphia to win the championship. It was I think it is going to make the players better most memorable because we won and be- as the years pass. They watch the pros now cause of the goalie I scored on, Dwight Med- and they can learn; they can take those skills key. I have a huge amount of respect for and make the game better. From the time I Dwight, so I was a little intimidated shoot- started playing in Buffalo to now, the skill of ing against him. I felt that he knew exactly the game and the athleticism of the players where I was going to put the ball. In the has improved — everything has intensified. championship game, I took a backhand and I If the league continues to grow, a lot of kids had no idea where the ball was going and lo are going to play lacrosse and take it a lot and behold it went down, and in between his more seriously. The result is they will bring a legs. And of course all of the people I have better product to the floor. 

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 23 Field Lacrosse

For the spring field season, Ontario Lacrosse magazine

PLAYER

Helmet: All helmets must be CSA approved for ice hockey or NOCSAE approved. The helmet must have a chin strap which must be properly secured 1 on both sides and cannot be altered from the manufactured form. Facemask: Cannot allow the head of the stick or ball to make contact with the face. 2 Mouth Guard: Mandatory. Shoulder : One piece pad 3 made of flexible, high density impact foam pad with poly-plastic shoulder caps. When properly fitted offers protection for upper body and shoulders. Lacrosse Gloves: High density impact 4 foam and leather offer protection and flexibility. New contour cuff systems allow full range of motion at the wrist for maximum protection and mobility. 7 5 Arm & Elbow Guards: 6 Light weight hard plastic that offers protection for the whole arm, while allowing full range of motion of the arm at the elbow. Lacrosse Stick: Plastic head with aluminum, carbon graphite or titanium enhanced alloy shafts of various shapes and textures. The stick cannot be strung to with-hold the ball from play. Only one stop allowed. Lacrosse Stick Width: Standard stick width specifications are 4” to 10” inside measurement at the widest point. Lacrosse Stick Length: • Pee Wee and under (12 years and under) — 34” to 46” or 52” to 72” • Bantam and up (13 years +) — 40” to 46” or 52” to 72” • Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) — 40” to 42” or 52” to 72” Rib & Back Pads: A one piece light weight plastic and high density impact foam pad which offers protection for the rib and back area. Lacrosse Cleats: Only grass or field turf cleat allowed. Athletic Support & Cup.

8 Equipment Guidelines looks at the gear you need, to bring your game...

GOALKEEPER

1 Lacrosse Stick: Standard goalkeeper stick width specifications are up to 15” inside measurement at the widest point and an overall length of between 40” and 72”. 2 Helmet: All helmets must be CSA approved for ice hockey or NOCSAE approved. The helmet must have a chin strap which must be properly secured on both sides and cannot be altered from the manufactured form. Goalkeeper throat 3 guard is mandatory. Facemask: Cannot allow the head of the stick or ball to make contact with the face. Mouth Guard: Mandatory. Chest Protector: A mandatory protector for the upper 4 body made of impact-absorbing memory-foam construction, offering flexibility and unrestricted movement. Adjustable shoulder and waist straps allow custom fitting. Arm & Elbow Guards: Optional. Goalkeeper Gloves: High density impact foam and leather offer protection and flexibility. New contour cuff 5 systems allow full range of motion at the wrist for maximum protection and mobility. 6 Goalkeeper Pants: Shorts or track pants may be worn. Optional: Goalkeeper pants with anatomic mobility design and high impact foams. Goalkeeper Shin Guards: Optional. Lacrosse Cleats: Only grass or field turf cleat allowed. Athletic Support & Cup

7

8 EQUIPMENT BAG // Sticks & Heads

GAIT LACROSSE Nuclear The Nuclear stick has a new patent pending Control Grip throat design that improves control during one-handed cradling. Its traditional offset scoop and sidewall design offers all-around control, retention, speed, accuracy and lightweight performance, while its Recessed Lace Channels in the scoop allows for easy stringing and improved ground ball pick up. The handle is constructed of high strength Z09 Zirconium, and its flared bottom sidewall allows for a super tight pocket without the ball sticking on the sidewall lace. • www.debeerlacrosse.com

BRINE LACROSSE The Recruit The Recruit is a new entry level stick. The head is slightly offset, which allows players to learn to catch and throw. The reinforced open air sidewall design allows the stick to be stiff, while the wider face allows for easier catching areas and scooping ground balls. The soft mesh allows the pocket to form quickly. The stick comes complete with an aluminum handle. • www.brine.com

HARROW SPORTS Hemi Cuda ADIDAS Excel MH.209 The Hemi Cuda’s new design has reinforced sidewalls, better stringing hole The Excel MH.209 head comes with a mid-set positions and an overall tougher exterior. The Cuda features a tapered flex-point design that provides the advantages and feel of an for extra torque power and amazing ball control, and has a built-in butt end for offset head while allowing the ball to sit higher in secure hand placement and extended reach capability. Additionally, its offset head the pocket for a quick and accurate release. features a streamlined scooping range for effortless ground ball pick ups, while Features include: strong and rigid stiffened head its soft mesh assists players with catching. • www.harrowsports.com design; multiple stringing holes for custom pockets; and throat shape and moderate scoop shape for balancing ground balls, throwing and catching. Ideal for the performance player or midfielder. • www.adidas.com

26 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 Sticks & Heads // EQUIPMENT BAG

REEBOK 9K Career The 9K Career lacrosse head offers a tight grooved sidewall design that lowers the weight of the head, while its Pro-Pinched profile offers optimum ball control and reduces ball rattle. It features a rounded scoop design for scooping, scooped head construction, which allows for multiple pockets locations and an extremely quick release, and a Narrow V- Shaped Scoop, which keeps the ball channeled when shooting and passing. The head is strung with a pro-formed hard mesh pocket that allows for quick release and harder shots. www.reebok.com

STX Proton Power The Proton Power's gradual pinch and channeled design provides pinpoint accuracy when shooting and feeding. Equipped with STX Forward Cant for quicker passing and shooting, the head comes in a variety of colours, including white, black, navy, gold, purple, green and royal. Its new aggressive sidewall design and streamlined scoop create quicker ground ball pickups, while a new aerodynamic, independent sidewall and stop design makes it lighter and reduces ball rattle. The sidewalls are attached WARRIOR Wall Goalie lower on the throat for more stability and The Wall Goalie head was strength. • www.stxlacrosse.com created specifically for the indoor box goalie position. Based on the design of traditional wooden goalie sticks, the Wall is lightweight and offers a variety of stringing options. It features a rigid scoop for raking loose balls around the crease. www.warriorlacrosse.com

MOHAWK LACROSSE Thunder The Thunder’s arrowhead design, stiff sides and offset head make it ideal for face-off men and defensemen. Its narrow neck provides not only a pocket for protection, but also a channel for speed and accuracy for every shot and pass. The Thunder also assists players in reaching top speeds on shots and MAVERIK LACROSSE Juice Strung has a flatter top for picking up ground balls The Juice Strung head is designed around the on the run. www.mohawkintlacrosse.com ball’s natural momentum in the pocket when handling and offers a fast release point when passing and shooting. Its lowered To have your company's lacrosse products considered for potential preview in a symmetrical geometry acts like a claw to hold future issue of Ontario Lacrosse magazine, or on its web site, e-mail product the ball when a player is on the move and a features, specifications and high resolution picture to: [email protected] super cross ramp when players are unloading on the net. • www.maveriklacrosse.com www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 27 BAGGATAWAY // By Paul Whiteside THE GREATEST FRANCHISES IN JUNIOR ‘A’ HISTORY SIX NATIONS? ORANGEVILLE? WHITBY? WHAT ABOUT ? LET THE DEBATE BEGIN n sports, there are debates that can get even the most mild- next championship came in 1976 as the McDonalds, or in lacrosse I mannered fan worked up: Gretzky-Orr? Bird-Magic? Great circles referred as the Great Kevin Alexander team. A decade of near taste-less filling? misses as the Esquimalt Legion concluded with a 1988 title. Victoria is Take that one step further, trying to list the greatest franchises in best remembered for its losses. First, the 1963 Shamrocks succumbing the history of a particularly sport, and what you get are arguments that to the Green Gael , and then in 1985, when the Gait twins can last all night. With all this being said, I am going to create our own debuted for Whitby and beat them in that unforgettable game seven. little debate and attempt to list the greatest teams in Canadian lacrosse history. ORANGEVILLE NORTHMEN The following is hardly a definitive list, but 8 The team joined the league a simply one fans’ opinion of the greatest year after Six Nations, but also franchises to grace our beloved sport. made an immediate impact. Or- I’ve complied two top 10 lists, one angeville brought extraordinary each for Junior ‘A’ and Senior ‘A’. fan support to Jr. ‘A’ lacrosse. In this issue, I will tackle one The large crowds the North- half of the Junior ‘A’ list, with men attract on Friday and the rest of Junior ‘A’ ap- Sunday nights have made pearing in the next issue. Tony Rose Arena the The Senior ‘A’ list will Mecca of Ontario begin with the July issue lacrosse. Along the of Ontario Lacrosse and way, these fans have conclude in our final Orangeville been rewarded with edition, released in Northmen celebrate four Minto Cups and 2008 Minto Cup November. competitive teams To clarify, my great- every season. Small est franchises criteria town lacrosse at its is based on what the best, even if the com- they have done over the munity is outgrowing its entire history of the game. small town status. Essentially, which teams have had the most impact NEW WESTMINSTER upon the game we all love. 7 SALMONBELLIES The Salmonbellies have JUNIOR ‘A’ been around for years, yet they’ve had surprisingly little success. After holding They only burst on the Jr. ‘A’ scene in the Minto Cup as senior champions from 1913 10 1990, but the team from Ohsweken, with the to 1935, New Westminster has only hoisted the smallest population base of any junior club, has made a time- championship cup three times at the junior level. They were less impression: two Minto Cup wins and many near misses. The most mem- unlucky to have their best teams in the 1960s when they ran into the orable being the thrilling 1997 final against Whitby. Yet the Arrows’ greatest Green Gael juggernaut. Since then, they’ve been unable to overcome the legacy is the brand of offensive lacrosse they play, especially in the 1990s. Add powerhouse. The Salmonbellies have been around since the to that the incredible traveling fan support they’ve always enjoyed, and you start of junior lacrosse and will be around as long as the game is played. can truly state that Six Nations lacrosse is a celebration of the game. VICTORIA 6 Their initial run in Jr. ‘A’ had them lose in the 1960 finals. 9 The temptation is to call this team the Shamrocks, its name- Next came two Jr. ‘B’ championships in 1970 and 1974. They sake when it won the Minto Cup in 1962. However, the team’s returned to Jr. ‘A’ for good in 1975. Whitby’s breakthrough came in 1980, Gun Photography Photo: Hired

28 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009 BAGGATAWAY

with four more Canadian championships since then. In 1984, the War- Junior career on that last team. Six years later Jason Richards became rior nickname was adopted, and In 1997, coach Jim Bishop won his last the last former Gael in Jr.’A’. He was the OLA’s top playmaker in 1989. Minto with the club. Whitby’s greatest accomplishment has been to build the largest minor league system of lacrosse players the game has PETERBOROUGH LAKERS ever seen. This has guaranteed competitive junior teams every year. 1 The first team to top the Green Gaels’ seven Minto wins, Pe- terborough’s total is now at 11 with its last one being the un- BRAMPTON EXCELSIORS likely championship of 2006. For some, the total is 12, if one counts 5 Excelsior, the name of a Longfellow poem, was given to a the Hastings win of 1961, a squad comprised of Peterborough players. Brampton high school team in 1870. Needless to say, the Ex- The P.C.O’s began Peterborough’s run in 1972. The 1974 club produced celsiors have been a force in the game from the very beginning. Its best a perfect season, 46-0, followed by the James Gang that added a trio Junior clubs in the field era led to Brampton’s Mann Cup wins in 1930 of championships from 1981-1983. Then the Maulers capped the run and 1931. The first Minto triumph did not come until 1952. The with wins in 1986, 1987 and 1989. Ten Canadian championships in 18 1957-1959 dynasty concluded Brampton’s most successful decade. years and 13 Ontario titles in 19 seasons, plus an appearance in all but Brampton’s greatest contribution since then was at the 1976 Minto, one OLA final from 1971-1990. In contrast to today’s champions, for when it opposed the CLA rule, which allowed only the all those years you could count the number of non-Peterborough champion to pick up players. Since 1977 no provincial champs have minor lacrosse players on one hand. Equally remarkable, Lee Vitarelli, added players. Peterborough’s general manager, has run the club for more than 30 years now.  ST.CATHARINES ATHLETICS 4 The history of the St.Catharines A’s is a long one, with peri- Paul Whiteside is a lifetime lacrosse fan whom, back in the 1990s, had the ods of total dominance and stretches of hopeless futility. Its honour of conducting lacrosse research, pre-1961. That journey through Junior and Senior teams alike have gone through many rises and time took him beyond the box lacrosse era, back to the start of the Ontario falls. At the Minto Cup, the Athletics represented Ontario from 1946- Lacrosse Association and the glory days of the National Lacrosse Union. 1949, winning twice. The best players from those teams moved to Pe- terborough to win four consecutive Mann Cups (1951-1954). Eventually, fortune fell so low for the A’s that they dropped out of site Take the LEAP to from 1978-1981. Legendary coach Jim Brady brought them back in 1982, and in the following year, the club embarked upon a league the next level! record 22 straight winning seasons, including four Minto champi- onships and countless near misses.

BURNABY LAKERS 3 When it comes to success, this suburb-based club has dominated B.C. lacrosse since 1961. That domination reached the point of surreal a few years ago when the Lakers won every league title from 1996 to 2007, including five Minto wins, though none in the East. Actually, the Cablevision teams from 1977-1979 might be Burnaby’s greatest dynasty as they won three Canadian titles in three Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the U.S., years. Prior to 1977 B.C. teams had won only three Minto Cups in the and over the last 6 years, the fastest growing sport in the NCAA. This translates into opportunities for qualified Canadian youth previous 15! The 1977 Cables went to Whitby, lost the first two games to experience a U.S. college education then ran off four straight wins. Ironically, in 1997, Burnaby returned to Whitby, won the first two games then lost four straight. LEAP Lacrosse is here to nurture such opportunities. With a ded- icated group of coaches, facilitators and staff, the goal of LEAP OSHAWA GREEN GAELS Lacrosse is to showcase Ontario lacrosse talent to U.S. college 2 In contrast to the other top franchises the Gaels’ history fits coaches and expose Ontario athletes to the possibilities of an into a compact 21 years at the Junior ‘A’ level. Jim Bishop’s education south of the border. fast-break style revolutionized the game. All Green Gael teams played that ultra offensive lacrosse. The best teams were the squads that won "LEAP Lacrosse showcases some of the finest Canadian seven consecutive Minto Cups from 1963-1969. After that unbelievable Lacrosse players in Ontario. An extremely well organized stretch, there were no more titles, however, there were many enter- program, LEAP Camp provides a great opportunity to play the game at the next level." taining teams and great players. How did a team of such legendary sta- - Kyle Georgalas, Cornell University Lacrosse tus cease to be? Well, Oshawa minor lacrosse virtually died out in the late 1970s. By attracting players from all over the country, the Gaels www.leaplacrosse.com continued to compete and contend until 1983. Bob Hamley began his www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com February 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 29 IN ACTION

BLAINE MANNING #16 Toronto Rock Photo: Graig Abel Photography

30 Ontario LACROSSE | February 2009