The night before the Canadian Lacrosse League finals, Paul St John said his plans for the weekend were, “watch and enjoy the game, spend Sunday with my family. I might take Monday off, but then we’re back to work.” Truly, ever since we last checked in with CLax and saw the Ohsweken Demons hoist the Creator’s Cup, the commissioner and his office have been hard at work planning the 2013 season. The biggest issues, as they were in their inaugural season, were ownership and investors.
The league was determined to start play in 2012, and their hand was forced with a few teams backing away from the table prior to the season. The moves pushed the season start into January, but, despite the speed bumps, the season was still a success. The league released a schedule consisting of six teams operating out of three venues: the Ohsweken Demons and Iroquois Ironmen sharing the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, the Peel Avengers and Brampton Inferno sharing the Powerade Center and the Oshawa Machine and the Durham Turfdogs sharing the GM Center.
As the focus shifts to piecing together a 2013 league, the league announced through their Facebook page, and was confirmed in conversation with a member of their front office, plans are to have teams in 2013 playing out of Barrie, Oakville, and St Catharines joining the already existing clubs in Brampton, Oshawa and Iroquois/Ohsweken. In addition there is a possibility of teams in Kahnawake, Akwesasne and Ottawa. The league said the plan is to hopefully have one team per venue (everywhere except Iroquois), which would mean one of the Brampton and Durham teams would be up for relocation to these new markets.
Earlier in the off-season a development clinic was held in Cobourg, presumably to showcase the brand and gauge interest. It is somewhat surprising this city is not on the list. Also, there was strong consideration in Montreal, so their absence is somewhat surprising. Barrie has always been in talks since the beginning so their name is not a surprise, neither is St Catharines, both of which have traditionally been great lacrosse communities. Oakville stands out as one that is obvious, but still surprising. Oakville’s minor lacrosse product is massive, and many pro players live in and around the Oakville area. Not to mention, there is a brand new facility (Toronto Rock practice facility) being built to host lacrosse year round. The facility is scheduled to be opened in late 2012, or mere weeks prior to the 2013 CLax season.
Given where these prospective teams are situated, it would make sense for the league to implement a division structure. Ottawa, Kahnawake and Akwesasne would comprise an Eastern branch; Durham/Oshawa, Peel/Brampton, and Barrie could work as a central division, but would require the most travel; Iroquois/Ohsweken, Oakville and St Catharines would comprise the Western division.
It all sets up Paul St John’s original vision to have divisions and conferences across the entire country. To think that they already have a season under their belt and a Champion crowned, it’s been a year of success for CLax. With the possibility of more teams joining the league, it can only make for even more exciting lacrosse in the winter.
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In other CLax news, InLacrosseWeTrust player blogger, and Durham Turfdog star, Brandon Turner tweeted earlier this week that he suffered a concussion that has ended his playing career. Turner was playing for the Brooklin Merchants of the Sr B circuit this summer and planned to return to CLax. Turner said he would look to continue coaching, as he is involved with the Toronto Beaches organization, and possibly step off the floor and into the broadcast booth. Either way, far too many players are being lost to concussions and the game has lost another great player and personality.
All of us at ILWT wish Brandon the best of luck wherever his future takes him.
