Joe Hiltz-Builder Series

In Conversation with Joe Hiltz

Commissioner - Ontario Series Lacrosse 

OSL League Commissioner Joe Hiltz

Written by Rad Joseph

radjoseph23@gmail.com

Born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario Joe (Joey) Hiltz has a lengthy and celebrated lacrosse background. As a player he won 3 Minto Cups. He played Senior level lacrosse with the Peterborough Lakers of Major Series Lacrosse and the New Westminster Salmonbellies of the Western Lacrosse Association. He played five seasons in the National Lacrosse League. His roles have included officiating, coaching and serving as an administrator for local, zone and provincial teams including coaching Team Ontario. He is currently the Head Coach of Team Ireland Women's Box Lacrosse at the international level; Head Coach and General Manager in the Ontario based Arena Lacrosse League and was just named a coach with the newly announced Lacrosse Canada field lacrosse development program. As an executive, Joe Hiltz served ten years as the Vice-President of Field Lacrosse for the Ontario Lacrosse Association.

As the Ontario Lacrosse Association has completed the 2024 season, THINK LACROSSE had the opportunity to speak with Joe Hiltz, now serving as the Commissioner of Ontario Series Lacrosse. For many years, the league was referred to as the Ontario Senior “B” Lacrosse League. However, to get away from the notion of Senior implying an old man’s league (which it is not), the league rebranded itself with the name Ontario Series Lacrosse.

Commissioner Hiltz offered his opinion on issues impacting the OSL. Mr. Hiltz has been the League Commissioner since 2019. He had extensive previous experience including having completed ten years overseeing field lacrosse for the province of Ontario. Looking for a new challenge, he willingly took on the role of OSL Commissioner.

Currently, the OSL is a six-team league comprised of the following teams: Brooklin Merchants; Clearview Crusaders; Ennismore James Gang; Hamilton Bengals; Owen Sound North Stars; Six Nations Rivermen.

#1. As the Ontario Series Lacrosse League Commissioner, can you summarize your overall feeling of what shape the OSL is in? What are your thoughts on the stability/strength of the current six franchises? 

The shape of the league is good and for the most part highly competitive. Six teams are a good number - getting to 8 teams would be ideal given the number of high-caliber players available in Ontario to play. I appreciate the positive communication between the organizations and feel our strength lies in our mutual love of and respect for the game.

#2. Any thoughts regarding OSL expansion in the future? 

Yes, we have a group interested in entering a team in 2025 which will likely be confirmed when we hold our upcoming Annual General Meeting. There is an application fee, which is not large so as not to deter potential franchises, but serves as an indicator of serious intent.

If we could create an Eastern Ontario loop, we would. There are locations in the Far East who would have a natural affiliation with their local Junior “B” team (think Akwesasne, Gloucester, Kahnawake, Nepean). However, for this to occur, we would want assurance Ontario could have two entries in the Presidents Cup, which may be a hurdle which cannot be overcome.

#3. Your thoughts pertaining to officiating in the OSL. Overall assessment regarding quality of officiating? Does the OSL have access to sufficient referees? As the OSL Commissioner, are you happy with their overall performance? 

There are several issues that can create challenges when it comes to officiating. With the plethora of great lacrosse action going on in Ontario, it can be a struggle as to who is available at some points during the season. Paying mileage can also be a concern depending on the travel scenario for the officials. In my opinion the referee is just a visitor - let the players play - and for the most part that is how the officials handle our games. As Commissioner I am happy with the way referees have performed and I appreciate the positive working relationship I have with the Ontario Lacrosse Officials Association (OLOA). We encourage officials to work in our league to gain experience and show their commitment to the OSL in order to get the opportunity to referee in the Presidents Cup championship.

#4. With respecting your need to not discuss specific teams, what are your general thoughts regarding the League’s financial stability. For example, are there any future league and team sponsorships prospects? 

Financially we are a solid league, but as in any league, at various stages, some franchises fare better than others. Like in all leagues coming out of COVID, our teams had to rebuild. Teams experienced an interruption of or loss of sponsorship money. As a league, we always welcome sponsorship for various aspects including league awards, etc. I am always on the lookout for sponsors and partnerships that will benefit our teams and league as a whole.

#5. General thoughts on the relationship between the OSL and the Major Series Lacrosse league? Are there any ventures the two leagues can undertake to support and promote both leagues?
I feel the relationship is strong. MSL Commissioner Lynn Withers and I have worked together in various lacrosse capacities over the years and we have a good relationship. We have ensured some aspects of our league policies allow players to move back and forth to enable them to play both OSL and MSL.

#6. Clearly players have options beyond playing OSL (MSL the obvious option). How does this impact rosters and how the OSL conducts its business? 

Our rosters are not greatly affected as we are lucky to service a lot of players across Ontario. With no residence restrictions, it allows our teams to reach out and access players and work out a situation that works for both player and team.

#7. It is apparent the OSL is a significant supplier of players for the MSL. Are there any plans for the OSL to persuade the MSL to support the OSL in a financial or promotional manner?
Financial support is not really all that feasible. There are some situations where we get support with a development fee when a player signs an MSL playing card. We do have a good working relationship with the MSL and may look to promoting each other in a more significant way in the future.

#8. Do you have advisors you confide in to provide opinions for you in dealing with OSL related concerns and plans? 

Absolutely! There are experienced, knowledgeable and passionate people in our lacrosse community who I can count on to bounce things off of and get an honest answer from. When dealing with OSL issues, I turn to people not directly involved in our league for opinions.

#9. Are there any issues related to the OSL which routinely concern you? 

There are no pressing or routine concerns. We have a great group of owners and general managers who work diligently to keep their teams operational and our league competitive. I see my role as largely being there to guide the ship and work to continue to steer it in the right direction.

#10. Commissioner Hiltz - If you could wave a magic wand – what would you do to impact lacrosse and specifically – the OSL? 

Yes, we wish graduating junior players were more aware that the OSL is an option - a viable, competitive and rewarding option for them to continue playing lacrosse at a high level. If we had a simple way to obtain graduating junior players contact information, we could more easily relay that message. We would also love to have more sponsorship involvement. Anyone interested in sponsoring our league or a specific team, please reach out!

#11. If someone had told you in 2015, you would become Commissioner for the Ontario Senior Lacrosse in 2019 – your reaction would have been?

My reaction would have been…”Maybe”. I consider myself an ambitious person and I do not shy away from taking on a challenge or learning something new. I have plenty of experience serving on minor lacrosse and zone executives, as Vice-President of field lacrosse for the province, on the Ontario Lacrosse Association board and Canadian Lacrosse Association committees. I enjoy taking on different roles and tasks and giving back to the game that has given me so much. I feel my strong suit is being able to mediate through issues that arise and to listen to those I represent. So, the thought of me serving as Commissioner, sure, why not?

#12. As you complete your sixth season in your role as the OSL Commissioner, are you enjoying it? 

Yes, I do enjoy helping to shape the league and game. I feel my role is to listen to my teams and work for what they want. It is a shared vision. I am lucky to work with the people in the OSL who appreciate this game as much as I do.

#13 Accounting for no play in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID, are you concerned that Ontario has won the Presidents Cup only three times in the past ten years of competition?

No, never concerned about who wins, as only one team can win the championship. My concern is HOW they win! Everyone involved in the game at this level should be concerned when teams have a roster loaded with National Lacrosse League players.

#14 Your thoughts as Commissioner that Ontario (Brooklin) is hosting the 2025 Presidents Cup?

Very excited! Brooklin is a solid franchise and a top-notch organization. The area is a hotbed of lacrosse so is a great location to host and bring our game to old and new fans. The year 2025 is also the Brooklin Merchants 25th anniversary, so what better way to celebrate than to host a national championship. They are hard at work already to make it a great experience.

#15 Any final thoughts?

I just wish more people knew how competitive and entertaining our league is and how much potential there is for growth. We have a great deal of talent and dedication on our teams. The OSL could be an option for lacrosse locations such as London, Cambridge, or St. Catharines. I would love to have inquiries or applications from teams in those, or any area, for entry into the OSL.