Two NLL Teams Are Gone, Leaving a Long List of Peterborough Lacrosse Connections Looking for New Homes

By Scott Arnold

The Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings are gone from the National Lacrosse League, and that leaves a long list of Peterborough lacrosse connections waiting to see where they land next.

tracey kelusky (left) and Paul day (second from right) are two of peterborough natives affected by the announcement of the philadelphia wings ceasing operation in the national lacrosse league. Also pictured are mike Hasen (holding mann cup) and bobby keast far right. (photo courtesy of Peterborough lakers)

The National Lacrosse League announced Thursday that both the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings have discontinued operations and will not take part in the 2026-27 season.

The league will move forward with 12 teams for its 40th anniversary season, but the decision has a very local impact.

Philadelphia had several Peterborough connections throughout its organization.

Peterborough native Paul Day was the Wings' general manager, while fellow Peterborough native Tracey Kelusky was the team's offensive coach.

The Wings also had three Peterborough natives on the roster in Dylan Hutchison, Dustyn Birkhof and goaltender Deacon Knott.

Two members of the Peterborough Lakers, Alex Pace and Liam Patten, were also part of Philadelphia's organization.

Ottawa had its own strong Peterborough ties.

Lakers leading point-getter Rob Hellyer was part of the Black Bears, along with fellow Lakers player Justin Sykes. Former Lakers Tyler Carlson and Cole Begley were also part of the Ottawa organization.

Now, all of those players are left waiting to see where their NLL careers continue.

The league has combined the Ottawa and Philadelphia player pools for a single dispersal draft, which is scheduled for September 15th at 4pm ET.

The Oshawa FireWolves will have the first selection, followed by the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, Rochester Knighthawks, Calgary Roughnecks, San Diego Seals, Halifax Thunderbirds, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Buffalo Bandits, Saskatchewan Rush, Vancouver Warriors and Toronto Rock.

The draft order is determined by regular-season winning percentages over the past two completed seasons, with the most recent season weighted at 70 per cent.

Following the dispersal draft, teams can sign selected players and negotiate with selected unrestricted free agents, subject to league rules.

For the Peterborough players involved, next week's draft could quickly change where they spend the upcoming season.

For Day and Kelusky, the situation is different. Their coaching and management experience could lead to opportunities elsewhere as NLL teams continue preparing for the 2026-27 season.

There is also an obvious local connection at the top of the draft.

The FireWolves, who play their home games at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, will have the first opportunity to select from the combined Ottawa and Philadelphia player pool.

So while two NLL franchises have disappeared, the impact of that decision could be felt much closer to home than it might initially seem.

For a group of Peterborough players, coaches and lacrosse executives, September 15th will be an important day as they wait to find out where the next chapter of their NLL careers will take them.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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A Familiar Face Joining the FireWolves Broadcast Team for Upcoming NLL Season

By Scott Arnold

Katrina Squazzin is adding to her broadcasting resume once again, but this time she’ll be doing it from the sidelines in Oshawa.

former chex newswatch reporter katrina squazzin will join the oshawa firewolves broadcast crew this season as a sideline reporter, working alongside dan malta and scott arnold (photo courtesy of the oshawa firewolves)

The former Chex Newswatch reporter has been named the sideline reporter for the Oshawa FireWolves’ home broadcasts for the 2026-2027 National Lacrosse League season, putting her back in a familiar environment covering the sport while also bringing a distinctly Peterborough connection to the FireWolves broadcast team.

Squazzin spent several years working in Peterborough with Global News, where she covered both the Peterborough Petes and Peterborough Lakers. She also spent a season in the Petes broadcast booth as the colour commentator on Freq 90.5 broadcasts.

Since leaving Peterborough, Squazzin spent three years with Sportsnet as an associate producer, host and reporter, including hosting Sportsnet Central, the network’s flagship highlight show.

Now, she’s joining the FireWolves’ lacrosse broadcast team, who are heading into their second season at Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre after relocating from Albany.

And she won’t exactly be walking into an unfamiliar broadcast booth.

Squazzin will be working alongside play-by-play announcer Dan Malta and colour commentator Scott Arnold, bringing together three broadcasters whose paths have crossed many times through Peterborough sports. Malta spent years working as a producer and host with YourTV Peterborough and has also been part of Peterborough Petes and Lakers broadcasts, while Arnold works with PTBOCanada and is the colour commentator for Petes and Lakers broadcasts on YourTV.

katrina squazzin and her husband, dan malta, on the memorial centre ice after the peterborough petes won the ohl championship in 2023. the duo will be part of the oshawa firewolves broadcasting trio for the upcoming nll season. (photo by scott arnold)

Malta and Squazzin also happen to be married, adding another unique layer to their shared broadcasting history.

“This opportunity is even more special because I get to work alongside my husband, Dan Malta, and my good friend, Scott Arnold,” said Squazzin. “Both have done an outstanding job on the FireWolves’ broadcast, and I’m thrilled to join them.”

The FireWolves’ second season in Oshawa will give Squazzin a chance to tell those stories from a different perspective, while reconnecting with a sport and a community she knows well.

“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to join the Oshawa FireWolves broadcast team,” she said. “I followed the team’s inaugural season in Oshawa and was fortunate enough to attend a couple of games, witnessing firsthand the passion and pride this fanbase has for its team. I’m looking forward to sharing the stories of the players and organization throughout the season.”

And for those who have followed Peterborough sports broadcasting over the years, the FireWolves’ home broadcasts will feature a trio with local connections.

The only difference is the address on the broadcast truck.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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John Grant Jr. Adds Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame to Growing List of Honours

By Scott Arnold

Just two months after entering the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame, Peterborough native John Grant Jr. is headed into another Hall of Fame.

Peterborough lacrosse legend John Grant Jr. (centre), pictured with Peterborough Lakers broadcasters Scott Arnold (left) and Pete Dalliday, is adding another Hall of Fame honour to a career that has already seen him recognized among the greatest players in the history of the sport.

Grant Jr. was announced Sunday as one of 12 inductees into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, adding another major honour to a career that has already earned him recognition in several of the sport’s most prestigious halls.

The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame announced its new class on August 16th, with Grant Jr. joining Glenn Clark, Grant Hamilton, Karolyn Karpun and Bruce Murray in the Player category.

The Veteran inductees are Michael John Howard, Jim Weller and Steve Manning. Walt Christianson and Bob McMahon were selected as Builders, Ray Durante was named in the Officials category, and the Team Canada Women’s Sixes 2022 squad was selected for induction.

The formal induction banquet and ceremonies are scheduled for October 24th at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster, British Columbia.

For Grant Jr., the announcement comes remarkably soon after his June induction into the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame, where he joined his father, John Grant Sr., as a member.

After already being inducted into several Halls of Fame in the United States, Grant Jr.'s induction into the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame in June marked his first Hall of Fame induction in Canada.

Now, just a couple of months later, he's about to add another Canadian Hall of Fame to the list.

And this one is specifically dedicated to the sport that has defined his career.

A young John Grant Jr. takes the floor as a Minor Peterborough Laker, long before the Peterborough native would go on to become one of the most decorated players in lacrosse history.

A Career Built in Peterborough

Grant Jr.'s connection to lacrosse began in Peterborough, where he played Junior A with the Lakers from 1991 to 1995 and Major Series Lacrosse with the Peterborough Lakers from 1994 through 2016.

His career eventually took him across North America and onto the international stage, but Peterborough remained a significant part of the story.

He represented Canada in both box and field lacrosse, playing on national teams at multiple World Championships. His championship résumé includes three World Indoor Lacrosse Championship gold medals, a World Field Championship gold medal, five Mann Cup championships and an NLL championship.

He was also a five-time Major League Lacrosse champion.

Individually, the list is just as extensive. Grant Jr. was an OLA Junior A MVP, MSL Rookie of the Year, USILA National Collegiate Player of the Year, NLL Rookie of the Year, a two-time NLL MVP and NLL Championship MVP. He was also a two-time Mann Cup MVP.

Over a playing career spanning more than 25 years, he accumulated more than 3,000 points.

The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame induction adds to a list of Hall of Fame honours that already includes the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2010, NLL Hall of Fame in 2021, Professional Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2022 and US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2024.

His playing career eventually gave way to coaching, where he has continued to contribute to the sport at the professional and collegiate levels in the United States.

Peterborough lacrosse legend John Grant Jr. receives the key to the city from then-Mayor Daryl Bennett, another honour recognizing the impact his remarkable career has had both on the sport and the community he grew up in.

A Class That Spans Lacrosse History

Grant Jr. is the name that will immediately stand out locally, but the 2026 class represents a broad cross-section of Canadian lacrosse.

Glenn Clark is being honoured for a career that included championships with the Brooklin Redmen, Coquitlam Adanacs and Toronto Rock, as well as international success with Canada.

Grant Hamilton is being recognized for a career that included championships with the Victoria Shamrocks and Calgary Roughnecks, along with his contributions as both a player and leader.

Karolyn Karpun is being inducted after an extraordinary career in both box and field lacrosse, including 10 Canadian senior women's field lacrosse championships and appearances at three World Cups.

Bruce Murray is being honoured for a career that saw him evolve from a scoring forward into one of the era's most respected defenders, while also representing Canada internationally.

The Veteran category includes Michael John Howard, who won nine Minto Cups during his career; Jim Weller, a standout at the University of Massachusetts who represented Canada at three World Cups; and Steve Manning, who was part of two Mann Cup-winning New Westminster Salmonbellies teams as a player and later contributed as a coach.

The Builder category recognizes Walt Christianson, whose coaching career has included national and international success, and Bob McMahon, whose decades of coaching have included Team Canada's 2003 World Indoor Championship victory.

Ray Durante, who spent 31 years as an on-floor referee after a 12-year playing career, is being inducted in the Officials category.

And Team Canada Women’s Sixes 2022 is being honoured after winning the first-ever World Games gold medal in women's Sixes lacrosse.

For Grant Jr., though, the announcement brings the focus back home.

Peterborough has been part of his lacrosse story from the beginning, and this latest honour is another recognition of just how significant that story has become.

In June, Grant Jr. could say that the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame was his first Hall of Fame induction in Canada.

By October 24th, he'll have another one to add to the résumé.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough's Shawn Evans Scores His 1,300 Career NLL Point

Peterborough and Vancouver Warriors’ Shawn Evans has reached his 1,300th career National Lacrosse League point after scoring five points against the San Diego Seals on Saturday.

File Photo.

He got his milestone point by assisting Keegan Bal’s goal 6:56 into the fourth period. He made the primary assist, leading Bal with a pass just in front of the crease. Bal was able to beat Christopher Origlieri over the top for Vancouver’s 10th goal of the game.

Evans’s had two goals and three assists for five points putting him exactly at 1,300 career NLL points. He is sixth in all-time NLL points scored with 459 goals (tied 9th all-time with Mark Steenhuis) and 841 assists (fifth all-time).

The Warriors were unable to seal a win, losing to San Diego 16-11.

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Peterborough Laker and Curve Lake Resident Drafted to the NLL's Philadelphia Wings

Peterborough Jr. A Lakers and Curve Lake’s Deacan Knott has been drafted 38th overall in the 2022 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Wings.

File photo.

The 20-year-old goaltender was selected 38th overall and joins Paul Day, Lakers general manager with the Wings.

Knott is the only Wings draftee who has no college commitment so he is eligible to report to the team’s training camp. All other drafted players will not be seen by the Wings until next year.

The Curve Lake resident won gold with Canada at the World Junior Box Lacrosse Championships. Knott made 46 saves on 55 shots en route to a 16-9 win for Team Canada over Team Haudenosaunee in the finals.

Knott was named All-World First Team for all goalkeepers during that tournament.

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Peterborough Lakers' Shawn Evans Signs With NLL's Vancouver Warriors to a One-Year Deal

Eight-time Mann Cup champion and Peterborough’s Shawn Evans has been signed by National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Vancouver Warriors to a one-year agreement on Wednesday.

Evans is an eight-time Mann Cup champion, winning the title in 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2017-19 and 2022. He is one of three lacrosse players in history to win two Minto Cups back to back (2006 and 2007) with two different Junior teams. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers.

Evans was traded from the Rochester Knighthawks to the Halifax Thunderbirds on Mar. 9. He signed with Vancouver as a free agent.

“I’m extremely excited to join the Vancouver Warriors,” remarked Evans. “I believe this team is heading in the right direction and I’m hoping to be a part of bringing a winning culture to this organization.

Evans is fresh off his eighth Mann Cup Championship with the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers, defeating the Langley Thunder in seven games. He also became the Mann Cup all-time leading scorer during that series with 207 points.

In the NLL, Evans has won league MVP twice and ranks in the top 10 in goals scored (457 - 10th), assists (838- fifth) and points (1295 - sixth).  Evans is a four-time first-team NLL All-Star and helped Rochester win the NLL Championship in 2007.

“Shawn is a highly intelligent and skilled lacrosse player,” said Troy Cordingley, Warriors head coach. “His competition level is through the roof and for Shawn, losing is not an option.  Shawn will battle for every inch that he can get and will not back down from anyone.  He leads by example.”

“To sign a player of Shawn Evans’ calibre is a big step for this organization,” said Dan Richardson, Warriors general manager. “He wins at every level and will have an immediate impact on our team.”

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Hometown PTBO: Colton Armstrong On His Long Journey On Playing In the National Lacrosse League

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Ennismore's and Halifax Thunderbirds Transition, Colton Armstrong about his scrappy underdog quest to the lacrosse world, growing up watching the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers and dreams of playing in the NLL.

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Local Third-Generation Lacrosse Player Scores First Career National Lacrosse League Goal

It will be a night that Peterborough’s Mitch Ogilvie will never forget as he scored his first career National Lacrosse League (NLL) goal for the Rochester Knights on Friday night.

Mitch Ogilvie will NEVER forget this one 👏

His first-ever NLL goal is a transition beauty. pic.twitter.com/U7SVm8X1wK

— NLL (@NLL) April 1, 2022

The 22-year old defenseman scored the opening goal of the game against the Halifax Thunderbirds at 10:35 as the only score of the first quarter. The goal was also his first point of the season in his fifth career game.

He received a pass from teammate Dan Coates — with a secondary assist from defenseman Matthew Bennett — in transition to score a breakaway goal against the 2019 President’s Cup MVP goaltender Warren Hill.

Ogilvie was the 54th overall pick for the Rochester Knighthawks in the 2020 NLL Entry Draft.

Andy Ogilvie, his uncle, was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2014. He spent nine seasons in the NLL with the Buffalo Bandits, Vancouver Ravens and Calgary Roughnecks.

His cousin Mack O’Brien played for the now-defunct NLL’s Chicago Shamrox. Another uncle, Bruce Ogilvie played for the junior and senior Peterborough Lakers. His grandfather Bill Ogilvie has been president of the Jr. A Lakers.

The Thunderbirds defeated the Knighthawks 11-7.

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Peterborough's Shawn Evans Traded to Halifax Thunderbirds For Draft Picks

Lakers alumnus and Peterborough’s Shawn Evans has been traded to the Halifax Thunderbirds from the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League announced Wednesday.

The Halifax Thunderbirds made their league debut on Dec. 7, 2019, defeating the New York Riptide 12–4 Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Halifax is sending their second-round draft pick in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft and their top first-round compensation pick in the same draft for Evans.

The 35-year-old won a Champion’s Cup with the 2007 Knighthawks. He is a two-time National Lacrosse League MVP (2013 and 2015) and has been a four-time NLL All-Pro First Team member (2013-16) and an NLL All-Pro Second Team member (2012). He was also named to the 2006 NLL All-Rookie Team. 

He was selected by the Rochester Knighthawks in the first round (second overall) of the 2005 NLL Entry Draft. The Knighthawks took Evans first overall in the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft.

“Shawn Evans’s career speaks for itself. Evy is a proven winner at all levels, from junior to the pros,” said Curt Styres, Thunderbirds owner and general manager. “Whenever you are able to add a player of Shawn’s calibre to your roster this late in the stretch, it is a no-brainer.”

Photo courtesy of the Halifax Thunderbirds.

After spending his first six seasons with the team, he spent the next four years with the Calgary Roughnecks, where Evans won both his MVPs and set then-records for most assists recorded in a single season (83) and points (130) in 2015.

The Peterborough, Ontario native has 1,277 points (453 goals and 824 assists). His 453 goals are the ninth most recorded by a player in NLL history, his 824 assists are the fifth-most in NLL history and his 1,277 points are the sixth-most in NLL history and the second-most amongst active NLL forwards. Evans also has the third-most penalty minutes in league history with 591 PIM.

The 5-foot-8, 175-pound right-hander led the Knighthawks in scoring and assists in their 10 games played this season. His best game of the season so far came on Feb. 12 against the Albany FireWolves, where he put up 10 points (1G, 9A) in the team’s 15-13 win against the Eastern Conference foe.

“Evans is a proven winner with championships and MVPs in multiple leagues,” said Mike Accursi, Thunderbirds head coach. “He brings grit and experience along with a tremendously high lacrosse IQ. I’m excited to see him work with our offense group.”

Evans spent part of the next three seasons with the New England Black Wolves before being traded to the Buffalo Bandits midway through the 2018 NLL season.

During the 2016 season, Evans recorded 118 points (50 goals, 68 assists), which is the third-highest single-season points total. He is the only player to hold multiple spots in the top 10 most points recorded in a single NLL season.

Over the last two seasons, Evans has 90 points (23G, 67A) in 19 games. 

If the Thunderbirds do not receive a first-round compensation pick for the 2023 NLL Entry Draft, the Knighthawks will receive the team’s best first-round compensatory pick in the 2024 NLL Entry Draft.

If no first-round compensatory pick is awarded ahead of that draft, then it becomes the Thunderbirds’ best first-round compensation pick in the 2025 NLL Entry Draft.

If Halifax does not receive a compensatory pick in that instance, then Rochester receives their first-round selection in the 2025 NLL Entry Draft and Halifax receives Rochester’s second-round draft pick in that same draft in return.

“The next three weeks are defining moments for us. In the next 18 days, home floor advantage could be decided in the NLL,” said Styres. “Adding Shawn Evans will help our team, as we know COVID is always knocking on each team’s door.”

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