Canadian Lacrosse League

The Ohsweken Demons announced Friday that their team’s coaching and management staff has been modified for the upcoming season.

2015 Head Coach, Ron Henry will transition into the role of the team’s General Manager. This move is being done as Vince Hill moves into a league role that will see him assist with the continued success of both Jr. C-Lax and pro player development.  Henry has spent two seasons in the Canadian Lacrosse League, winning a Creator’s Cup with the Iroquois Ironmen in 2013, and leading the Ohsweken Demons to the Creator’s Cup final last season.  Additionally, he has been involved with the NLL’s Buffalo Bandits, the Iroquois Nationals indoor team, and the Six Nations Chiefs.

“The Ohsweken Demons are one of the most successful teams in C-Lax history.” said Ron Henry. “We will focus on continuing that success, and build on our tradition of winning.”

Roger Chrysler accepts the role of Head Coach this season, having spent two seasons with the Demons as an Assistant Coach.  Chrysler has great chemistry with Henry having been a part of the 2013 Creator’s Cup champion Iroquois Ironmen.  His coaching resume also includes time behind the bench of the Jr. B Niagara Thunderhawks and, most recently, the Sr. B St. Catharines Saints, helping them to a bronze medal at the 2015 Presidents’ Cup.  

On Monday, September 28, 2015, the National Lacrosse League (NLL) hosted their 2015 draft at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre.  Over the course of the evening, three C-Lax players were selected:

Doug Buchan (Niagara Lock Monsters) - Saskatchewan Rush

Thomas Hoggarth (Durham Turfdogs) - Georgia Swarm

John. St. John (Durham Turfdogs) - Rochester Knighthawks

Niagara Lock Monsters goaltender, Doug Buchan said, “Walking up to the stage was the most amazing feeling that I have ever experienced, it was exciting but also felt very rewarding that all the years I have played and worked has paid off.  The whole experience of draft night was surreal and is going to be a memory that I will remember forever.”

C-Lax Players & Coaches Participate in World Indoor Lacrosse Championships

From September 18-27, the Onondaga Nation hosted the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships (WILC).  This event saw thirteen Nations gather together to compete and celebrate the game of lacrosse.  C-Lax is proud to have been a part of this important international event by having nineteen current and former players and coaches participating:

Current Players

Jake Henhawk – Team USA – Ohsweken Demons

Josh Becker – Team Iroquois – Ohsweken Demons

Kevin Harper – Team Israel – Barrie Blizzard

Mike Gillan – Team England – Barrie Blizzard

Roger Vyse – Team Iroquois – Ohsweken Demons

Tom Montour – Team Iroquois – Ohsweken Demons

Tyler Glebe – Team Germany – Southwest Cyclops

Ohsweken Demons player, Josh Becker suited up for Team Iroquois at the tournament.  Becker and Team Iroquois advanced to the finals before falling to Team Canada.  Despite the outcome, Becker felt that the tournament was monumental.  “Not only was it good medicine for our Haudenosaunee people but for lacrosse fans from across the world.  The biggest highlight for me besides playing against Canada and US was probably when we saluted our fans and supporters after each game.  Win or lose they cheered us on and supported us the whole way.  It was a great feeling and sent chills through me every time.”

This was the first time that the Federation of International Lacrosse held the WILC at the Onondaga Nation.  Becker said, “It really meant a lot to me to have the games hosted by the Haudenosaunee at Onondaga.  The Onondaga Nation did a great job hosting the event and telling the story of our Iroquois People.  All the Iroquois Nations were represented well throughout the games and it was amazing to have the games “come home”.

Current GMs/Coaches/League Staff

Brad MacArthur – Team Israel Head Coach – Barrie Blizzard

Clancy Almas – Team Ireland Assistant Coach – Niagara Lock Monsters

Jeff Dowling – Team Ireland Head Coach – C-Lax Exec. VP/Dir. of Lacrosse Operations

Jonas Derks – Team Serbia Offence Coach – Durham Turfdogs

Barrie Blizzard Head Coach, Brad MacArthur led Team Israel to a fourth place finish in their inaugural tournament appearance said, “There were several highlights that are too numerous to mention.  Our first win over Serbia, the opening ceremonies, and the playoff win over the Czech Republic all stand out.  We also had a team meeting Saturday night prior to the Bronze medal game that was a real eye opener and highlight for us; it was a significant family moment.”

The WILC truly is a celebration of lacrosse and a key event in growing the sport.  MacArthur feels, “These types of international events put lacrosse on a grand stage.  It also opens eyes to another version of lacrosse apart from the field game.  It provides an opportunity for developing nations like us to see how USA, but more importantly the Iroquois and Canada play the game.  Behind the scenes you also have people talking about lacrosse development in different areas of the world, sharing ideas, and providing expertise and assistance in making the game better in an attempt to grow it.”

C-Lax Alumni Participating in WILC

Glen Clark – Team Canada Assistant Coach – Toronto Shooting Stars

Jason Crosbie – Team Israel Assistant Coach – Durham Turfdogs

Jesse Cracknell – Team Germany Head Coach – Southwest Cyclops

Jim Veltman – Team Czech Republic Head Coach – Former C-Lax Commissioner

Kedoh Hill – Team Iroquois – Ohsweken Demons

Scott Komer – Team Turkey – Barrie Blizzard

Wenster Green – Team Iroquois – Barrie Blizzard

In one of most thrilling and crucial games of the season thus far, the Southwest Cyclops came back to defeat the Durham Turfdogs 14-12.  With this win, and the Ohsweken loss Friday night, the Cyclops move into first place in the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax).

Durham was quick to get things started when Josh Wasson scored just over a minute into the game. Shortly after, Geoff McNulty scored on a power play making the score 2-0 for the Turfdogs.  Alex Lubczuk would get the Cyclops on the board with a goal about half way through the quarter but, Durham’s Geoff McNulty would net another power play goal giving the Turfdogs back a two goal lead.  Before the quarter was over Travis Burton would add another goal for Southwest followed by back to back goals from the Turfdogs’ Hoggarth and Goddard giving Durham a 5-2 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Cyclops picked up their game.  Miller Rusbridge started it off with a goal, followed by back-to-back goals from Dan Keane to tie the Game up 5-5.  Dylan Webster and Mike Burke each added a goal, giving the Cyclops their first lead of the game.  The lead wouldn’t last long as Durham’s Geoff McNulty completed his hat trick goal, followed by goals from Jesse Guerin and Josh Wasson.  At the end of the first half Durham led 8-7.

The third quarter was quiet seeing only three goals scored in the frame. Durham’s Geoff McNulty captured his fourth goal of the game, followed by a goal from Pete Rennie.  Matt Spanger would answer for the Cyclops making the score 10-8 for Durham at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was a thriller between the two teams.  John St. John opened up the scoring with a goal for the Turfdogs.  Miller Rusbridge replied, netting back-to-back goals for the Cyclops but, Jesse Guerin would put Durham back up by two goals with over eight minutes remaining in the game.  Just over a minute later, the Cyclops would get four uninterrupted goals from Mike Burke, Jordan Critch, Dan Keane, and Brady Heseltine, making the final score 14-12 for the Southwest Cyclops.

Three Stars

The Barrie Blizzard (2-2) used a strong second and third quarters to defeat the Ohsweken Demons (2-1) 9-7 on Friday night at Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.

In a quiet first quarter, the Demons would open the scoring with just under five minutes remaining when Dewey Porter would take a feed from Chris Attwood and bury it behind Barrie goaltender Angus Dineley.  Blue Hill would follow that up just over a minute later and the Demons went into the second quarter up 2-0.

The Demons kept it on in the second opening the quarter just 45 seconds in when Travis Hill was left all alone in front of the Blizzard goal, quickly making it 3-0 for the Demons.  Finally, with just over ten minutes remaining in the quarter, Barrie’s Mike Teeter would take a pass from Connor Latimer and get the Blizzard on the board.  Barrie would go on to score three more in the quarter and find themselves leading 4-3 heading into half time.

The Blizzard would open the third with a goal from Mike Mawdsley, who took a great pass from AJ Masson.  Michael Teeter would complete his hat-trick less than a minute later giving Barrie a 6-3 lead.  Roger Vyse would get the Demons back on the scoresheet with twenty-five seconds left in the quarter, and the Blizzard would go into the final frame leading 6-4.

The Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) is pleased to announce its Players of the Week for week four of the 2015 season.

Offensive Player of the Week: Jesse Guerin – Durham Turfdogs – Guerin dominated this weekend netting a hat trick as well as five assists.  He currently leads the Turfdogs in points with twelve in three games.

Honourable Mention: Mike Burke – Southwest Cyclops – Burke tallied two goals and seven assists for a total of nine points.

Defensive Player of the Week: Jay Preece – Southwest Cyclops – For the second week in a row, Preece receives Defensive Player of the Week.  Preece came into the game in relief of injured Grant Crawley in the second quarter and allowed six goals, and only two in the second half.

Honourable Mention: Scott Gamble – Durham Turfdogs – Gamble was an aggressive asset on defense, assisting the Turfdogs to a win.

Transition Player of the Week: Mike Gillan – Barrie Blizzard – Gillan was instrumental in leading the Blizzard out of the defensive end; he also added a goal and an assist.

Honourable Mention: Travis Burton – Southwest Cyclops – Burton was a key player in the Cyclops’ victory. He tallied a goal and an assist.

Rookie of the Week: Dan Keane – Southwest Cyclops – For the second time in the 2015 season, Keane has been named Rookie of the Week.  He scored three goals and added three assists against Niagara.

The Durham Turfdogs arose victorious in their rematch against the Barrie Blizzard, with a final score of 14-10.  Both teams put up a valiant fight, but in the end it was the Turfdogs who claimed the win.

Barrie was quick to open the scoring when Jayson Crawford scored a mere nineteen seconds in.  Scott Defranceso added back-to-back goals for the Blizzard making the score 3-0.  Geoff McNulty would finally get the Turfdogs on the board almost five minutes into the quarter.  Barrie added another goal from Mike Gillan, followed shortly by another Durham goal from Mcnulty and Josh Wasson making the score 4-3 for the Blizzard at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Turfdogs really gained momentum scoring five consecutive goals from Thomas Hoggarth, Coady Adamson, Josh Wasson, Jesse Guerin, and Tim Bergin.  Michael Teeter and Connor Latimer would score for Barrie, making the score 8-6 for Durham at the end of the first half.

At the start of the third, Mike Mawdsley scored just a minute into play for the Blizzard.  However, the Turfdogs hit another scoring streak seeing goals from Guerin, Tim Bergin, John St. John and McNulty.  Mawdsley added another for Barrie, but at the end of the third Durham led 13-8.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Barrie needed to come out hard to catch up to Durham’s five-goal lead.  Kevin Harper and Johnny Rae added a goal for the Blizzard but it was not enough.  The Turfdogs tallied the final goal of the game from Dylan Goddard making the final score 14-10.

On Saturday, January 31, the Southwest Cyclops used a strong second half to come back and defeat the Niagara Lock Monsters 12-9 in their home opener at the Syl Apps Community Centre in Paris, Ontario.

In the first quarter, the Niagara Lock Monsters would open the scoring less than five minutes in when Brendon Thenhaus buried a feed from Mark Vradenburg.  The two teams would exchange chances over the remainder of the quarter until Niagara’s Brock Levick would add a second goal for Niagara with just under three minutes remaining, giving Niagara a 2-0 lead at the end of the first.

In the second, Southwest would battle back, tying the game at two with goals from Kyle Childerhose and Ryan MacGregor.  The Cyclops’ second goal seemed to ignite the Lock Monsters as they would go on to score four straight before Southwest could find an answer to goaltender Zak Boychuk, and Niagara went into halftime leading 7-3.

Niagara’s Dylan Llord would open the third quarter with another goal, growing the Lock Monsters lead to 8-3.  Southwest’s Brady Heseltine would notch back to back goals, starting an incredible run of five goals for the Cyclops in the quarter.  Heading into the fourth, the Cyclops had come all the way back to tie the game 8-8.

It was more of the same in the fourth as the Cyclops continued to roll as Mike Burke, Travis Burton, Ryan MacGregor, and Dan Keane would all score, giving Southwest a 12-8 lead with just under three minutes remaining.  Niagara’s Scott Johnston would score with eleven seconds on the clock but, it wasn’t enough, and the Cyclops went on to a 12-9 victory.

Three Stars

The Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) is pleased to announce its Players of the Week for week three of the 2015 season.

Offensive Player of the Week: Torrey Van Every – Ohsweken Demons – Van Every was unstoppable on Friday night as he netted four goals. He currently leads CLax and the Demons with six goals on the season.

Honourable Mention: Roger Vyse – Ohsweken Demons - Vyse was able to tally two goals and four assists for a total of six points in his first game of the season.

Defensive Player of the Week: Jay Preece – Southwest Cyclops – Preece was rock solid allowing 10 goals against, with 38 shots on net.  Preece’s performance was highlighted by an incredible save that robbed Dallas John of a sure goal.

Honourable Mention: Jake Henhawk – Ohsweken Demons – For the second week in a row Henhawk stood on his head in net, aiding the Demons to back-to-back victories.

Transition Player of the Week: Dylan Webster – Southwest Cyclops – Webster was instrumental in Southwest’s efforts against Ohsweken, netting two goals and adding an assist.

Honourable Mention: Tom Montour – Ohsweken Demons – For the second week in a row Montour was influential for the Demons, he added a goal and an assist to his stats and is currently tied for the league lead in points with eight.

Rookie of the Week: Rodd Squire – Ohsweken Demons – Squire would capture the game winning goal for the Demons, also adding another goal and assist.

The Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) is pleased to announce its Players of the Week for week two of the 2015 Season.

Offensive Player of the Week: Michael Teeter – Barrie Blizzard – Teeter was a key player in Barrie’s first win of the season netting four goals and one assist. Teeter joined the Blizzard this week after Colin Boucher was signed to a 1-year contract with Vancouver Stealth of the NLL.

Honourable Mention: Corey Fowler – Niagara Lock Monsters - Fowler was able to rack up three goals and two assists for the Lock Monsters.

Defensive Player of the Week: Thomas Hoggarth – Durham Turfdogs - Hoggarth was solid on defence causing a number of turnovers.  Hoggarth also added his first goal of the season this weekend.

Honourable Mention: Jake Henhawk – Ohsweken Demons – Henhawk made 28 saves in his first game of the season, which included some crucial stops in the final minutes to secure a Demons’ win.

Transition Player of the Week: Tom Montour– Ohsweken Demons – Montour picked up two goals and four assists; he was instrumental in sparking a fourth quarter rally.

Honourable Mention: Dylan Goddard – Durham Turfdogs - Goddard was a key part of the Turfdogs transition game picking up two goals and one assist.

Rookie of the Week: Mark Vradenburg – Niagara Lock Monsters – The 2nd round pick in the 2014 Entry Draft recorded a hat trick and added an assist, making a big impact for the Lock Monsters.

Click on the link below to see highlights from Week 2 of the 2015 season!

The Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) is pleased to announce its first Players of the Week for the 2015 Season.

Offensive Player of the Week: Kyle Clancy – Durham Turfdogs – Clancy dominated last weekend racking up 5 assists and 1 goal leading the Turfdogs victory in the season opener.

Honourable mention goes to Southwest’s Dan Keane. Keane was able to tally 4 goals his CLax debut.

Defensive Player of the Week: Cole Murray – Durham Turfdogs – Murray was rock solid allowing only 4 goals against on 49 shots. He also added an assist for the Turfdogs.

Honourable mention goes to Southwest’s Eric Pitre. Pitre was an aggressor on defence for the Cyclops. He also gained an assist.

Transition Player of the Week: Mark Farthing – Durham Turfdogs – Farthing kicked off the scoring for the season as he pulled away for a breakaway goal just 1:41 into the game.

Honourable mention goes to Barrie’s Mike Mawdsley. Mawdsley was instrumental in the Blizzard’s efforts for a comeback. He managed to get a hat trick and 2 assists.

Rookie of the Week: Dan Keane – Southwest Cyclops – The 1st round pick in the 2014 Entry Draft racked up 4 goals for the Cyclops, and proved why he was so desired in this year’s draft.