Voice of Peterborough Leads Broadcast For Ninth Year In One of North America's Largest Lacrosse Tournaments

Since 2016, Peterborough’s Stephen Stamp has been the voice of one of the continent’s largest annual lacrosse tournaments, the North American Invitational (LAXNAI), as he gears up for the event’s ninth season, starting Thursday and running until Sunday.

Stamp (left) as a play-by-play commentator for Laxnai 2025 in Utica, N.Y. Photo courtesy of Shutterlax (Marek Stor Photography).

The tournament runs for four days at the Utica University Nexus Center in Utica, N.Y., showcasing lacrosse talent from around the world.

Stamp has been the tournament’s main play-by-play broadcaster since its inception.

“It’s a lot of fun. I loved the idea when they started it and the execution of the tournament has been a blast,” said Stamp.

The tournament started as the Lacrosse All-Stars North American Invitational with only a men’s division. Over the years, the event rebranded as LAXNAI and has expanded both its competition and eligibility.

“It’s been really fun to see it grow in terms of quality of competition and size of the tournament,” said Stamp. “We’ve added a women’s division and a youth division. It’s always been a fun tournament to call.”

Peterborough (and surrounding area) lacrosse players have been on stage for numerous LAXNAI tournaments including Adam Perroni, Drew Hutchinson, Curve Lake’s Deacon Knott and Erica Evans. She won the championship with BP Lawyers and was named tournament most valuable player in the inaugural women’s tournament.

“It’s cool from Peterborough to be a part of it and have the tournament host Peterborough players,” explained Stamp. “Peterborough’s such an important nexus of the sport. They put out amazing lacrosse talent but its approach to the game is pretty gritty and competitive which helps the drive of the competitiveness of the tournament and the fun to LAXNAI.”

Whether he is seeing fellow Peterborough residents or anyone involved in lacrosse, Stamp says the sport’s community helps keep him coming back.

“Part of it is seeing so many friends from the game; it’s such a gathering of great people who are there having fun, doing something we all love,” he said. “You walk around the building and you know so many people and it’s great. It’s great to be part of a community that’s so diverse and welcoming.”

Stamp writes for Inside Lacrosse and has also worked in roles as a lacrosse analyst and play-by-play commentator for several leagues.

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