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LACROSSE CANADA’S ONGOING CHALLENGE; MORE OR BETTER?

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By Pierre Filion pierrefilion@bell.net It’s rather basic but every national sport association has a preoccupation for the development of their sport. They all want more players and they also want those players to play better. They want the Association to perform better. Rather simple to understand but more complex to realize. And to be efficient in both areas. Lacrosse Canada faces those challenges and the best way to appreciate its efforts is to have a look at the 2026-27 budget and see where the Association invests (spends) its money. The money comes from four different sources: Sport Canada contributes 1,265,162$ (30.5% of the budget); sponsors and donations create a revenue of 174,500$ (4.2% of the budget); the members’ contributions through membership fees, national championships, transfers, meetings and clinics shovel in 2,161,314$ (52.1% of the revenues); finally, the National Teams and the Development Program turn in 542,700$ (13% of the budget). Total revenues are of 4,143...
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TEAMS, TROPHIES, MEDALS, GREAT FUN BUT A QUESTION REMAINS

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By Pierre Filion pierrefilion@bell.net This is one of the best times of the year for lacrosse; medals are won, teams are honored, players are appreciated and managements are sometimes singled out for the excellence of their governance and wisdom. It’s also a lot of fun to see Alberta’s rise in the quest for medals and become some sort of a leader and mostly an example for other provinces. Sure , a few imports never hurt s (yeah, yeah) but in general terms the game in Alberta has risen and the province is now a recognized legitimate contender for any national championship. Somehow , I like Alberta; I like their business sense, their calm and organization; I saw their quest for inclusion within the Minto Cup some years ago and the Alberta d elegates, often facing a capricious brick wall, never lost their cool and efficiently progressed until they met all the criteria and were included in the Minto Cup competition. They had a ‘’chin up’’ attitude all the way and never complained ab...
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Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame

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Class of 2026 - PLAYER Inductees The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame (CLHOF) announced its twelve-member class of 2026. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on October 24, 2026 in New Westminster, British Columbia. The 2026 Player class includes five players: Glenn Clark His playing career saw him win multiple championships. He was on winning teams internationally, in the National Lacrosse League and the Ontario Lacrosse Association Senior “A” League. He is a five-time NLL Champion with the Toronto Rock winning in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005. He won three Mann Cup Championships with the Brooklin Lacrosse Club in 1990 and 2000 along with the Coquitlam Adanacs in 2001. Glenn Clark was a three-time NLL All-Star. He also won a Gold Medal as a member of Team Canada in the 2003 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.   John Grant Junior Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, John Grant Jr. has earned induction into the National Lacrosse League Hall of F...
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Bob Keast: Proven Winner Many Times

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As a player, Bob Keast stood 5’10” and weighed a solid 175 pounds.  He was a member of three Minto Cup teams with the Junior “A” Peterborough Maulers in 1986, 1987 and 1988. The 1986 and 1987 teams were undefeated over two regular seasons, winning 45 of 45 games and going 18 out of 18 in the playoffs on the way to winning Minto Cup championships. Although known for his defensive prowess, Bob did accumulate 131 points along with 267 penalty minutes in 148 games at the Junior level. He is also known for bringing a positive attitude to the team. Between 1986 and 1989, the Junior Maulers played a total of 147 games, winning 131 times. In Major Series Lacrosse, Bob Keast has won an impressive nine Mann Cup championships with the Senior level Peterborough Lakers. Mann Cup Champions Bob also has experience at the international level having played for the Canadian junior team. Furthermore, Bob Keast has coached 8 seasons in the National Lacrosse League with the Ottawa Rebel, Chicago Shamro...
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MAJOR SERIES LACROSSE LEAGUE FINALS

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The Major Series League Finals are set to go with the Six Nations Chiefs and the Peterborough Lakers battling for the Championship! The winning team will host the Western Lacrosse Association champion for the Mann Cup championship. This is Peterborough’s eleventh consecutive trip to the MSL finals. During the 2026 regular season, the first-place Chiefs defeated the Lakers 11-6 10-5 Dates for the best of seven series are: Game 1 – Tuesday, August 18 @ Six Nations Game 2 – Thursday, August 20 @ Peterborough Game 3 – Sunday, August 23 @ Six Nations Game 4 – Tuesday, August 25 @ Peterborough Game 5 (if necessary) Thursday, August  27 @ Six Nations Game 6 (if necessary) Sunday, August 30 @ Peterborough Game 7 (if necessary) Tuesday, September 1 @ Six Nations  
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Dave Evans: The Backbone Between the Pipes

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In lacrosse, goal scorers often get the headlines. Playmakers are celebrated. Offensive numbers dominate conversations. But those who truly understand the game know this: Championships are often built from the back out. And that is where Dave Evans made his mark — not just as a goaltender, but as a cornerstone of teams, a leader under pressure, and a defining presence in the crease.  
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Paul Suggate

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Highly Respected and Accomplished Lacrosse Contributor Paul Suggate was born in England. His family moved to Alderwood, Ontario when he was two years old. He remains an Etobicoke resident.  Suggate is known for being one of the best lacrosse players of his time, breaking numerous records for scoring. Paul was a Minto Cup Champion (1970) and is remembered as one of the keys to the Lakeshore team winning.  Paul Suggate has been a very successful athlete and is recognized for being a team player and giving the utmost respect to those he played against. He has always been well respected in the lacrosse community as one of the best players.  Amongst his numerous accomplishments: Paul was recognized as the 2005 Ontario Major Lacrosse Coach of the Year, getting inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1993, earning MVP Honours and being the leading scorer in the National Lacrosse League in 1974 and 1975 and being a Mann Cup Champion in 1971 with the Brantford Warrior...
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WHERE IS LACROSSE CANADA’ S AUDITED STATEMENT FOR 2025-26

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By Pierre Filion pierrefilion@bell.net Lacrosse Canada’s 2025-26 fiscal year ended on March 31th 2026. That is four months ago and still Lacrosse Canada has not come forward with the publication of its 2025- 2 6 audited financial statement. To Lacrosse Canada’s defense we all need to admit that the numerous changes within the organization might have led to this delay; the president (Matt Shearer) has been expelled, the Executive Director (Terry Rayner) has been terminated and the Technical Director (Wendy Dobbin) has also left. There is a new president (Barbara Lockhart), a new CEO (Lori Degraw) and a new Technical Director (Dave Stockton) who have stepped in and who are, somehow, trying to steer what appears to be a rudderless ship. Those are important changes and surely indicate that questions need to be asked. Especially in the financial domain as we are waiting for the 2025-26 statement. But four months is a long time for the paying members to wait. Someone from Lacrosse Ca...
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NEW LEADER, NEW ATTITUDE BUT SAME CHALLENGES AT LACROSSE CANADA

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 by Pierre Filion        pierrefilion@bell.net  Lacrosse Canada has selected its new CEO; Lori Degraw. Her résumé and experience are impressive. We are dealing here with a qualified person. Her first great advantage is that she does not emerge from the lacrosse community, has no axe to grind with anyone, no quarrels to settle and no promises made here and there. She is no one’s favorite or selection. She owes nothing to anyone. That is significant and will give her leeway to operate and run the ship. A disadvantage is that she will have to ‘’learn’’ the culture of lacrosse, the history of the game and the Association’s past successes and failures. But she has time to learn. The people she will talk to, and learn from, might dictate her appreciation of the situation within Lacrosse Canada. She has already indicated an availability and interest to meet the game’s members and partners in order to get an idea of what’s going on with lacrosse. That in itself is ...
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Robert "Buff" McCready

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Multi Hall of Fame Ball Stopper Incredible Offensive Threat Buff McCready holding Mann Cup Won by Brantford in 1971 Born in Port Dalhousie, Ontario (near St. Catherines), Bob McCready was an elite goaltender who went onto coach after his playing days (1958-1976). In addition to being a top-notch ball stopper, Bob McCready is credited for transitioning goalies into offensive threats as he possessed sniper passing skills. McCready amassed a total of 15 goals and 608 assists during his career. That is right 15 goals and 608 assists as a goalie! In addition, Buff McCready was known for his overall toughness, a player who did not hesitate to drop his gloves when necessary. Athletes often are given a nickname. The story behind Bob McCready’s BUFF originated during his childhood days. As a youngster under the age of ten, Bob and his buddies would play games such as Cowboys and Indians. Bob was tagged “Buffalo Bob” which was eventually shortened to “Buff”.  The nickname stuck with him for ...
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Joe Comeau

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“The Quiet Man”  Known as “The Quiet Man”, (as he let his play speak for him), Joe Comeau won a Minto Cup with the New Westminster Salmonbellies in 1960 (the team had a record of 21-1).  Comeau went onto win four Mann Cup championships (1970, 1972, 1974, 1976). In addition, Comeau received six first all-star team selections and four most valuable player awards. Comeau was not initially a goalie. After playing four seasons of minor lacrosse as a defenseman, Joe decided to become a goalie. After winning four provincial championships, Comeau began playing for the Junior “A” New Westminster Salmonbellies where Joe helped the Junior ‘Bellies win the 1960 Minto Cup with a 21-1 record. By 1962, Joe Comeau played for both the New Westminster Salmonbellies of the Interprovincial Lacrosse League and Port Coquitlam of the Senior “B” League. Comeau backstopped Port Coquitlam to a provincial championship. By 1964, he was a full-time goalie with the Salmonbellies, although he did play with ...
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