SPRING 2009 | $4.95

HEADING SOUTH Ontarians making an impact at U.S. colleges

Josh Sanderson, What life is like Roughnecks playing in the NLL

Major Series

raring to go CPM Agreement #40752539 www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com

Spring 2009 • Volume 1 • Issue 2 // CONTENTS

Photo: Danny Musser FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 8 Photo: Graig Abel Photography WHERE SERIOUS PLAYERS SHOP NEWS & NOTES 18 Profiles of several power lax retailers 4 New direction for OLRA • The return of wood • CLA introduces standard net design WEEKEND WARRIORS 20 What life is like playing and coaching TECHNICAL TOOLBOX in the NLL 9 Pre-season stick maintenance

HEADING SOUTH RULE BOOK 28 Although a great accomplishment, 12 Goalie equipment & behind the net goals playing lacrosse at a U.S. college is no doubt a challenge for every Remembering Jammer NATIONALS REPORT student-athlete 14 A look at Toronto’s new professional team UNBRIDLED ENTHUSIASM 36 34 OLA Junior ‘A’ League pumped for BAGGATAWAY another season 16 The greatest franchises in Senior ‘A’ history STAR POWER 44 EQUIPMENT BAG 36 Q&A with Jim Brady, commissioner Gloves of

ROAD TRIP 38 St. Andrew’s College hops on a bus ON THE COVER for some team bonding and pre-season , competition Photo: Martin Allinson Anthony Cosmo, Brampton Excelsiors www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | LACROSSE 3 NEWS & NOTES

Ontario Lacrosse magazine is the primary source of information for Ontario lacrosse players, parents, coaches and officials. Published quarterly (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), Ontario Lacrosse is mailed directly to more than 10,000 members of the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Our readers turn to the magazine for the latest lacrosse news, products, trends, insights and expert opinion. All editorial submissions and article queries should be sent to Paul Grossinger, NEW DIRECTION FOR OLRA editor: [email protected]. The Ontario Lacrosse Referees Association (OLRA) will begin The views expressed by the authors an overhaul of operations and are not necessarily those of the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) or general direction this year. The KAP Publishing Ltd. All editorial OLRA, whose mandate is to rep- submissions are subject to editing. All resent all lacrosse officials in rights reserved. Contents may not be Ontario, is exploring new ways reprinted without written permission of the OLA and KAP Publishing. to meet that . This process began with PUBLISHER clinic and tournament survey Ontario Lacrosse Association responses that indicated many 3 Concorde Gate, Suite 306 Toronto, ON M3C 3N7 referees were unclear about T: 416-426-7066; F: 416-426-7382 the mandate of the organization or how best to communicate Published in partnership with: problems and concerns. Addi- KAP Publishing Ltd. tionally, many officials felt the 1054 Centre Street, Suite 199 Thornhill, ON L4J 8E5 organization was too focused T: 905-370-0736; F: 905-747-0409 on . In its attempt to resolve this [email protected] perceived problem, the OLRA, during the 2008 www.kappublishing.com season, made inroads with the women’s box, EDITOR women’s field and men’s field officiating sectors Paul Grossinger to become a more inclusive organization for all [email protected] active officials. Changes for the upcoming season include ART DIRECTOR sourcing volunteers for association operational Mark Tzerelshtein [email protected] roles and program initiatives based on the ex- perience profiles of referees. With more than ADVERTISING SALES 1,000 referees as members, the OLRA has an REPRESENTATIVE existing resource of expertise in all kinds of Dave Douglas areas and industries. These skill sets will be uti- CONTRIBUTORS lized to a greater extent this year as the associ- Paul Grossinger ation moves forward with several new projects. Nicole Kallmeyer One of the more noticeable projects is the Roger Lajoie launching of a new OLRA web site (www.ontar- Ryan McLean iolacrosseofficials.ca). It is designed to share Association Referees Photos: Ontario Lacrosse Brandon Phillips Benjamin van Galen information, clarify technical questions and connect with other officials, with the goal to have Paul Whiteside all OLRA members registered with username and password IDs before the beginning of the 2009 season. Canadian Publications Mail #40752539 Under the direction of Wayne Paddick, the OLRA’s newly elected president, the organization’s Return Undeliverable Canadian executive has been divided into two working groups: operations, which will directly service ap- Addresses to: proximately 1,100 OLRA members along with various leagues; and administration, which will KAP Publishing Ltd. deal with the mandate of the organization itself (i.e., the administration, financing, referee re- Circulation Department 1054 Centre Street, Suite 199 cruiting/retention and communication roles of the OLRA). Thornhill, ON L4J 8E5 “Our overall goal,” says Paddick, “is to get back to basics, put faces to the OLRA, get out to the events, have a voice, and be accessible and more accountable. In the end, we want to recruit, re- Printed in Canada tain and respect all officials in Ontario.”

4 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 NEWS & NOTES

OLA CONSIDERING CLA INTRODUCES STANDARD NET DESIGN INTERMEDIATE AGE CHANGE Effective January 1, 2012, the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) will standardize all The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) Minor lacrosse nets in Canada under a recently introduced policy. Until now, net designs across the Council will be dealing with several important country sported a variety of differences, including post/crossbar widths, anchoring systems policy changes for the up-coming season, in- and overall dimensions. Under the new policy — and consistent with most other sports — nets cluding an age eligibility change to its Inter- will be uniform in design, thus ensuring increased safety and fair competition. The new net mediate division. designs will be included in future up-dates of the CLA Rulebook, and will be available in two ver- Currently, the Intermediate division serves sions: 4' x 4', used primarily for minor lacrosse, and 4' x 4'6", used by various leagues above minor. players 17-21 years old — the same age group In Ontario, the Major, Senior ‘B’ and Junior ‘A’ leagues will all use the larger width net during the 2009 as Junior lacrosse. Historically, the Interme- playing season. diate group has seen age eligibility at 17-19 The new net design (mandatory colour red) is very similar to those currently used in the Na- years of age and more recently 17-20 before tional Lacrosse League with a 16" drop depth from the post on both CLA versions of the goal. reaching its current status. The expansion of Next month, the CLA will be publishing a list of approved lacrosse net manufacturers and both Junior ‘B’ lacrosse during the past decade and NAMI/STX Canada and Warrior Lacrosse currently have CLA approved versions available for the return of an eight-team Junior ‘C’ sale. The CLA, Ontario Lacrosse Association, the Canadian Recreation Facilities Council league has provided additional opportunities and the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association will soon be advising lacrosse organiza- for players in the 17-21 year age bracket, so tions, municipalities, educational institutions, government agencies, First Nations com- the discussion has turned to designing the munities and private sector facility operators about the new standardized lacrosse nets best bridge between Midget lacrosse and a and the implementation deadline. number of Junior lacrosse development paths. “We are looking forward to working cooperatively with municipalities over the next three “With the significant growth of Intermedi- years to ensure the new standardized nets are in place,” says Ron MacSpadyen, OLA program ate lacrosse in recent years, we want to ensure director. “Ultimately, the new nets mean increased safety and that's a common goal for all part- we meet the interests and needs of as many ners in sport and recreation.” players as possible" says Marion Ladouceur, OLA vice-president of minor lacrosse. “With the expansion of Junior lacrosse opportunities, we feel we may be able to better serve the In- termediate division if the age eligibility was something less than a five-year cohort. That is what we intend to research and consider.” This spring, the Minor Council will also be considering ways to improve its online score- board so all game scores, results and records from every zone are available in a timelier manner. As well, in February, the Minor Council recommended the following policy changes be considered by the OLA Board of Directors: • Moving the OLA Registration Seminar from the March Semi-Annual General Meeting to the Friday of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November; • Referees may not officiate more than four games per day at OLA Invitational Tourna- ments; • Game fees for OLA qualifiers to be in- creased to $65 from $50 per game. The qualifier entry fee remains unchanged at $750; and • Minor Council also announced a house league lacrosse symposium will be held on the Friday of the 2009 OLA AGM; a house league resource kit is being developed by the Grass Roots Committee for distribution at that time. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 5 NEWS & NOTES

FRIENDS WE’LL MISS The lacrosse world recently lost two outstand- In 1990, Huck was an important part of a pionships , held last July in Coquitlam, B.C. ing pioneers of the game, Lionel “Huck” group that brought the Regals Junior ‘B’ fran- Galluccio was also very active in the develop- O’Connell in Guelph, Ont., and Kenneth Gal- chise to Guelph. When fans arrived at the Vic- ment of the game across Europe and was a pi- luccio in Hamburg, Germany. toria Road Recreation Centre, there was oneer of the European Lacrosse Federation’s O’Connell will be remembered as one of “Huck” running the snack bar to raise money Berlin Open and Champions Cup, hosted last the finest lacrosse players and coaches to support the team. It was only proper that he October by his Hamburg Warriors club team. from the Guelph area and, according to his was honoured last August for his lifetime con- One of his great passions was photograph- local Hall of Fame induction plaque, some- tribution to lacrosse prior to the beginning of ing the game. Most of his excellent pictures one who “spent half his life in arenas either the Founder’s Cup Canadian Junior ‘B’ Cham- from European box and field events that ap- holding a lacrosse or hockey stick.” A mem- pionship hosted in Guelph. pear in lacrosse magazines and web sites ber of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Kenneth Galluccio was the driving force be- were captured through his lens. He always had the Fergus Thistles Hall of Fame and the hind the growth of lacrosse in Germany, or- great photos to share after every international Guelph Sports Hall of Fame, O’Connell also ganizing referees, building youth programs lacrosse event. served as an assistant coach with the Uni- and managing the U-19 team that had the While both O’Connell and Galluccio will be versity of Guelph Gryphons football and country’s best-ever showing at the Interna- missed, their meaningful contributions to the hockey programs. tional Lacrosse Federation U-19 World Cham- game will no doubt live on.

THE RETURN OF WOOD HUNTLEY COMES HOME While the past few years has seen a revolution in lacrosse When Dave Huntley stick technology and design, the traditional wood stick ap- roams the sidelines this pears to be making a comeback. summer as the head From the origins of the sport, native family names like coach of the Toronto Na- Benedict, Mitchell, Logan, Squires and Williams supplied tionals, the newest mem- the lacrosse world with quality wood sticks, many of them ber of the Major Lacrosse made in Six Nations and Cornwall, Ont. All-leather and League (MLL), he’ll be re- leather-nylon stringing were the dominant types and until turning, not just to a city he knows, but also to the early 1980s, the exclusive stick used in the game. familiar family and friends. The introduction of composite materials, plastic heads and Huntley was born and raised in central Eto- manufacturing processes to design helped rev- bicoke and played his minor and Junior Delby Powless olutionize the game and fuel exponential growth in the sport. showcases lacrosse with the Rexdale Warriors before be- latest wood As the market shifted to newer technologies, fewer wood sticks. coming a three-time All-American at Johns sticks were being produced, however, wood seems to be gain- Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. ing renewed popularity. As a player, he was a member of Hopkins’ Delby Powless Sr. of Six Nations and Talon Lacrosse of San Francisco, Ca., recently joined 1978 and 1979 NCAA championship teams, and Mohawk International Lacrosse of Cornwall and Alfred Jacques of Onondaga, NY, in wood stick a member of Canada’s 1978 world champi- production. onship team. He also was the recipient of the Powless started making sticks primarily because of supply problems. “Our Powless McLaughlin Award in 1979 as the National Mid- lacrosse store had wood stick orders from last summer. Early this year, we still had no fielder of the Year in NCAA lacrosse. As a coach, wooden sticks in the store,” he says. Huntley has served as an assistant on the With a background in woodworking, Powless consulted several of the traditional wood stick Canadian National Team at four world champi- makers and recently introduced a wood stick under the Powless name. onships, including 2006 in London; helped “At the World Field Lacrosse Championships in London, Ont., several years ago, we sold all guide the MLL Baltimore Bayhawks to the the wood sticks in stock and would have sold a hundred more if we had them,” he recalls. league championship in 2005; and has been on Different than the Powless hickory stick, Talon Lacrosse has introduced a twist to the tra- a bench almost every year since 1987 in the Na- ditional solid wood core stick. tional Lacrosse League (NLL), where he cur- The Talon shaft is actually constructed with a hardwood veneer outer layer surrounding rently is head coach of the Philadelphia Wings. a fiberglass core, which, according to Cort Kim, vice-president of Talon, “gives our shaft the While Huntley and his family reside in Tow- ideal combination of the feel of wood and the strength and lightweight performance bene- son, Md., his mother Barb, brother Brian and fits of composite technology. Both Kim and Powless agree on the four characteristics of a sister Carole all live in Toronto. Brian, also a good wood stick: 1) well-balanced, both side to side and from shaft to head); 2) a narrow head, Hopkins alumnus, is a field referee and box wide enough to catch, but narrow enough to know at what point the ball is releasing; 3) linear coach, and Carole, a former elite high school correctness, a straight shaft not bent or warped to one side; and 4) a customized shape/thick- and university basketball star, serves as team ness of the shaft to create the best “connection” between the player’s hands and the stick. manager with Mimico’s box lacrosse team.

6 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 We’re proud of our graduates now playing US Collegiate Lacrosse

Kyle Bergman M.J. Kiekebelt Jon Thomson Tyson Geick Drexel University Rochester Institute of Technology Mercyhurst College (NCAA Division I) (NCAA Division III) (NCAA Division I) (NCAA Division II)

ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM 2006, 2007, 2008 Conference of Independent Schools’ Champions (CISAA) 2007 Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations’ Champions (OFSAA)

For more information: call: 905.727.3178 ext. 303 www.sac.on.ca

NDC<:HIG::I 6JGDG6:HI67A>H=:9>C6AA 7DNH C<96N NEWS & NOTES // Events

JAMMERRemembering

n April 10-12, the 1st Annual Jammer Classic was held O at Cherry Beach Sports Fields in Toronto. Established in memory of Jamieson Kuhlmann, a talented player and leader in the Lacrosse Club, the weekend event was kicked off with a four-team high school showcase followed by a midget tournament that saw 10 teams — Beaches, Guelph, Pe- terborough, Newmarket, Orangeville, Mimico, Hamilton, St. Cather- ines, Burlington and Oshawa — produce some great lacrosse. The highlight of the weekend was the field naming ceremony, in which Kuhlmann's life and love for lacrosse will be remembered by every- one who visits the fields. In total, the event raised $13,500 for the Childen's Wish Foundation. Visit the complete Jammer Photo Gallery at www.imagesofyou.ca. All proceeds of prints ordered will be sent to the Children’s Wish Foundation.  Photos: Images of You Photos: Images of

8 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 By Brandon Phillips // TECHNICAL TOOLBOX

BEFORE HITTING THE FLOOR GETTING INFOR TRAINING CAMP THIS SEASON, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR STICK FOR ANY GAME SHAPE FRAYED MESH, BROKEN HEADS OR BENT SHAFTS

hen you hit the floor for the first time W this season, you have already put in countless hours, preparing yourself for the test that lies ahead. When you are working so hard to earn a spot on a team or for more playing time, the last thing you need is for your stick to let you down. Your stick needs to be just as ready for the challenge as you are. Un- fortunately, many players overlook equipment prob- lems until it is too late. Coaches want to see your best and if your stick is hold- ing you back, you are definitely not doing yourself or lubricant of that nature. You may want to and place it under the bottom rail of your head, any justice while running up and down the floor. follow the spray treatment with a touch of but above the ball. You may need to apply After sitting in the basement, closet or talcum powder to reduce residue, as well some pressure to the ball in order to allow the garage during the off season, in addition to all as improve mesh texture. ball and knife to stretch the pocket. You should of the pounding it took last season, your stick • After softening the pocket, give it a little bit leave the stretcher in your stick for a day or so, probably needs a tune up before you pound the of a pounding with your hand, a ball or at which point you should remove the stretcher pocket and hit the floor this year. whatever else you like to use. and find a wall where you can throw the ball To begin getting your stick in game shape, Your stick’s mesh should now be nicely against in order to work your pocket in further. give it a thorough check for holes or frays in worked in. If the mesh has turned out to your With a little bit of work, you will have your the mesh, bent or broken shafts, and loose, liking then you are ready to go for the season. old stick ready for action. Regardless of the cracked or broken heads. You will need to get However, you might notice the stick is now level you play at, never overlook the proper any broken or damaged components replaced smaller than it was last season. In this situation, maintenance of your stick because if your stick prior to your first practice in order to be famil- the best approach to adopt is to use a pocket is not at its best then you are selling your tal- iar with any changes in the performance of stretcher to stretch out the mesh. If you don't ent short.  your new equipment. It is always surprising to have a pocket stretcher, all you need is a find that your stick doesn’t throw the same and a butter knife. way as it did last season, and spending half of Place the lacrosse ball in the desired area your first practice trying to work the kinks out, of your pocket, and then take the butter knife is frankly a waste of time. As is often the case with a stick that has been sitting around for several months, its mesh pocket might become a little bit stiff and may even be smaller then it was last season.

To help alleviate this problem, here are several Photos: Brandon Phillips tricks you can use to soften your mesh: Brandon Phillips is a life-long lacrosse enthusi- • Use talcum or baby powder; ast. His career took him from minor paperweight • For pockets that are wet or dirty, hit the all the way to the Junior level with the Clarington mesh with a very small amount of WD-40 Green Gaels.

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 9 Ontario Lacrosse

DATE EVENT LOCATION DATE EVENT LOCATION MAY J UNE

1-3 Masters Invitational Midland 12-14 St. Catharines Midget Showcase St. Catharines 3 Coaching Clinic (Box) Sudbury 13 Arthur Midget Girls Tournament Arthur 9 Coaching Clinic (Box) 13 Toronto Nationals vs BMO Field, Toronto 9-10 Coaching Clinic (Box) Whitby Washington Bayhawks 22 Toronto Nationals vs BMO Field, Toronto 13-14 Shelburne V-Day Tournament Shelburne Chicago Machine 13-14 Stayner Fairplay Tournament Stayner 22-24 OLA Minor Field Lacrosse Brampton 18-21 Sonny Herrington Tournament Cornwall Provincial Championships 19-21 Barry Burman Summer Shoot Out Orangeville 23-24 Last Chance Coaching Clinic TBA 19-21 Harry Kazarian Memorial Owen Sound 28-31 NOTL Thunderhawk Tournament Niagara-on-the-Lake 19-21 Masters Invitational Niagara-on-the-Lake 29 Toronto Nationals vs BMO Field, Toronto 20 Arthur Pee Wee Tournament Arthur Long Island Lizards 20 OLA Junior “B” All-Star Game Leamington 29-31 Innisfil Wolkpack Shoot Out Innisfil 20 Toronto Stars Fathers Day Showcase Toronto 29-31 Peterborough Laker Classic Peterborough 20-21 Stayner Fairplay Tournament Stayner 29-31 Six Nations Memorial Tournament Six Nations 21 Troy McDougall Memorial Arthur 30 Elora Pee Wee Tournament Elora 24-28 Zone Final Ratings Meetings 31 Elora Bantam Tournament Elora 26-28 1st Annual Don Swindells Memorial Ajax J UNE 26-28 Bill Buckley Tournament Hamilton 26-28 Ruth Dietrich Invitational Kitchener 1 OLA Minor Box Registration Deadline 27 Toronto Nationals vs BMO Field, Toronto 2-3 OFSAA Boys A/AA Peterborough Field Lacrosse Festival 27-29 Herb Lea Memorial Sarnia 4-5 OFSAA Boys AAA/AAAA Aurora 27-July 1 Midland Civitan Invitational Midland Field Lacrosse Festival 5-7 John “Gus” McCauley Memorial Brampton J ULY 6 Arthur Bantam Tournament Arthur 6 Elora Midget Tournament Elora 3-5 Hamilton Super Series Hamilton 7 Arthur Novice Tournament Arthur 3-5 Masters Invitational Huntsville 7 Elora Intermediate Tournament Elora 3-5 Ray Broadworth Memorial Gloucester 7 Jack Bionda Shootout Huntsville 3-5 Scott Gerrie Memorial Fergus 12 2009 Dove 37-Hour Charity Lacrosse Game Aurora 4 Arthur Midget Tournament Arthur 12 Registration Appeal Deadline OLA Office 4-5 4th Annual Chiefs Tournament Cambridge “ ” 13 Registration Appeals/ OLA Office 4-5 Whitby Chicks with Sticks Tournament Whitby Minor Council Meeting 9-12 NOTL Thunderhawk Tournament Niagara-on-the-Lake 12-14 Bob Patching Invitational Caledon 10-12 Barrie Tornado Classic Barrie 12-14 Chuck Miller Royal City Classic Guelph 10-12 Jack Bionda Shootout Huntsville 12-14 Limestone City Invitational Kingston 10-12 1st Provincial “A” Qualifier Tournament Whitby 12-14 Milton Invitational Milton 10 Ratings Appeal Deadline OLA Office

10 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 Event 20 Association Calendar 09

DATE EVENT LOCATION DATE EVENT LOCATION J ULY AUGUST

11 Elora Tyke Tournament Elora 7-9 Masters Invitational Welland 11 Final Ratings & Appeals Holiday Inn, Mississauga 8 Toronto Nationals vs BMO Field, Toronto 11-12 Milton Invitational Tournament Milton Denver Outlaws 11-12 Bonnie Falkiner Memorial Orangeville 8-9 Women’s Senior Box Lacrosse Provincial TBA 12 Elora Novice Tournament Elora 14-16 Final Six “A” Provincials (PW/BTM/MGT) Brampton 16 OLA President’s Challenge Golf Tournament Burlington 14-16 Intermediate Provincials Niagara-on-the-Lake 16-19 13th Annual Tournament Nepean 17-22 Founder’sCup Edmonton, Alberta (Canadian Junior “B” Championship) 17-19 Dan Greer Memorial Clarington 21-23 Masters National Brampton 17-19 Fred Conradi Memorial St. Catharines Invitational Championship 17-19 Jack Bionda Shootout Huntsville 21-30 Brampton 17-19 Masters Invitational Owen Sound (Canadian Junior “A” Championship) 17-19 Nickel City Shootout Sudbury 24-28 Midget Lacrosse Championship of Canada Brampton 17-19 Six Nations Confederacy Tournament Six Nations 24-29 Presidents’ Cup Six Nations 18-19 Boyd Balkwill Memorial Tournament Orillia (Canadian Senior “B” Championship) 20 Provincial Schedules Released ontariolacrosse.com 23 Toronto Nationals vs BMO Field, Toronto SEPTEMBER Cannons 4-6 Alumni Cup Manitoba 24-26 2nd Provincial “A” Qualifier Tournament Whitby (Canadian U16 Men’s Field Championship) 24-25 Mimico Invitational Tournament Mimico 4-6 First Nations Trophy Manitoba 31-Aug 9 Ontario Lacrosse Festival Whitby & Oshawa (Canadian U19 Men’s Field Championship) 31-Aug 2 OLA Bantam Provincials Whitby & Oshawa 11-17 31-Aug 2 OLA Pee Wee Provincials Whitby & Oshawa (Canadian Major Championship) 31-Aug 2 U15 Girls Field Provincials Whitby & Oshawa 19 Laurie Montgomery Fall Field Shoot Out Orangeville

AUGUST OCTOBER

2-4 OLA Tyke Provincials Whitby & Oshawa 9-11 Ross Cup Mississauga (Canadian Senior Men’s Field Championship) 2-4 OLA Girls Box Provincials (BTM) Whitby & Oshawa 9-11 Victory Trophy Mississauga 2-8 Bantam Lacrosse Championship Whitby & Oshawa of Canada 31-Nov 1 OUA Field Lacrosse Championship TBA 2-8 Pee Wee Lacrosse Championship Whitby & Oshawa of Canada NOVEMBER 4-6 OLA Girls Box Provincials (PW/MGT/INT) Whitby & Oshawa 6-8 OLA Annual General Meeting Niagara Falls 4-8 Bantam Girls Lacrosse Whitby & Oshawa 7-8 CUFLA Field Lacrosse Championship TBA Championship of Canada 7-9 OLA Novice Provincials Whitby & Oshawa 7-9 OLA Midget Provincials Whitby & Oshawa www.ontariolacrosse.com www.ontariolacrossefestival.com 7-9 U19 Girls Field Provincials Whitby & Oshawa www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 11 RULE BOOK GOALIE EQUIPMENT, DELAY OF GAME AND BEHIND THE NET GOALS

QUESTION: Are there certain regulations re- garding the size of goalie equipment in minor box lacrosse? ANSWER: Goalie equipment in minor box lacrosse is a little different because we don't actually measure it. Originally, the plan was to require goalies to wear equipment marked with a standard size number come 2010. If you are familiar with goalie equipment you may have already noticed a large “1,” “2” or “3” sewn onto the outside of goalie . Currently, not all equipment has these num- bers and the plan to standardize equipment has been delayed until 2012. Under the new definitions, pads will be manufactured closer to a player’s body shape. So for now we are left with what we have done for the last few years, and that is check for conformity: Does the equipment follow the general shape of the player wear- ing it? Player safety is always paramount, but if the players’ shape is not square then their equipment should not be either. As with all lacrosse equipment checks, the coach and/or captain have to request a referee to perform one during a stoppage in play. They must tell the referee what specific part of the equipment they want checked, and there can be only one request per stop- page in play. One way or another, someone will be getting a penalty when a check is performed.

12 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 RULE BOOK

QUESTION: Recently, I was in a game when arenas that have a small or short floor. In the referee restarted play in the crease with these cases the back line of the crease is the goalie holding onto the ball. I was stand- often not painted at the minimum six feet ing right on the edge of the crease shadowing behind the goal line. In these short floor sit- the goalie, when the referee told me to back uations to have your goal count you must up and give the goalie nine feet of space. have one foot in front of the back line. When I didn't move, I was given a delay of The back line is the back of the crease, game penalty, and to this day, I’m not sure so in these situations if both of your feet are why. Can you explain? behind the crease the goal will not count, ANSWER: This rule has always been in the and possession will be awarded to the op- rulebook, but has not always been properly posing goalie. Considering that your foot enforced. The rule is clear in that you have When the referee asks you to provide that cannot break the plane of the cylinder to give nine feet of space from the player, distance and you refuse to move, it is indeed formed by the crease you must be standing goalie included, being awarded possession. a delay of game penalty. To put it simply, at the corner to have one foot ahead of the If the goalie is content to stand right on the consider all awarded possessions the same, back line. This puts you much closer to six goal line in front of the net and make his or no matter where they are on the floor or who feet away from the goal than you would have her clearing play from there, you can be has the ball. If you give nine feet in all cases, been standing directly behind the net.  standing on the edge of the crease. The you will be fine. crease is a nine-foot radius centered on the Do you have any rules-related questions for net, so you are nine feet away. For every QUESTION: Can I stand behind the net, reach box, men's field, women's field and/or mas- step the goalie (or a player who is in the over and score a goal? ter's rules lacrosse? If so, e-mail them to off- crease) takes toward the crease line, you ANSWER: The short answer is yes, but the [email protected]. One of our must take an equal step back to maintain rule has changed somewhat for 2009. experienced officials will gladly answer them the nine-foot distance. Across the country there are a number of in a future issue of Ontario Lacrosse.

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 13 NATIONALS REPORT// By Roger Lajoie

A TEAM IS BORN

COACHED BY DAVE HUNTLEY AND WITH A ROSTER COMPRISED OF THE LIKES OF BRODIE MERRILL, JOHN GRANT AND , THE TORONTO NATIONALS ARE LOOKING TO TAKE THE MAJOR LACROSSE LEAGUE BY STORM

BMO Field in downtown Toronto will be the home of the Toronto Nationals when the team plays its inaugural season in the .

oronto’s newest professional sports team “We feel the time is right and the [fran- ruary 20 and both were well received, with the T takes to the field this summer — and chise] price is right too, given the recent eco- team quickly putting the pieces in place both local lacrosse fans are in for a real treat. nomic conditions,” Brown says. “We know it’s off and on the field as the season draws near. The Toronto Nationals are indeed the always a challenge to get attention in the The Nationals didn’t take long to name newest sports franchise in the city and they Toronto market but we feel we can capitalize their first head coach as well, with Dave Hunt- will be playing their home games at what is on the growth of the sport in Ontario. ley receiving the honours. also the newest sports stadium in the city – “We’re working,” he adds, “with the Toronto “I was very surprised and flattered when BMO Field, down at Exhibition Place, the home Rock and their fan base to promote our prod- Stuart asked me to be the coach of the Toronto of the wildly successful Toronto FC of the uct and we think we’ll have a great product on Nationals,” says Huntley. “When he told me Major Soccer League. the field. It’s an exciting sport and we know about the ownership group and their vision for Major League Lacrosse (MLL) is also new lacrosse fans will love the outdoor game as the team, I felt it was something that I needed to Toronto, but Stuart Brown, one of the club’s much as they do box lacrosse.” to be a part of.” owners, and its president and general man- The initial reaction to the franchise has Huntley has a lot of experience in the sport, ager, feels the time is right for the launching of been very positive. The team’s name and logo as he’s been involved with the National a professional field lacrosse team in Toronto. were announced at a press conference on Feb- Lacrosse League since its inception in 1987

14 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 NATIONALS REPORT

when it was called The Eagle League. He was sionate about the sport and the market has the first general manager in Philadelphia Wings proven it can support and embrace professional history and has worked for the Baltimore Thun- lacrosse,” says Brodie Merrill, referring to the der, Pittsburgh Crossfire, potential fan base of the team. “Canada is seen and over the years. primarily as a box lacrosse country, but adding Huntley is currently head coach of the a MLL franchise will obviously contribute to the Wings, a position he’s held for the past two expansion of the field game in Canada and ul- seasons. He’s also been a four-time coach for timately broaden the scope of MLL fans.” Team Canada, and won the gold medal at the The Toronto Nationals, and all MLL teams, 2006 World Field Championships as an assis- began training camp on April 25, with the Na- tant coach. Rock Photos: Toronto tionals kicking off its 12-game season on May “Dave has both played and coached with Championships” Huntley insists. “Guys like 15 against the Washington Bayhawks at our national program and brings a wealth of Brodie Merrill, John Grant, Gavin Prout, Colin Navy-Marine-Corps Memorial Stadium in professional and international experience” Doyle, Jeff Zywicki and Jordan Hall are great Annapolis, Md. says Brown. “I would describe him as a true players but they are even better team mates. The home opener is on May 22 at BMO Field player’s coach, someone who engages his It will be great re-connecting with them this when the team hosts the Chicago Machine. players and has great communication skills.” summer.” 2009 Toronto Nationals season tickets Huntley will have a very strong roster to The Nationals will have at least 10 Cana- are now available, with prices starting as work with, as the club’s nucleus won a league dian players on its roster by the time the sea- low as $90. For more information on all title last year with Rochester, and also in- son gets underway, giving the team a real local available ticket packages, contact the cludes many players from Canada’s national feel. Its motto of “Two nations, one team” is : 416-596-3075; tickets@ field lacrosse program. also a reminder of their strong connection to nationalslacrosse.com.  “Our roster includes a number of guys that Native Canadians as well. I was very fortunate to coach in the 2006 World “Canadian lacrosse fans are extremely pas- 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 Brodie Merrill 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 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 ultimate dream of playing Division I lacrosse has come true. Thanks Hill Academy!" - Jason Card 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 Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 15 BAGGATAWAY // By Paul Whiteside THE GREATEST FRANCHISES IN SENIOR ‘A’ HISTORY FOR SOME, PETERBOROUGH IS NUMBER ONE, WHILE FOR OTHERS IT IS BRAMPTON OR MONTREAL. IN THE END THOUGH, A TEAM FROM THE WEST TAKES TOP HONOURS

n the premier issue of to claim a spot on this list, but Josh Sanderson celebrates Brampton's 2008 Mann Cup victory. I Ontario Lacrosse, we looked keep in mind the Adanacs have at the top 10 franchises in now competed in the last 44 sea- Junior ‘A’ history. Now it is time to sons of senior lacrosse. No On- turn our attention to Senior ‘A’ tario Lacrosse Association (OLA) lacrosse and the franchises that have team can boast such longevity. helped shaped the sport for more than 120 years. MONTREAL Similar to the Junior ‘A’ list, the fol- 8 SHAMROCKS lowing is just one fans' opinion of the The first centre of the greatest teams to grace our beloved lacrosse universe was Montreal sport. To clarify, my greatest teams cri- as no community was more in- teria is based on what the franchises strumental in leading lacrosse to have done over the entire history of the the big time than the Irish. The game. Essentially, which teams Shamrocks were the National

have had the most impact upon the Photo: Martin Allinson Lacrosse Union’s (NLU) premier game we all love. team for three decades, in the game’s most popular league ever. Their best stretch was five NEW WESTMINSTER successive titles from 1901 to 1905. 10 ADANACS This franchise had nothing ST.CATHARINES to do with the current Adanac 7 ATHLETICS (Canada spelled backwards) team The Athletics last won the OLA title back in 1963. from Coquitlam. This was purely a Most of the years since then the A’s have not even competed. New West club. With the Salmonbel- It is a hard to believe this was once Ontario's greatest lies importing eastern players in the lacrosse team. One must go back to 1946 for St.Catharines’ 1930s the locals rebelled and formed last Mann Cup win. That culminated a dominant period from the Adanacs. What was amazing was 1938 to 1946, but the A’s couldn't hang on to their young play- the success this “second team” ers. They won championships for other towns while the Gar- achieved, including two Mann Cup ti- den City bloom suffered from an early frost. tles. By the 1950s the Adanac’s for- tune declined and the club merged BROOKLIN REDMEN with the Salmonbellies. 6 Long time intermediates, the Redmen made the Photo: Brampton Excelsiors jump to senior lacrosse in 1961. A very nice decade followed with five OLA titles, plus two Mann Cup wins. It wasn’t until the 9 The hard-luck kids of senior lacrosse, Coquitlam came along mid 1980s that Brooklin hit its stride again with a fantastic 15-year run, in 1965 and finished in first place the next year, but lost in the which included tying the OLA record with seven consecutive titles (1985- league final. They were also finalists four times in the 1970s. Finishing 91). Success and popularity soon caused the Redmen to vacate the vil- first in 1980 it looked like their year, but unluckily they blew a 3-1 semi- lage and move to the big city of Whitby. final lead to New Westminster. Eight years later, when they grabbed a 3- 1 advantage in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) final, history BURRARDS appeared to be repeating itself as the Salmonbellies came back to win 5 The Burrards have been a force in B.C. lacrosse since the games five and six. Yet the Adanacs prevailed in the deciding game to win late 1930s. Their glory era was the 1960s when they were the its first championship. Another 13 years passed before the club finally won team of the decade. During this time frame, Vancouver won four Mann the Mann Cup. One Canadian championship might seem to be a bit thin Cups in seven years. Their most infamous moment was the last game

16 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 BAGGATAWAY

of the 1967 final when they took ball ragging They won the last two field Mann Cups in 1930 and hard work of owner Ted Higgins kept the club to such an extreme that the Canadian 1931. Interestingly, George Sproule played on all going. He was rewarded for his effort as the Lacrosse Association introduced the shot those teams dating back to 1911. The box era was franchise rebounded in the new century to cap- clock the next season. In recent years, the a different story for the club. Excelsior fans had to ture three titles from 2004 to 2007. team has moved to Surrey then to Maple Ridge wait nearly half a century for their next Canadian — two locations curiously not on Burrard Inlet. championship in 1980. Brampton made history NEW WESTMINSTER then as the only last place team (fourth in a four- 1 SALMONBELLIES team league) to ever win the Mann Cup. Since It didn't take the Salmonbellies long to 4 Compared to its Lower Mainland ri- 1992 the club has been at the top of the standings make their mark. In 1908 they defeated the NLU vals, Victoria was late to the game. practically every year, with today’s team enjoying champion Shamrocks in Montreal to win the Minto The Shamrocks only joined the Inter City its best run yet with most recent championships Cup, which at the time was awarded to the top Sen- Lacrosse League in 1950. Five years later Vic- in 1998, 2002 and 2008. ior 'A' club in Canada. As a senior championship toria ended Peterborough’s Mann Cup dy- trophy the Minto would never reside east of New nasty. However, the 1960s and 1970s were PETERBOROUGH LAKERS Westminster again! In the box era the Salmonbel- barren decades, although they did win a Mann 2 For most of the game's history the lies became the first club to win a dozen Mann Cup in 1979. The Shamrocks’ greatest success town has been an insignificant back- Cups. The club is most famous for its home floor at has come recently with nine WLA titles and water. That all changed in 1951 when Lloyd Queen’s Park Arena with the wooden boards.  four Mann Cups between 1996 and 2006. Wooton, Curly Mason and Russ Slater all de- fected to Peterborough from Owen Sound. Four Paul Whiteside is a lifetime lacrosse fan whom, BRAMPTON EXCELSIORS Canadian championships immediately fol- back in the 1990s, had the honour of conducting 3 One of the oldest teams still operat- lowed, along with seven consecutive OLA titles. lacrosse research, pre-1961. That journey ing, the Excelsiors date back to 1871. It was a grand old time from 1951 to 1984. Then through time took him beyond the box lacrosse Brampton's first successes came as OLA champs it all changed. By the 1990s the Lakers had hit era, back to the start of the Ontario Lacrosse As- from 1911-1913. After the war, they were one of such hard times they were playing out of the sociation and the glory days of the National the OLA’s top teams until the end of the field era. Kinsmen Arena to an indifferent public. Only the Lacrosse Union. 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 Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 17 WHERE SERIOUS PLAYERS SHOP WHEN IT COMES TO SOURCING AND BUYING LACROSSE EQUIPMENT, THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO GO THAN THESE POWER LAX RETAILERS

THE LAX SHACK changed the name to The Lax Shack, and ex- Lacrosse is more than just a sport or hobby panded the premise into a 300-square-foot for Troyhann Santos. “Lacrosse is basically my lacrosse player’s paradise. life,” she says. Over the past 10 years, Santos has seen “dras- She isn’t exaggerating for the game is in her tic” improvements in not only the quality of blood. Santos’ father played lacrosse, her brother lacrosse equipment, but also in the variety of has been a professional lacrosse player for 27 products players can choose from. She has also years, and she herself was a top lacrosse player, noticed an increase in customer knowledge due including participating in 16 World Cup games. to a swelling of print and online information, as So when Santos completed her degree in well as greater exposure given to some of the top marketing, the only profession that made sense players in the . to her was one that involved the sport she loved With savvy consumers in mind, Santos makes and knew so well. She began working at a tiny sure she attends equipment review meetings and store in Pickering called Pro Boss Lacrosse in brushes up on new industry information so she 1998. A few years later she purchased the store, is prepared to answer any difficult questions that may arise. She also prides herself and her staff on their product knowledge and customer service. Every- one who works at the store has played the sport, and therefore possesses the passion and expert- ise needed to provide players and parents with Delby Powless, who owns Powless Lacrosse accurate information and equipment that fits. Store, located in Hagersville, Ont. Santos contrasts service at The Lax Shack to Powless opened the store in 2004 in the Iro- that of sports superstores, which she says employ quois Lacrosse Arena owned by his father. At people who often keep customers waiting and first, the only brand name lacrosse manufacturer know very little about lacrosse. “People serious he carried was Warrior, with him being the store’s about lacrosse come to us,” she adds. only employee. “It took a lot of work and patience to get POWLESS LACROSSE STORE everything up and running,” he says. Today Powless boasts four full-time employ- ees and sells equipment made by several high profile manufacturers, including Gait, STX and Mohawk International Lacrosse. Powless is excited by the sport’s growth since he first picked up a stick 24 years ago. The latest sign of expansion is the creation of lacrosse lines by major sporting goods brands, such as Reebok, New Balance and Adidas, he explains. “When the big-time shoe companies start noticing the sport you start to think it’s going to take off.” First played by native North Americans to earn The store’s arena location makes it easy for tribe glory, lacrosse is one of the few elements players to stop by and purchase a few items be- of First Nations culture adopted by European fore or after a game. Powless explains that cost settlers. Although the game has evolved from has a large influence on players’ purchasing deci- its ritual roots, it is still the most popular sport sions, but since his store is on a reserve, all of the in many of Canada’s native communities, says products are tax-free.

18 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 “For parents who have two, three or four kids properly fit customers with equipment. One of EQUIPMENT playing the sport, you want to be able to keep the key purchasing problems for young lacrosse PURCHASING TIPS their cost down as much as possible,” he says. “Es- players, believes Sanderson, is they often lean pecially in today’s economy.” towards buying equipment that is too big. How- • Make sure kids’ protective gear ever, with his and employees’ lacrosse experi- is as lightweight as possible. It is important they are able to move SANDERSON SOURCE ence, they possess the ability to point them in fluidly in their padding. FOR SPORTS the right direction so customer’s buy gear that • Shop around and ask questions fits properly. before making a purchase. “Everyone wants something light, strong and • Buy bicep pads; they’re the most fast,” Sanderson says. “Rather buy something important piece of protective cheap that fits right than something expensive equipment that many people forget. that doesn’t fit.” True and tested words from a • Buy a helmet that fits properly. lacrosse retail veteran. • Buy comfortable equipment that fits properly. T. LITZEN SPORTS • Go to niche lacrosse retailers that are staffed by people who play the game and have a passion In the tiny neighbourhood of Ontario lacrosse re- for it. They will outfit players tailers, Sanderson Source for Sports is the oldest much better than big box stores resident. Currently owned by NLL great Josh that “have some lacrosse Sanderson, the store was originally launched by equipment in the corner of the his father and uncle who opened a general sports store to make sure they don’t shop in Orangeville 17 years ago. Since then, the miss out on making money.” store has narrowed the product range to lacrosse and hockey gear exclusively. “To me, lacrosse and hockey go hand in hand,” Sanderson says of their The decision to sell lacrosse equipment “fell into decision to cater to both sports. my lap,” asserts Ryan Denholm, the national sales manager of T. Litzen Sports. The company started in the 1990s as a wholesaler of , and one day the president of Guelph’s lacrosse league walked into T. Litzen’s showroom and asked for 200 sticks. Denholm did some research, made a few phone calls, filled the order and then continued to expand his com- pany’s lacrosse offering. see changes in look and innovation all the time.” T. Lizten’s primary location is in Dundas, but in They are also more influenced by marketing recent years, has expanded to include three retail than most other athletes, he believes. “Advertis- outlets in Mississauga, Kitchener-Waterloo and ing does not find [the players], they find the ad- Halifax, N.S. A fifth store is scheduled to open this vertising,” he says, adding that dollars spent on summer in Durham Region. Most of the company’s lacrosse marketing are never wasted. business comes from supplying athletic equipment But not all players want the latest and best gear. and uniforms to schools across the country. Those who are new to the sport often ask if they can use some of their protective equipment from hockey, Denholm says. Although he suggests wait- ing to see if a child really takes to lacrosse before buying lacrosse-specific gear, he explains that shoulder pads in particular are designed differently Lacrosse has become increasingly popular in for lacrosse, primarily because the sport requires the small towns surrounding Orangeville, arms to be risen above the ahead as opposed to Sanderson adds. He has seen more local lacrosse hockey, where arms are facing downwards. organizations sprout up, and has noticed a sig- Although T. Litzen stocks 10 different nificant change in the technology and efficiency lacrosse brands, it sells uniforms more than any- of equipment. “The days of wooden sticks are Denholm says lacrosse experienced massive thing else and is the exclusive Canadian distrib- gone,” he says, adding that today’s sticks are pri- growth between 2000 and 2004, but over the last utor of Nike Team Wear. “We are the largest marily made of titanium and have carbon shafts few years, the expansion has leveled off. However, supplier of lacrosse uniforms in Canada,” Den- and plastic heads. this plateau has not prevented continued equip- holm proclaims.  All of Sanderson’s employees are lacrosse ment evolution. “Brands change things up quite players, and are thus well versed on how to a bit,” Denholm says. “Lacrosse players expect to Nicole Kallmeyer is a freelance writer in Toronto, Ont. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 19 Weekend WARRIORS

FROM MISSED FLIGHTS TO MISSING EQUIPMENT TO BROKEN DOWN BUSES, THE LIFE OF A NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE PLAYER INCLUDES A GRUELING TRAVEL SCHEDULE, NOT TO MENTION THE NEED TO BALANCE BOTH FAMILY AND WORK COMMITMENTS BACK HOME

// By Paul Grossinger

few weeks ago, Brodie Merrill was A sitting in the Air Canada Lounge at Vancouver International Airport watching “his” Montreal Canadiens play on tel- evision when he suddenly realized he forgotten something. No, it wasn’t his luggage, nor was it his passport. It was his flight. “You really need to stay on top of things,” says the fourth-year member of the Portland LumberJax. “My traveling buddy [and fellow team mate), Pat Jones, is an organized guy and he usually baby sits me on the road.” Merrill’s traveling miscue is not all that un- common for today’s crop of National Lacrosse League (NLL) players for he is just one of many players that venture to the airport on a Thurs- day or Friday, suit up for a game on Saturday night, and then board another flight back home first thing Sunday morning. Currently, many of the NLL’s 12 teams are stockpiled with players currently living in On- tario. For the ones that play on any of the six East Division teams, travel is still part of their weekly schedule, but it is nothing compared to their fellow brethren who play on a West Divi- Brodie Merrill sometimes travels 12 hours sion club. Their life during the season is not to get to his home games in Portland. only spent preparing for games, similar to their

20 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 lifestyle when he joins up with his team mates on weekends. “By going through airports and grabbing quick meals, I think I eat healthier when I’m at home,” says Cousins, who has also won four Mann Cups in his career. “The fitness factor is huge in the NLL and some guys are learning the lesson too late. I hope some guys catch on be- cause they are going to be left behind if they don’t buy into what NLL teams expect from them. Players are getting faster and stronger, and it is up to the player to do that kind of stuff.” Cousins is in its eighth NLL season, and un- like Merrill, only has a six hour door-to-door travel day when making his way from Toronto to Minnesota. But like Merrill, he too has experi- enced the perils of travel. Last year, Cousins made the NLL All-Star Game, played in Edmon- Bob McMahon, a stay-at-home dad, admits it is tough ton, Alta. The night before, he had a game in to coach without mid-week practices. Photo: Colorado Mammoths Photo: Colorado Minnesota, so he flew out late to ensure he ar- East Division counterparts, but also dealing with grueling traveling sched- rived on time. He made the game, but his equipment never did. As such, ules that have them in airports, airplanes, rental cars and taxis for some- he played the game wearing other people’s equipment. times up to 12 hours at a time. “There is a saying in the NLL: Hurry Up and Wait. If you are not used “It is a traveling man’s league,” proclaims Josh Sanderson, who lives to that or if you can’t do it, then you won’t last.” in Orangeville, but plays for the . “I think I have it For most players, who travel from Ontario to play for teams other than easier than some of the guys and I have a lot of respect for a lot of the Toronto, Buffalo and Rochester, most of their time away is spent practicing, guys in the league, whether they are flying or driving. It is not easy.” Take Merrill as an example. During the 16-week NLL schedule, he racks up more air miles than some traveling salespeople. Venturing on a weekly basis from his home in the Greater Toronto Area to Portland or to road games in such cities as San Jose, Minnesota, Calgary, Edmonton or Colorado, he spends every weekend going through the same travel rou- tine. And with no direct flights from Toronto to Portland, Merrill’s 12- hour door-to-door journey for home games sometimes takes its toll. Actually, for Merrill, away games are easier for him because many of these destinations have direct flights from Toronto. “I’d be lying to you if I say it didn’t,” says Merrill, referring to the neg- ative impact all the travel may have on his performance. “It is a challenge. You really need to focus on eating well, having good nutrition habits dur- ing the week, getting enough sleep, taking care of your body on the off days and preparing yourself for the travel on the weekend. “Over the years,” he adds, “you get used to it and you become a better traveler. You work it into your routine. The biggest challenge for me is the three-hour time change between Toronto and Portland. You fly in Friday night for a Saturday night game at 7:30 p.m., and it is really 10:30 p.m. Toronto time.” And like most, if not all, NLL players and coaches, Merrill holds down a full-time job during the week. He is the head lacrosse director at The Hill Academy, a private school his family founded in Kleinburg, Ont. “It is the nature of the league,” says the 6'4" 27-year old. “Most players need to maintain a full time job away from lacrosse. I’m fortunate to play in the league and play for Portland, so it’s something you try not to com- plain about. You can’t take this opportunity for granted.” For some players like the ’s Ryan Cousins, the weekly grind is a good fit with his lifestyle. As a personal trainer, he understands the need to eat healthy and work out between games, and is fully dedi- cated to ensuring he is game-ready whenever the referee blows his whis- tle. Actually, he says it is tougher to eat right and maintain a healthy www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 21 Last year, Ryan Cousins(left) had to play in the NLL All-Star Game with other players' equipment because his never arrived at the arena. Photo: Minnesota Swarm “You have to use your hours on the floor wisely,” he says, referring to the challenges NLL coaches face. “You can’t practice in the middle of the week like the East Division teams, so you get together on the weekend, and For Josh Sanderson, the toughest part about playing in the NLL you go hard that night. It is the nature of the beast for the western teams. is leaving his kids every weekend It is a business trip. You are in and out.” during the season. To prepare his team, McMahon holds a two-hour practice at 10 p.m. on eating, sleeping and playing. There the Friday night before games, as well as provides each player with scout- is really no time to sight see or hang ing reports and video clips to review the day of the game. out with their team mates unless it is And just as McMahon recounts, not all good travel stories happen in while enjoying a meal before or after the the air. He recalls, while coaching in Albany, the team bus breaking down game, or while at the rink preparing for six out of eight road games along the Queen Elizabeth Way. “One time we or winding down from a game. Nights pulled into the arena 15 minutes before the game. That was a year from before games are spent practicing, hell in terms of travel.” while the day of the game is often Then there is Ed Comeau, currently the coach of the New York Titans. used for strategy sessions, video Living in Hamilton and a sales representative for Otis Elevators, Comeau analysis, shootarounds and some- has coached in the league for 10 years, with time spent in both Toronto times a mid-afternoon nap. and Rochester. He believes he is fortunate that his travels only take him Fans of the NLL also have to keep in to New York and primarily other East Coast cities, as opposed to some of mind that the players aren’t the only ones his counterparts that fly across the country to coach. who spend time away from home and “It is difficult when you have a family,” he adds. “Everyone in the league

Photo: Martin Allinson waiting at airports. Coaches and referees would agree that family is a big part of this. If you don’t have a support- experience the same grueling schedule ing family, it is very difficult to continue to be involved.” as the players themselves. Sanderson, who owns Sanderson Source for Sports, a lacrosse specialty Bob McMahon, who coaches store in Orangeville, concurs. the Colorado Mammoth, lives in Or- “The toughest part is family. Obviously, leaving your kids is the tough- angeville and has been living the life of a NLL coach for 12 years now. est. With the store, I have good employees so I know the store will be With previous coaching stints in Arizona, Detroit and Albany, McMahon taken care of.” is no stranger to leaving his family on a Friday and returning once the By the way, Merrill caught a later flight in Vancouver and was bumped weekend is over. He is also extremely familiar with trying to assemble a up to first class. I guess life in the NLL isn’t all that bad!  cohesive, quality team without the luxury of practice time and daily in- teraction with his players. Paul Grossinger is the editor of Ontario Lacrosse magazine.

22 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009

RECEIVING A SCHOLARSHIP AND PLAYING LACROSSE AT Heading A U.S. COLLEGE IS A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT, BUT THE CHALLENGE OF MAINTAINING HIGH GRADES, WHILE KEEPING SOUTH UP WITH A DEMANDING LACROSSE SCHEDULE, IS // By Ryan McLean NOT ALWAYS AN EASY TASK

n athletic scholarship to a United A States college is something few Canadians are offered — regardless of the sport they play. Whether it is basketball, football, hockey, soccer, or swimming, just to name a few, the number of Canadians toiling in Division 1(D1) — or even Division 2 or 3 — athletics south of the border is really minute when one looks at the full scope and size of U.S. college sports. Lacrosse is no different than those other sports, but because of the high quality of play in Ontario and throughout Canada, many up-and- coming lacrosse stars are jumping at the chance to play at a U.S. college, while receiving a free or partially paid for education while doing so. One such player is Alison Daley, who suits up for Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. The 20- year-old goalkeeper from Peterborough, Ont., is enjoying her second year playing D1 lacrosse and is really making a name for her self. After a 2008 season in which she started all 18 games, posted a goals against average of 11.99, and was twice named MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, Daley is off to a good sophomore season boasting a 6-6 record in league play this year. Although she is enjoying her experience at Canisius, Daley does encourage young girls com- ing across the border to play lacrosse to keep in mind several important items. “Besides just looking at the lacrosse side of things, make sure that everything you are look- ing for academically is there,” says the former captain of the Kawartha Lacrosse Club. “Ulti- mately, once your four years are done at college, there is nothing left for women’s lacrosse, so you want to come out with a solid education.” This sentiment was echoed by team mate, Carley Quinn, while en route to a game earlier this season. “Young girls really need to decide whether they want to play Division 1, 2 or 3 lacrosse,” Alison Daley, Canisius College Photo: Canisius College

28 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 the Colonials in this his fresh- the season, we watch films after 5 p.m., and then man season, Matisz is work- do homework. There is not a whole lot of time ing hard to maintain a 3.0 to have to yourself, so you just prepare and use grade point average, which he time management to deal with it.” needs in order to meet his ac- If all this isn’t enough for student-ath- ademic scholarship require- letes, Ontario players have to adjust to play- ments. ing a new style of lacrosse. Matisz’s coach, “Generally, my daily Kenneth “Bear” Davis, understands the dif- schedule goes from 8 a.m., till ference in styles amongst box lacrosse, played 9 p.m.,” he says. “Eight till primarily in Canada, and field, most popular noon is class, and then 12 till in the U.S. He also has a great deal of confi- 5 p.m., is lacrosse. In addi- dence in Ontario players coming across the tion, in first semester, it’s border and playing what is for some an en- mandatory that freshmen at- tirely different sport. tend study hall for three “With these guys having such little field hours every other day. During lacrosse experience, our thought process was

Carley Quinn, Canisius College Photo: Canisius College

adds the 19-year-old Orangeville native. “One of my friends is in a Division 3 pro- gram and they don’t practice nearly as much as we do. You need to decide whether you want to do it, because once Kyle Buchanan, Robert Morris University you do, lacrosse becomes a full-time com- Photos: Robert Morris University mitment.” we knew it would be a learning curve; it Quinn, a member of the Under-19 was just how quick can they pick it up,” Canadian National Team that finished he says. “How quick can they apply their fourth at the 2007 Junior World Cup, is box skills to the field game and under- also in her sophomore season at Cani- stand it? With our past experience with sius. Her freshman season saw her Canadian guys, we knew it took about a record seven goals and eight assists. full year to really understand the field At U.S. colleges, men’s lacrosse is no game and apply the skills.” different than the women’s game for Relatively new to field lacrosse, Kyle there are no free passes when trying to Buchanan, a 21-year-old freshman at maintain high grades, while keeping up Robert Morris, knew he could play a with a demanding lacrosse schedule. Time leadership role, despite having to learn management becomes a saving grace for a new system. dealing with the stresses that come with “I never really played field lacrosse the new lifestyle, says Stoney Creek native until I came here,” says Buchanan, orig- Kiel Matisz, who is currently enjoying inally from of Nepean, Ont. “I wanted his first season with Robert Morris Uni- to be a leader since I’ve played with versity in Moon Township, Pa., located some really good box teams. I wanted just outside of Pittsburgh. to learn the system and get a feel for The 19-year-old midfielder describes the game and hopefully play in the the life of a university student as long and springtime. Field is a lot of more sys- dedicated. Besides scoring eight goals and tematic, where as box, it is a more run- tallying 14 points in his first 12 games for Kiel Matisz,, Robert Morris University and-gun style.”

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 29 MALE DOMINANCE Here's just a sample of the Ontario men currently playing NCAA lacrosse.

PLAYER COLLEGE HOMETOWN LEVEL PLAYER COLLEGE HOMETOWN LEVEL Aaron Fill Becker Ladner D3 Joe Stanley Potsdam Lakefield D3 Adam Jones Canisius Owen Sound D1 John McClure Dowling Brampton D2 Aidan Genik Hartford Toronto D1 Jonathan Thomson Cornell Orangeville D1 Alex Crepinsek RIT Oakville D3 Jordan Joncas Potsdam Kanata D3 Andrew Stoner Lycoming Orangeville D3 Jordan MacIntosh Gordon Oakville D3 Andrew Suitor Adrian Orangeville D3 Jordan Sealock Robert Morris Airdrie D1 Anthony Lackey Whittier Orangeville D3 Josh Gillam Dartmouth Peterborough D1 Austin Thomas Bryant Mississauga D1 Kevin Brownell Robert Morris Burlington D1 Ben McCullough Potsdam Brampton D3 Kevins Woods Mars Hill Newmarket D2 Brad Levick Elmira Newmarket D3 Kiel Matisz Robert Morris Stoney Creek D1 Braden Artem Catawba Acton D2 Kris Clement Oswego Pierrefonds D3 Brandon Ree St Andrews Barrie D2 Kyle Bergman Drexel Toronto D1 Brock Sorenson Ohio State Peterborough D1 Kyle Buchanan Robert Morris Nepean D1 Bryan Neufeld Siena Virgil/Niagra D1 Kyle Kallay Mercyhurst Orangeville D2 Cade Zulak Mars Hill Ajax D2 Kyle O'Brien Dowling Whitby D2 Carter Bender Hartford Caledon D1 Dowling Brampton D2 Chad Howson Mars Hill Newmarket D2 Denver Oshawa D1 Chris Cudmore Mars Hill Whitby D2 Matt Bertrand Seton Hill Oakville D2 Clark De Geer Hartford Orangeville D1 Matt Campbell Bellarmine Orangeville D1 Syracuse Six Nations D1 Matt McMurray Gettysburg Orangeville D3 Corey Small Albany St Catherines D1 Matt Quinton Roanoke Elora D3 Cory Upshaw Notre Dame De Namur Orono D2 Michael Cudmore Hartford Ashburn D1 Dan Coates Canisius St Catherines D1 Michael Howe Cornell St Catherines D1 Dan MacCrae RIT Oakville D3 Mike Jacques Wheeling Jesuit Sarnia D2 Dan MacIssac American International Port Perry D2 Mike Pantelone Neumann Aurora D3 Dave Brock Albany Burlington D1 Mike Pires Ohio State Saanichton D1 Dave Morton Robert Morris Orangeville D1 Mitch Barnard St. Andrews Barrie D2 David Hodgins Mars Hill Windsor D2 Mitch McMichael Cornell Port Perry D1 Derek Hopcroft Bellarmine Toronto D1 MJ Kiekebelt RIT Caledon D3 DJ Clevely Adrian Orangeville D3 Nick Diachenko Delaware Courtice D1 Eric Benesch Mars Hill Bloomingdale D2 Rick Acorn Elmira Barrie D3 Eric Hubert Adrian Mississauga D3 Robert Koger Georgetown Toronto D1 Eric Whettell American International La Salle D2 Ryan McClelland Colgate Brampton D1 Hobart Orangeville D1 Scott Gamble Elmira Toronto D3 Garett Ince Virginia Oakville D1 Sean Gilles RIT Oakville D3 Garett Kerr Quinnipiac Caledon D1 Sid Smith Syracuse Ohsweken D1 Graham Bergsma Fairfield St Catherines D1 Stephan LeBlanc Queens/NC Restoule D2 Grant Gosselin University of New England Beaconsfield D3 Stephen Keogh Syracuse Toronto D1 Greg Miceli Stony Brook King City D1 T.J. Cook Adrian Caledon D3 Greg Norris Susquehanna St Catherines D3 Todd Hosmer Potsdam Scarborough D3 J.A. MacDougall Mercyhurst Brantford D2 Travis Gibbons Canisius Owen Sound D1 Jaime Lincoln Denver St Catherines D1 Trevor Veres Wheeling Jesuit Windsor D2 Jay Card Hofstra Caledon D1 Tyler Burton Mercyhurst London D2 Jeff Ivey Adrian Orangeville D3 Tyler Collins Colgate Toronto D1 Jesse Fehr Harvard Calgary D1 Tyler Douglas Dominican College St Albert D2 Jesse Gamble Cornell Rockwood D1 Bryant Whitby D1

30 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 Another U.S. school that hasn’t shied away from recruiting Ontario born players is the University of Hartford. Aidan Genik and Carter Bender have both adjusted well to their new scenery and their coach, Peter Lawrence, is happy they came. “I think it’s fair to say, they have exceeded expectations. Both Carter and Aidan are capable of being all rookie team, possibly all conference guys, even this year as freshmen,” says Lawrence. “Even as freshmen they have taken leadership roles. We count on them for us to have suc- cess. The expectations will only get higher every year they are here.” Through the Hawks’ first nine games this season, Genik was tied for the team’s lead in points, with 19, while Bender was hot on his tail, just one point behind him. Genik is no stranger to success. In 2005, he played for the Edge Ontario Selects squad that went undefeated; a year later he helped the Ontario team win the Brogden Cup and then in 2007, he won the U-19 National Lacrosse Championship. The Toronto native says he found his way to the University of Hartford after playing a tournament in the area, in which the school’s men’s lacrosse coaches saw him play, showed some interest in him and eventually offered him a scholarship, one he couldn’t refuse. “It’s been a different experience for me. Here it’s a more catch-and- shoot style of play,” says the 20-year-old attacker. “The American style is much more technical. Back home, you had a few plays, but mainly you just went to the net to make something happen, but here it’s a lot more set. The speed of the game is faster since you only have 20 seconds to get it over the half when you’re clearing it and then another 10 seconds to get it in the box. Where as international rules you can take as long as you want. Plus, the collegiate level is more athletic and the defenders in America are a lot better.” Aidan Genik, University of Hartford Photo: University of Hartford Photo: University of

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 31 GIRL POWER Here's just a sample of the Ontario women currently playing NCAA lacrosse. PLAYER COLLEGE HOMETOWN LEVEL Alana Chan George Mason Lakefield D1 Alison Rusak Canisius Orangeville D1 Allison Daley Canisius Peterborough D1 Ally Phillips Notre Dame College (OH) St. Catherine's D2 Amanda Jones Belmont Abbey Owen Sound D2 Ashley Curtis Niagara Peterborough D1 Ashley Rutz La Salle Milton D1 Awehiyo Thomas Canisius Ohsweken D1 Brianna Robertson Lycoming Brechin D3 Britt Farquharson UC Davis Mississauga D1 Brittany Kovacs St. Francis Oshawa D1 Cara Dadswell Belmont Abbey Port Elgin D2 Carly Quinn Canisius Orangeville D1 Christine Comeau Longwood Whitby D1 Claire Conrad Slippery Rock Guelph D2 Corina Mahorn Detroit Mercy Whitby D1 Dana Dobbie Maryland Guelph D1 Dana Funkenhauser Adrian Windsor D3 Desiree Dabrowski Long Island Orangeville D1 Emily Boissonneault Detroit Mercy Brooklin D1 Emily Watterson St. Francis Whitby D1 Erin Roach Adrian Windsor D3 Gena McPherson Notre Dame (OH) Brampton D2 Hillary Neale Adrian Mississauga D3

Jalene McCulloch Elmira Belleville D3 Carter Bender, Janaye Dzikewich Louisville Whitby D1 University of Hartford Photo: University of Hartford Photo: University of Jayme Beard Ohio State Hawkestone D1 Jennie Greenlee Neumann Burlington D3 Jennifer Morse Notre Dame (OH) Brampton D2 As for Bender, his lacrosse résumé is also littered with success. The 20-year- Kallie Briscoe Hamilton Orangeville D3 old, 6'3" attacker played for the Ontario Edge Seniors team in 2006 that went undefeated in 30 games in the U.S. and won the NDP National Tournament of Katie Illiott Limestone Whitby D2 Champions. Katie Smith Syracuse Ohsweken D1 “This is my first spring here and I like it a lot,” says the Caledon, Ont., na- Katrina Rabishaw Adrian Sharon D3 tive. “It was kind of hard to step in as a freshman, but we have a lot of good Kayla Dubowski Neumann Emeryville D3 young guys coming here and we are trying to turn things around, especially Kristen Millar Vermont Whitby D1 the reputation of the program, to a more elite team. The team is coming to- Kristie Jennings Mercyhurst Whitby D2 gether. We had a few close games, but we are starting to gel more now and I think we can put it together. As a team we need to do the little things.” Lauren Martin Lees-McRae Whitby D2 There is no doubt the level of play in U.S. is helped by the Lisa Ryan Converse Burlington D2 presence of Ontario-born players (see page 30) bringing their skills, desire Megan Austriaco Adrian Rockwood D3 and dedication to their respective teams. Megan Oosting Canisius Buckthorn D1 However, most U.S. college players from Canada echo the same advice to Melissa Nakasuji Limestone Ajax D2 the future generation of lacrosse stars looking to make the transition: get Natasha Blackburn Ohio State Mississauga D1 your name out there, play in as many tournaments as possible and actively pursue the head coaches of the schools by letting them know when you are Nicole Alexopoulos Neumann King City D3 coming to a tournament in their area, and that you are interested in the pos- Paige Mason Roanoke Orangeville D3 sibility of attending their honoured institution as a student-athlete.  Rachel Johnston Adrian St Catharines D3 Sierra Smith-Hart Louisville Whitby D1 Ryan McLean is a freelance writer in Calgary, Alta.

32 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009

Unbridled ENTHUSIASM WITH THE MINTO CUP IN BRAMPTON THIS YEAR, THE OLA’S JUNIOR ‘A’ LEAGUE IS PUMPED FOR ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON // By Roger Lajoie

009 promises to be an exciting season schedule and playoffs to get through first, and 2 for the Ontario Lacrosse Associa- Mcleod says this season will be more competi- tion’s Junior ‘A’ League. Here’s why: tive than it’s ever been. the competition in the league gets better and “There are still the teams who are tradition- better each year, there aren’t just a few teams ally strong that you expect to be there every capable of winning a title as was the case several year,” McLeod says, “but what has changed is years ago, and best of all, the 2009 Minto Cup is the overall strength of the league. The teams coming to Brampton no matter what happens. that are second through seventh are much more “We’re looking forward to an exciting season competitive than they used to be, for sure,” says Dean McLeod, commissioner of when there was maybe one the Junior ‘A’ League. “I think we’re going to see or two powers and one of the most competitive seasons we’ve seen that’s it. It’s a lot in Junior ‘A’ lacrosse in a long time. And of more competitive course we’re really looking forward to the Minto now because we Cup in Brampton.” have a lot more The Minto Cup will, without question, be the skilled players in highlight of the year for local Junior ‘A’ fans, as the this league.” Powerade Centre in Brampton will host the national Looking at last Photo: Mike Maloney Photo: Mike Junior ‘A’ championship from August 22 to 30. year’s results, it’s It will be a four-team round-robin event, hard to argue with played in a shorter period of time than last McLeod on that point. year’s tournament, with a best-of-three series The Orangeville deciding the winners. It’s modelled after the Northmen enjoyed a successful Memorial Cup format (Canadian tremendous regular Hockey League), just in a more condensed for- season and finished mat, according to McLeod. in first place with “It’s a week of lacrosse and we feel this is the a 19-3 record, six best format that gives us the best chance at being points ahead of successful financially and on the floor,” McLeod Six Nations and says. “We think we need to have a host team St. Catharines, selected a year ahead of time so they who were tied for can properly plan and prepare for an event like this, and we think this format works best. Some of the lacrosse traditionalists say they miss the best-of-seven format, but this is catching on and I think in the second. But Akwesasne was just one point long term, it is going to be a very successful behind them and eight of the 12 teams in the format for us.” league finished with at least 20 points. Before the Minto Cup takes Brampton by Orangeville then needed six tough games just storm, there is the 22-game regular season to get by Brampton in the opening round, and Six

34 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 veteran coach. “And that’s not arrogance; it’s just that we’re so proud to be Northmen. We’ve been to the Minto Cup in 2000 and 2003; we’ve always been close. But it’s been a long time since we’ve won one, and it’s a great feeling to be able to do it this year. I couldn’t be prouder of these kids.” Jon Harnett and were two key members of last year’s Cup team and both have a year of junior eligibility left. Both were also drafted in the NLL draft, with Harnett going to with the first pick of the third round (26th overall) and Rose going two spots later to the Toronto Rock. McLeod says that is further proof that the OLA Junior ‘A’ League is the place to be for any young lacrosse player. “The Junior ‘A’ league is a better developmen- tal league for any young player for the NLL or Nations needed seven games to dispose of St. Major Series Lacrosse, it’s that simple,” McLeod Catharines in round two. The Northmen then elim- says. “More and more kids want to play Junior ‘A’ inated Six Nations in the OLA final in five games, and we’re seeing that in places like Orangeville.” which included one overtime tilt, before winning the It’s also true in Six Nations, as the Arrows won Minto Cup with a 9-4 win over Victoria in the final the Minto Cup in 2007 and are once again expected game of last year’s tournament, held in Calgary. to challenge. Ditto for Peterborough, who will try to McLeod says that’s just an example of how rebound from a .500 season last year, and St. tight the top teams in the league are right now. Catharines, national champions in 2001 and 2003. “Peterborough, a couple of seasons ago Brampton will be in the Minto Cup final for (2006), is a good example of a team that came sure as hosts. They will be joined by the OLA out of nowhere to win,” McLeod says. “Nobody champion or the runners-up should they man- really saw that coming. There are a lot of teams age to surprise and take the league crown. in Junior ‘A’ that can win this league now. Sure After a disappointing season last year the Whitby you still have the traditional powers, but look at Warriors are looking to rebound to once again be- how hard they have to work to win.” come one of the league’s better teams, while every Count the Northmen as one of those powers other team in the 12-team Junior ‘A’ loop starts the for sure. Last year’s title was its fourth and the season with optimistic hopes for a better year. team has turned Orangeville into a small town “It used to be that you could pretty much figure lacrosse powerhouse, building a squad that can se- out who the top teams were right at the start of riously compete for a championship most seasons. the season, but like I said, that isn’t the case any- “We feel like we’ve got the best organization more,” McLeod says. “We’re expecting a real battle

in the world,” says Matt Sawyer, the Northmen’s Maloney Photo: Mike this year and as much balance as we’ve ever had.” The 2009 OLA Junior ‘A’ season opens up May 8 when the Arrows travel to Kitchener-Wa- terloo to take on the Braves in the only game on opening night. Orangeville opens defence of its title on May 15 at home against Toronto Beaches. The 22-game regular season wraps up on July 12 with the playoffs starting shortly after, leading to the Minto Cup in Brampton. You can follow the entire Jr. ‘A’ season online at www.ontariolacrosse.com, and get links to each of the league’s 12 teams. 

Editor’s Note: The Brampton Excelsiors are looking for volunteers to help its organization make the 2009 Minto Cup a resounding success. If you’d like to help out, please contact: [email protected].

Roger Lajoie is a freelance writer in Toronto, Ont. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 35 Q+A // With Jim Brady

NAME: Jim Brady TITLE: Commissioner, Major Series Lacrosse ST R MSL 101: 18-game schedule, 7 teams (Barrie Lakeshores, Brampton Excelsiors, Brooklin Redmen, Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks, Peterborough Lakers, St. Regis Indians and Six Nations Chiefs) POWER AVERAGE TICKET PRICE: $8 SEASON KICK OFF: May 24 ONTARIO LACROSSE SITS DOWN WITH JIM BRADY, COMMISSIONER OF MAJOR SERIES LACROSSE, TO DISCUSS THE UPCOMING SEASON AND ULTIMATE PRIZE: Mann Cup WHY HE THINKS HIS LACROSSE LEAGUE IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD WEB SITE: www.majorserieslacrosse.net

EVOLUTION OF MAJOR SERIES LACROSSE The big change was to make it a competitive league where every club has a chance to win. When I began as commissioner 10 years ago, all the good players were on two teams — they had the most money and they were able to recruit the best players. We put some regulations in that no player would move without the permis- sion of the club he was playing for. Because of that, we have become a very competitive league. No team can go into anybody else’s arena with a full squad and expect to win.

LEAGUE CHALLENGES The biggest challenge we had to deal with was the wholesale robbery of our players by the Western Lacrosse Association. We were in a re- cruiting war with them, all the time. In order to resolve that, we [implemented] a transfer policy that seems to work. Players still move back and forth, but the issue of player move- ment became a lot easier when some of our owners got ambitious and started to recruit players out west.

QUALITY OF PLAY The game is unbelievably fast, and the ball con- trol and the transition game are amazing. When I took over the league, it had a reputa- tion of being a league that you didn’t want to play in because you might get physically hurt. It was a little slower and there were more violent players in it. We put an end to that. We treated the violent players very severely and we made the message known to owners that this is not how we were going to grow our game. These guys are all family men with jobs; they want to play a game and not have to worry about going Anthony Cosmo, Brampton Excelsiors to work on Monday. Photo: Brampton Excelsiors

36 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 With Jim Brady // Q+A

dians, and the ones that aren’t would have dif- have Pat O’Toole and Anthony Cosmo and the ficulty playing in our league because of the cross young kid Poulin who plays in Boston is out- checking. standing. Even our worst teams’ rosters are com- prised of 60 per cent NLL players. TOP-NOTCH TALENT The teams are loaded. As far as talent, Bramp- ECONOMIC REALITY ton was more like a NLL all-star team last year, We have to get sponsorship and have owners and Peterborough had Scott Evans and John that put their own money in. Our league has always had big-time contributors, like the Brannon Steel Company in Brampton. In the case of Peterbor- ough, they made a decision about four years ago to go from a team-owned by Ted Higgins to a Colin Doyle, Brampton Excelsiors community-spon- Photo: Brampton Excelsiors sored team and We also have most of the NLL stars. They they have more play in our league because it is a different sponsorship than enough game than the NLL, mainly because of any other team in the cross checking. In our league, you have to be our league. Photo: Martin Allinson in better shape and you have to be tougher. Grant, two of the top scorers in the NLL. As well, MANN CUP MLS VS. NLL St. Regis had the top goal scorer, Pat Maddalena, The competition for the Mann Cup is pretty sig- In my opinion, there is not a team in the NLL in the NLL and and Mark Steenuis, nificant, and for a lot of players, it is like win- that could even come close to Brampton or Pe- two of the most spectacular players, Brampton ning the Stanley Cup. Nothing else matters to terborough. The leagues’ rules are sufficiently has Colin Doyle, Blaine Manning and Josh them. Winning the NLL one-game final is great, different — our game is tougher. The best Sanderson, and Six Nations has a wealth of NLL but most players want to have a Mann Cup ring teams in the NLL are made up of mostly Cana- players. And the goaltending is amazing. We before they retire. It keeps players playing a year or two longer. It is so hard to win in our league.

UPCOMING SEASON & BEYOND For a change, we have our 2009 schedule done early and our rosters are in — we are in the best shape we’ve ever been in. The big story will be Six Nations. Historically, they have had a wealth of good players but they haven’t produced on the floor. They just hired the coach of the Buf- falo Bandits, , who will bring the club up immediately. We want to be the best and strongest lacrosse league in the world. The NLL can say what they want, but paying players and saying they are pros doesn’t make them better. The fact of the matter is they have a lot of American field players that would suffer if they play in our league. We know if you are talking indoor box lacrosse like it was really intended, we feel we have the best lacrosse league in the world at this John Grant (24), Peterborough Lakers 

Photo: Martin Allinson time and we intend to keep it that way.

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 37 OAD TRIP ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE’S VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM RECENTLY KICKED OFF ITS 2009 SEASON BY VENTURING SOUTH OF THE BORDER TO PLAY SOME EXHIBITION GAMES. THE GAMES WERE COMPETITIVE AND THE TEAM EVEN WON A FEW OF THEM, BUT FOR THE CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM, IT WAS THE TIME SPENT WITH HIS FELLOW TEAM MATES ON THE BUS AND IN THE HOTELS THAT HAS HIM HOPEFUL FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON R // By Benjamin van Galen here are always a number of traditions T to start a lacrosse season. Whether it is tryouts, team outings, humorous initiations or a pre-season tour, they all serve a productive purpose towards bringing a team to- gether. At St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ont., the varsity lacrosse team kicks-off every season by travelling to the United States for some healthy competition and team bonding, while enjoying significant exposure to American universities, colleges, and their respective scouts. Exposure to future college lacrosse oppor- tunities is extremely important to all of us on the team, however, the true importance of the trip is, without question, developing a per- sonal connection with each and everyone of Photo: Greg Reid, St. Andrew's College Reid, St. Andrew's Photo: Greg College Photo: St. Andrew's

38 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 our teammates. Not only do the series under our belt, it was important to take of games develop an understanding of the loss with a grain of salt. playing styles within the team, but the The next day was essential to develop- conversations that ensue during travel ing a fully functional roster heading into time, in the hotel and before and after our season as we engaged in a scrimmage games develop interesting connections with the host team Seneca Valley High between us players. School. Rather than trying to clinch a vic- This year, our trip south landed us in tory in an unofficial scrimmage match, we Pittsburgh, Pa., It was extremely valuable coordinated with the opposing team to because we were able to formally accept the give our younger players in grades 9 and 10 new members of the team, and introduce ample playing time. We emerged victorious them to some of the ideals and values our with an 11-5 win, but the true battle was program is built upon. Furthermore, in the upcoming bronze medal game later recognition of a new tradition at our that day. Hilliard Davidson High School school, we were able to develop a series of from Columbus, Ohio, had demonstrated sayings (like “tilt” and “toe-drags”), jokes, the previous day that they were a talented and team motto that will remain with us team, but one that had potential for undis- for the rest of the season. ciplined play. Whether it was joking around or Unfortunately, the differences between watching a marathon of Friday the 13th Canadian and American rules and style of movies, the members of our team, both play resulted in our team spending too new and old, were able to find common much time in the penalty box. In spite of ground. It’s important to remain serious this, we were able to clinch a hard fought when looking forward to our upcoming 15-14 victory, while getting every player season. However, the series of comical some significant playing time. events, which took place over the course Lacrosse has often been described as of the weekend, will help the team remain the fastest game on two feet, but at the light-hearted and optimistic, as the stress moment I think it is arguably the of summative assignments and final fastest growing sport in the world. As exams looms on the horizon. more and more countries, as well as cor- One of the observations I made during porations like Nike, become involved in our trip was regarding the extremely large the game, competition becomes fiercer differences between the athletic programs every single day. of schools within Ontario, and those This is my fourth year on the St. An- within the majority of the United States. drew’s varsity lacrosse team, and my The matching helmets and equipment, as fourth consecutive pre-season trip. As well as stadiums, concession stands and each year passes, it appears as though my announcers for public high school sports, seniority has only made each one more makes every game appear like a scene and more enjoyable. With my last season from the television show Friday Night approaching, and as captain, it is my goal Lights. As the sun sets in the distance, and to make the appropriate decisions in the large strands of light beam onto the order to lead my team to a fourth con- field, you can’t help but feel intrigued that secutive league championship. The first you are part of something more — some- step along this journey was unquestion- thing bigger. Even some of the independ- ably our pre-season trip.  ent schools within Ontario are not as developed as the average U.S. high school Benjamin van Galen is a grade 12 student at lacrosse team, which showcases how the St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ont. Estab- sport has truly expanded into other parts lished in 1899, St. Andrew’s College of the world. (www.sac.on.ca) is one of Canada’s oldest all- The first night we arrived, after a long boys boarding and day schools for grades 6 – 12. bus ride, it appeared as though we did Located 40 minutes north of Toronto, its stu- not come prepared to play the fine tuned dent population is made up of 555 boys from Upper St. Clair Panthers from Pitts- 31 countries, as well as local day boys. SAC is burgh. We ended the game on the wrong well known for its strong academics and ath- side of a devastating 19-14 loss, despite letic offerings (55 rep. and house league teams leading 6-2 in the opening quarter. How- across 25 sports), as well as its top calibre ever, with only two indoor practices arts, drama and music programs. www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 39 Box Lacrosse

For the summer box season, Ontario Lacrosse

PLAYER

Helmet: All helmets must be CSA approved for 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. 1 Facemask: Cannot allow the head of the stick or ball to make contact with the face. The mask must be CSA approved for ice hockey or NOCSAE approved and must be approved for helmet model that is mounted on. 2 Mouth Guard: Mandatory. Shoulder Pads: One piece pad made of flexible, high density impact 3 foam pad with poly-plastic shoulder caps. When properly fitted offers protection for upper body and shoulders. Arm & Elbow Guards: Light weight hard plastic or high density impact foam that offers protection for the whole arm, while allowing full range of motion of the arm at the elbow. 4 Lacrosse Gloves: High density impact foam and leather or nylon offer protection and flexibility. New contour cuff systems allow full range of motion 5 at the wrist for maximum protection and mobility. Gloves cannot be altered 7 from the original manufacturer’s design 6 (ie palms cannot be cut out). 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 4.5” to 8” inside measurement at the widest point. Lacrosse Stick Length: • Pee Wee and under (12 years and under) — 34” to 46” • Bantam and up (13 years +) — 40” to 46” • Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) — 40” to 46” 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 Shoes: Suitable indoor shoes. Durable synthetic leather upper that won't wear out. Responsive flat rubber outsole that is built for play on flat surfaces such as astro turf, concrete & other hard surfaces. This outsole was created specifically for the Box Game. Athletic Support & Cup.

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

GOALTENDER

CLA Goalie Sizing Chart Helmet: All helmets must be CSA approved for ice CLA Patch Age Division hockey or NOCSAE approved. The helmet must have a chin strap which must be properly secured on both sides 1 Tyke & Novice 1 and cannot be altered from the manufactured form. 2 Pee Wee Facemask: Cannot allow the head of the stick or ball to make contact with the face. The mask must be CSA 3 Bantam & up approved for ice hockey or NOCSAE approved and must 2 be approved for helmet model that is mounted on. Goaltender Throat Guard: Mandatory. High-grade plastic construction, attaches to goalie face shield, protects throat and neck. 3 Mouth Guard: Mandatory. Arm & Chest Protector: A mandatory one piece upper body protector constructed from 4 high density/low density closed cell foam and high-density polyethylene plastic provides superior protection. Fully moulded plastics with offset ridging used in key areas for maximum safety. Articulating belly and arms designed to keep protective padding in place and maximize flexibility. Full back and kidney padding offer the goalie greater protection. 5 Goaltender Gloves: High density impact foam and leather or nylon offer protection and flexibility. New contour cuff systems allow full range of motion at the wrist for maximum protection and mobility. 6 Goaltender Pants: Exclusively for lacrosse goalies. Extensive frontal protection combined with inner thigh inserts provide safety in crucial key areas. Moulded components maximize safety using lightweight, breathable materials. Anatomically designed for protection and mobility. 7 Goaltender Leg Guards: Moulded from high-density polyethylene (HDPE 5100) providing superior protection. Inner cradle stabilizes leg pad, side extensions offer complete calf coverage. Full ankle drop with moulded inserts provide maximum foot protection, multi strapping anchors pad in place. 8 Lacrosse Stick: Standard goalkeeper stick width specifications are up to 15” inside measurement at the widest point and no restriction on overall length. Lacrosse Shoes: Suitable indoor shoes. Athletic Support & Cup Women’s Field For the summer field season, Ontario Lacrosse magazine

PLAYER

Eye Guards: Optional. Close fitting eye guards are permitted. These must have been approved for wear by the FIL. A list of current approved eyewear can be found on the Ontario Women’s Lacrosse website www.ontariowomenslacrosse.com. Mouth Guard: Mandatory. The mouth guard must be a professionally manufactured intra-oral mouth guard, which must not be altered to decrease protection. Bicep Pads: One piece pad made of high density impact foam pad protects arm. Crosse: 1 Crosse Width: The inside width between the walls of a plastic/moulded head crosse at the widest point at the top of the head shall be 16cm minimum. Crosse Length: The overall length of the field crosse shall be 90cm minimum to 110cm maximum. • U15 — may use a crosse shorter than 90cm to allow the crosse to fit comfortably along the full length of the player’s arm. Stringing: The pockets of all field crosses shall be strung with 4 or 5 longitudinal leather or synthetic thongs and 8 to 12 stitches of cross lacing. The crosse may have no more 2 than two separate shooting/throw strings, which shall not be rolled more than twice between each vertical thong. 3 FIL Crosses: The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) certifies all field crosses that are legal for play. The current list can be found at www.ontariowomenslacrosse.com. Lacrosse Gloves: Optional. Close fitting field gloves are permitted. Footwear: Players may wear shoes with plastic, metal, leather or rubber cleats/studs. The exposed surface of all cleats/studs must be smooth.

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

GOALKEEPER

Helmet: All helmets must be CSA or NOCSAE approved. The helmet must have a chin strap which must be properly secured on both sides. 1 Facemask and Throat Protector: Cannot allow the head of the crosse or ball to contact the face. A throat protector attached to the helmet is mandatory. It must hang less than the diameter of a ball (approximately 6.5cm) from the helmet. 2 Mouth Guard: Mandatory. The mouth guard must be a professionally manufactured intra-oral mouth guard, which must not be altered to decrease protection. 3 Chest Pad: Mandatory. A chest or body protector for the upper body must be worn, it should be made of impact-absorbing memory foam construction, offering flexibility and unrestricted movement. The maximum thickness is 3cm and all padding must be worn snuggly. 4 Arm Guards: Optional. These must be worn securely and must measure no more than 3cm in thickness. Crosse: Crosse Width: The inside width between the wall of a plastic/ moulded head crosse at the widest point at the top of the head shall be 28.5cm to 30.5cm. The maximum outside width of the 5 head shall be 33cm. Crosse Length: The overall length of the field crosse shall be 90cm minimum to 135cm maximum. 6 Stringing: The pockets of the crosse shall be strung with 6 or 7 longitudinal leather or synthetic thongs and 8 to 12 stitches of cross lacing or may be mesh. FIL Crosses: The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) certifies all field crosses that are legal for play. The current list can be found at www.ontariowomenslacrosse.com. Goalkeeper Gloves: Optional. Padded gloves must be tied 7 securely at the cuff, must not have webbing and cannot increase the width of the goalkeepers hand beyond the thickness of the padding. Padded Shorts: Optional. These must be worn securely and must measure no more than 3cm in thickness. 8 Leg Pads: Optional. These must be worn securely and must measure no more than 3cm in thickness. Footwear: Players may wear shoes with plastic, metal, leather or rubber cleats/studs. The exposed surface of all cleats/studs must be smooth.

9 EQUIPMENT BAG // Gloves

GAIT LACROSSE Mutant Mutant gloves come with a Wrist Clip Cuff (WCC) that assists in flex and protection, as well as a new vented palm that offers improved breath ability and grip. Available in white, black, navy, royal, red, maroon and forest green, other features include: patent pending Knuckle Spacers for improved flexibility and protection; patent pending Partially Attached Padding for improved flexibility; custom patch receptacle that allows for the addition of a custom logo or number to be applied after purchase; and goalie thumb receptacle that allows for quick conversion to goalie . • www.debeerlacrosse.com

STX Agent Glove HARROW SPORTS Torrent The Agent Glove offers maximum protection for the box player. It features STX’s The Torrent features triple density foam, triple- Maximum Mobility System with specialized Island Stitching that works like a flex cuff system and floating wrist guard that car’s independent suspension, so the glove can move in all the same ways as allows for mobility and flexibility without the player’s hand. It also comes with a sweat wicking glove liner, STX TriFlex compromising protection. The Torrent’s finger design that assists in player dexterity and flexibility, and a microbe shield reinforced palm, manufactured with a sweat- that protects against odours. • www.stxlacrosse.com wicking performance material, enhances the feel of the glove during play. The Torrent comes in eight stock colours. • www.harrowsports.com

WARRIOR Brass Monkey New for the 2008-2009 season and officially approved by the Canadian Lacrosse Association for both box and field lacrosse, the Brass Monkey Glove features Brass Knuckle Technology that provides a layer of protection for fingers, without hindering mobility. Available in black, navy, red, royal, maroon and green, its new Contour Cuff design follows the natural motion of the wrist as players cradle, pass and shoot. The patented VaporVent cooling system provides direct airflow into the glove, keeping hands cool and dry. • www.warriorlacrosse.com

44 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009 Gloves // EQUIPMENT BAG

BRINE LACROSSE Silo The Silo lets players’ hands breathe easy while keeping them protected. Patented backhand venting allows air to pass through while the outer mesh nylon keeps the gloves durable yet flexible. The Silo features adjustable free floating cuffs, dual density foam fingers and backhand, trigger finger padding, Ventilator Moisture Management, Stretch Fit Flex Points, and breathable embossed nash palms with mesh inserts and gussets. It is available in black, white, scarlet, navy, royal and forest green. • www.brine.com

ADIDAS adiStrike Designed for women’s field lacrosse, the adiStrike glove is equipped with ClimaLite materials that wick moisture away ensuring cool, dry hands. Its compression-molded and anatomically positioned padding delivers solid protection without compromising dexterity and movement. Features include mesh finger gussets, Neoprene wrist, performance rubber grips positioned strategically on palms, comfort clasp that secures glove and provides unrestricted motion, and carabiner hole that allows players to clip gloves to their equipment bag. • www.adidas.com

REEBOK 9K The 9K glove features F.I.T. (Foam Intensive Technology), a system that allows the glove to form and move as one with the player; F.A.V (Flex Armor Ventilation), lightweight form fitting ventilated protection; Griptonite palm, provides the right grip in the right place for maximum control; Reebok Play Dry interior, wicks moisture away from the hand to keep hands cool and dry; seamless finger joints for more comfortable feel when gripping the stick; maximum dexterity in fingers and wrist for better control and feel; ventilated foam back- hand pads for more breathability without compromising protection; full Goatskin palm for soft and comfortable feel while still wicking MAVERIK LACROSSE Dynasty moisture away from palm; and patented wrist shield Dynasty gloves utilize a moisture system for maximum protection and mobility. The glove management liner, which features an anti- is available in sizes 12”, 13”, and 13.5”, and in the bacterial treatment and Shark-Gel. Floating following colours: white/black, white royal, white/red and cuff design technology provides protection white/navy. • www.reebok.com while increasing mobility as the beveled wrist hinge pad provides maximum wrist flex. High-grade leather palm offers a ‘bare-hand To have your company's lacrosse products considered for potential preview in a future issue of Ontario Lacrosse magazine, or on its web site, e-mail product feel’ on the shaft. Shark-Gel insert provides features, specifications and high resolution picture to: [email protected] maximum flex and slash protection. • www.maveriklacrosse.com

www.ontariolacrossemagazine.com Spring 2009 | Ontario LACROSSE 45 IN ACTION

February 14, 2009 vs. Toronto Rock 17 points NLL single-game RECORD points

MARK STEENHUIS #9 Photo: Buffalo Bandits Photo: Buffalo

46 Ontario LACROSSE | Spring 2009