Peterborough Lakers Release 2024 Schedule; Home Opener Against Brooklin L.C. On June 13

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers are looking to avenge themselves after last season, their schedule for the 2024 season has been released by Major Series Lacrosse on Tuesday.

pHOTO courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers will play 12 games with six at home and on the road. They will play two road games before their home opener on June 13 vs the Brooklin L.C.

The MSL has readjusted its playoff format with the Oakville Rock and Owen Sound North Stars in this year’s mix. The playoffs will consist of three rounds and begin in mid-July instead of August's first week.

The first round of playoffs will be a best-of-five series:

• 1st place earns a bye

• 2nd vs 7th

• 3rd vs 6th

• 4th vs 5th

The semi-final and final will continue to be a best-of-seven series.

The Lakers schedule is as follows:

• June 3 @ Toronto Rock

• June 6 @ Brampton Excelsiors

• June 13 vs. Brooklin L.C.

• June 16 @ Cobourg Kodiaks

• June 20 vs. Oakville Rock

• June 22 @ Owen Sound North Stars

• June 25 vs. Owen Sound North Stars

• June 27 vs. Six Nations Chiefs

• July 3 @ Brooklin L.C.

• July 4 vs. Cobourg Kodiaks

• July 9 @ Six Nations Chiefs

• July 11 vs. Brampton Excelsiors

Season tickets are on sale now at the Peterborough Memorial Centre box office. Tickets can be purchased or renewed in person or by phone at the Grant Thornton Box Office.

The renewal deadline for existing season ticket holders is May 9th at 5 p.m. After that, any seats that have not been renewed will be released to the general public and open to the exchange of seats by other season ticket holders or new buyers. Ticket exchange day will occur on May 15th. 

Season ticket packages will include eight games (all six regular season home games plus the first two home playoff games that cannot be exchanged).

Season ticket holders can receive digital tickets by email but can still accept printed tickets.

Season Ticket Prices

• Adult - Regular Bowl $150, Club $186

• Senior 65+ - Regular Bowl $126, Club $162

• Student - Regular Bowl $110, Club $146

• Child - Regular Bowl $62, Club $98

Single-game tickets will go on sale at a later date.

The Grant Thornton box office is open for phone transactions Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and for in-person sales Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers Add New Assistant Coach For 2024 Season

As the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League season approaches, the Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers have added Curtis Conley as the new defensive assistant coach announced on Tuesday.

pHOTO courtesy of Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers.

The Ottawa native played minor lacrosse with the Nepean Knights and his junior lacrosse with the Gloucester Griffins Jr. B and Toronto Beaches Jr. A teams.

He played with the Trent Excalibur as a four-time Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time CUFLA All-Canadian, and a Baggataway Cup champion, the only title in school history. Last week, Conley was named Trent’s first-ever Athlete of the Year. 

Conley’s has appeared in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) with the Albany FireWolves and the New York Riptide. He is currently playing for the Whitby Steelhawks in the Arena Lacrosse League.

“Curtis brings a wealth of knowledge to our team,” said Robert Hope, Lakers head coach. “He has went through the many different levels of lacrosse from junior to pro and knows what it takes to make it to the next level. He has a passion for teaching and coaching. He understands the game and has a great energy that he will bring each day to the rink.” 

“When Coach Hope reached out to me to be a part of the Jr. A Lakers organization, I was extremely humbled and grateful,” said Conley “I am excited to pass on the knowledge that I have gained through my Junior and NLL experiences to provide our family with the best chance to succeed at the end of August. With some of the best lacrosse minds in the game on the bench, I am looking to bring whatever I can to this group to help make us successful.”

Hope agreed with Conley regarding the team’s challenges last season and shared his optimism for the future.

“Last year was a very frustrating year for our organization. Top to bottom we didn’t do enough to be successful. We learned a lot as coaches and players. We are looking to correct those mistakes that we made,” said Hope. “We have taken a lot of time to reflect on our mistakes and it is now time to change for the better.”

Conley joins assistants Turner Evans, Taylor Evans, and Jeff Ralph. The Lakers’ 2024 season will kick off on May 24 at home against the Six Nations Arrows.

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Century 21 Renews Contract With Peterborough Lakers in Three-Year Deal; Team Donates $1,000 Towards Carl Oake Rotary Swim

As the Peterborough Lakers approach their 2024 season, they have reached a three-year agreement with Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage to continue as their main sponsor, announced at the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday afternoon.

Ted Higgins, Lakers President (left) with Vanessa Oake Hogan of Century 21 Realty (rght) continuing the long-standing relationship between the two organization which has spanned through multiple generations. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The team will continue as the ‘Peterborough Century 21 Lakers’ with the renewed agreement.

“The Lakers partnership has been part of the fabric of our company for so many years now that it makes sense to continue it,” said Vanessa Oake Hogan, Century 21 owner. “I think we all benefit from this partnership. It's a win-win situation and it makes sense to keep going.”

“To have them on board gives us the ability to reach our dreams,” said Ted Higgins, Lakers president. “We're delighted to have them back on.”

As part of the symbiotic relationship between the two organizations, the Lakers donated $1,000 towards the 38th-Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim Fundraiser on March 1. The event is named after the now-retired Carl Oake, father of Vanessa.

The swim goes towards projects run by the Rotary Club of Peterborough to help the community. Over $1.4 million has been raised to date.

“It really blew me away with their generosity. I was not expecting this,” explained Vanessa. “The monetary financial support of our event, that means so much to us. It’s touching. It feels like they have our back too.”

“The time, effort and financial ability that Carl has given us over the years was a no-brainer for us to jump in real quick,” said Higgins. “It did not take a lot of thinking.”

The public is encouraged to participate in the swim as an individual or a team and can register online. A cannonball and floating catwalk challenge has been added to this year’s event. Those registered will be assigned a fundraising page. The public can also donate directly via the website and receive an instant tax receipt.

Anyone can donate at any time online at the Rotary’s website. The goal is to raise at least $45,000.

The team has also made season tickets available starting on March 6.

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Unknown Events Occuring During Spring at Peterborough Memorial Centre No Longer Proceeding; City Says They Will Arena Users of Facility Availability

The City of Peterborough has made the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) available for events again from May 20 to June 10 after an undisclosed event running during that timeframe is not happening anymore according to a public statement made on Friday afternoon.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

The City’s website said that the event that was expected to be held at the PMC during that period is ‘no longer proceeding.’

The City of Peterborough is reaching out to arena users to inform them of the facility availability which includes organizers of the Lakers Classic lacrosse tournament according to a press release.

The Lakers were previously told to look for an alternate spot to do their home opener for May 20.

The team’s social media account have responded to the City’s statement, saying that it is‘A good day for lacrosse in Peterborough’ from a Facebook post.

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Peterborough Lakers Get Six Players In Major Series Lacrosse Draft

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers got six players this weekend in the annual Major Series Lacrosse draft that took place at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers had picks in each of the five rounds with an additional pick in the second round. 

The Lakers drafted: 

• First round – Koleton Marquis, F, Orangeville Northmen 

• Second round – Andrew Vradenburg, D, Burlington Blaze 

• Second round – Brenden Boyle, D, Burlington Blaze 

• Third round – Tommy Collins, F, Peterborough Lakers 

• Fourth round – Nolan Kenney, D, Peterborough Lakers 

• Fifth round – Andrew Kidd, G, Toronto Beaches 

Before the draft, the Lakers protected four graduates of the Jr. A Lakers program: 

• Captain/Defenceman Adam Thistlethwaite 

• Forward Zach Thompson 

• Defence/Transition Ben Trumble 

• Goaltender Deacan Knott, who is currently the backup goaltender for the Philadelphia Wings 

“I’m super excited to be getting this opportunity to become a Laker,” said Marquis. “Growing up, I’ve always known Peterborough to be the mecca of lacrosse and I can’t wait to be able to compete on the same floor where there has been so much history. Personally, I believe I can bring a skilled, fast-paced style of play to the Lakers, along with a ton of passion and positive energy to the locker room.” 

Marquis is currently in his second year at Johns Hopkins. 

Vradenburg was the hometown captain of the 2023 Minto Cup-winning Burlington Blaze, was drafted by Halifax last September and is currently on their practice roster. The Lakers now sport five members of that Minto Cup team, along with Brenden Boyle and three protected players in Thompson, Trumble and Knott, who were traded from Peterborough to Burlington halfway through last season. 

Collins finished fifth in team scoring for the Jr. Lakers last season and Kenney was brought in to play tough defence. 

Kidd, the Toronto Beaches standout, was drafted by the Albany FireWolves in September and is currently on their practice roster.

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Peterborough Jr. A Lakers Draft Five Players In Ontario Junior Lacrosse League Including Three Top-Five Picks

The Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers drafted five players, including three top-five picks, in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) Entry Draft on Saturday.

Established in 1933, the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) consists of 11 teams across Ontario and is the top feeder league for the National Lacrosse League (NLL), with 16 OJLL alum being selected first overall since the inaugural NLL draft in 1996. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Jr. A Lakers.

The Lakers held the following picks in the draft:

• First round - Second overall

• First round - Third overall

• First round - Fifth overall

• Second round - 12th overall

• Second Round - 16th overall

With the second overall pick, the Lakers chose goaltender Waukiigan Shognosh from the Wallaceburg Griffins. Last summer, he helped lead Team Ontario to a gold medal at the Canadian U17 boys box lacrosse championship in Regina.

Peterborough went back on the clock after their first pick, taking offensive standout Zachary McLean from the Gloucester Griffins third overall. He had 71 points in 23 games last year.

The Lakers then traded with the Six Nations Arrows, acquiring the fifth and 16th picks in exchange for their 13th pick and a first-round selection in 2025. They used their fifth overall pick to select Mason Cree from the Akwesasne Storm. He was also a part of Team Ontario's U17 gold victory in Saskatchewan.

With the 12th overall pick in the second round, the Lakers took Matthew Ford from the Milton Mavericks. The offensive force scored 88 points in 27 games last season.

With their final draft pick at 16th overall, the Lakers chose Adam Trumble of the Orillia Kings. He excelled in three varsity sports, hockey, football and lacrosse at Culver Military Academy last year. He is the third Trumble brother to play for the Jr. A Lakers; his oldest brother, Ben, played last season while his middle brother, Sam, is the face-off specialist for the team.

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Former Peterborough Laker Shawn Evans Announces Retirement From the National Lacrosse League

Former Peterborough Laker Shawn Evans has announced his retirement from the National Lacrosse League (NLL) after 17 seasons in the league, announced on Sunday.

Evans spent his last year with the Vancouver Warriors prior to retirement. Photo courtesy of the NLL.

Evans made a Facebook post announcing his retirement and had the following message:

“Today is the day I’m hanging them up and retiring from the NLL after 18 seasons. My dream as a kid turned into reality 19 years ago. Many memories made and friendships gained throughout my career. Truly grateful for the sport and what it has provided me and my family. My family and my health are most important as I step into my next chapter. Truly blessed by the support of the lacrosse community over the years. Thank you to my family, friends, teammates and fans for all the great memories. Looking forward to continuing to grow the game and the best sport around. #15”

The 37-year-old Peterborough native spent time with the Rochester Knighthawks, Calgary Roughnecks, New England Black Wolves, Buffalo Bandits, the new Rochester Knighthawks (founded in 2019) and the Vancouver Warriors during his NLL career.

In 270 regular-season games, he scored 479 goals and 879 assists for 1,358 points. In his 26 playoff games, he had 50 goals and 68 assists for 118 points. He won an NLL Championship with the Knighthawks in 2007. He was twice named the NLL MVP for 2013 and 2015 with the Roughnecks.

He reached a milestone in January, scoring his 1,300th point in the NLL.

He spent 20 years in the Major Series Lacrosse. As a Peterborough Laker, Evans won the Mann Cup Championship eight times and was a three-time Mann Cup MVP.

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Peterborough Lakers Introduce Head Coach Mike Hasen As New General Manager; Former GM Paul Day Retires From Team

Peterborough Century 21 Lakers head coach Mike Hasen has been introduced as the team’s new general manager as Paul Day has stepped down from the role, retiring from the club.

Ted Higgins, Lakers President (left); Mike Rasen, Lakers GM and head coach and Len Powers, Lakers Chairman during the team’s press conference, introducing Rasen as the new GM. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame in the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday afternoon.

Hasen has served as head coach of the Lakers since being introduced in 2015. During that time, Paul Day was named general manager. The duo had won four consecutive Mann Cup championships, five Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) titles and made seven finals appearances with the Lakers during that span.

“He's been a mentor and a friend to me on so many levels to allow me to be where I am today,” explained Hasen. “I've learned a lot and Paul may not be here on a daily basis but I know I'm going to be on the phone with him a lot.”

Paul Day (left) served as the team’s general manager since 2015. He also serves as general manager and head coach of the Phildelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Hasen will be busy in his new role as the team must submit a protected players list and plan for the upcoming MSL draft at a pending date.

Last season, the Six Nations Chiefs swept the Lakers in the MSL Championship, stopping Peterborough’s quest for their ‘Drive For Five’ campaign to win five straight Mann Cup Championships.

Hasen has championship aspirations as he wants to bring another Mann Cup back to Peterborough after last year’s season being a ‘disappointment.’

“We were disappointed with the way our season ended and Six Nations is very good,” he explained. “They're the Mann Cup champs for a reason. I think it reminded us what we need to do on floor and maybe a bit off floor to get back to their level.”

The new general manager noted that changes would be made to make the Lakers a championship team and identified what needed to be done to bring Peterborough another Mann Cup title.

“Last season, we did lose a good chunk of quality and experienced players and one of the messages we were trying to leave with those guys is that 'it's your guys' turn.'“ said Hasen. “I think having that year of not relying on the Mark Mattews or Shawn Evans gives them more experience to step up. Where the season ended, it cemented where we need to improve as players, as staff and I think at the end of the day, that experience will hopefully carry us forward.”

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Peterborough Lakers Announce 2023 Season Award Winners

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers announced their 2023 season award winners at a thank-you dinner for staff and volunteers at the Alternatives Community Program Services on Braidwood Avenue on Saturday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterboroough Lakers.

Holden Cattoni took home the most hardware, with three awards: Top Scorer, Fan Favourite and MVP (shared with Turner Evans).

“It’s an honour to be recognized by the Lakers and fans with three awards,” said Cattoni. “It is always special to look at the names on the trophies and see your name among some of the greatest Lakers to ever play.”

This was Cattoni’s first Fan Favourite award. Fans could vote over the period of wo weeks online from Sept. 25 to Oct. 6.

“The fans are such an integral piece to what makes playing in Peterborough so special,” he said. “I was also humbled by being presented my awards by our volunteers. Their work goes largely unnoticed and their contributions are appreciated by the players and staff.”

The annual Volunteer of the Year award was presented to team equipment managers Pete Hynes, Scott Robertson and Dale Reid.

“Our equipment staff puts countless volunteer hours in behind the scenes,” said Len Powers, board chairman. “Our players and board respect what they do for the Lakers. They definitely deserved to be recognized for their hard work.”

Full Awards List:

• Top Scorer – Holden Cattoni

• Rookie of the Year – Landon Kells

• Most Improved – Austin Hasen

• Most Sportsmanlike – Colton Armstrong

• Top Defenceman – Robert Hope

• Top Transition Player – Matt Gilray

• Fan Favourite – Holden Cattoni

• MVP – Holden Cattoni & Turner Evans

• Volunteers of the Year – Scott Robertson, Dale Reid & Pete Hynes

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Six Nations Chiefs Sweep Peterborough Lakers To Win the MSL Championship In 10-5 Win

The Peterborough Lakers ‘Drive For Five’ comes to an unfortunate end as they got swept by the Six Nations Chiefs with a 10-5 loss in Game Four at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

Six Nations came out firing to start the game as league MVP Lyle Thompson continued where he left off in this series scoring the first two goals of the game. Austin Staats also on a tear this postseason scored the next two for the Chiefs and Six Nations was riding a 4-0 lead halfway through the period. Kiel Matisz finally got Peterborough on the board with his third goal of the playoffs with 8:13 left in the period. No more goals were scored and Six Nations were looking to sweep the Lakers with the 4-1 lead into the second.

The Lakers had an early power play in the period but it went the other way as the other Staats brother Randy got into the mix and scored shorthanded for a 5-1 lead. More special teams troubles plagued the Lakers as Shayne Jackson scored on the power play for Six Nations to put Peterborough’s deficit at five. Six Nations tacked on another two goals including a hat trick from Austin to round out the period and Peterborough was in danger, trailing 8-1.

Peterborough’s offense started to work as they drew first blood in the third period thanks to Matt Gilray’s seventh goal of the playoffs. Eric Fannell countered with his own for Six Nations but Peterborough went on a three-goal run to try and mount the seemingly impossible comeback with 8:54 left to play. Unfortunately, the Lakers could not get anything past Chiefs goaltender and 2019 President’s Cup MVP Warren Hill and Tim Edwards put the dagger into the Lakers with an insurance marker with 3:16 left to play. The Chiefs shrugged off the Lakers and won convincingly 10-5 and captured the MSL Final championship.

Landon Kells gets the loss for the Lakers in net and Hill gets the win for Six Nations with a sweep of Peterborough.

With the win, Six Nations are MSL champions, their first title since 2016. They play the winner of the Western Lacrosse Association final between the New Westminster Salmonbellies and Langley Thunder for the Mann Cup in British Columbia.

Austin Staats was given the Shooter Davis Award for the MSL Final’s Most Valuable Player.

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