*An earlier version of this article was published on January 28, but was pulled at the author’s request for editing and clarification.
Major Series Lacrosse announced on January 25 that they have approved the move of the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks to Cobourg, Ontario, in time for the 2016 season. A press conference was held on February 1 at the Cobourg Community Centre to introduce the organization to the community.
The move gives the MSL three teams in close proximity, with Peterborough and Brooklin both natural rivals for the Kodiaks. Cobourg is about 45 minutes from each.
“We’re excited about the rivalry we’re going to have with Peterborough and Brooklin. Three teams east of the GTA and very close proximity geographically. With the Lakers especially, they have such a history and we’re excited to establish a rivalry with them,” Kodiaks owner John Webb told Peterborough’s CHEX Newswatch on Monday.
The Kodiaks have been in the MSL since 2006 and originally drew well but fan support in KW has been nearly non-existent in the last few years, a common theme in other centres as well. For the league to remain viable, teams have to draw in regular crowds. Six Nations and Brooklin have consistent support but Brampton and Oakville don’t draw well, with Oakville barely hosting over 100 fans a game last season. The Rock moved from Ajax in 2012 where support was also limited. Peterborough, with a 4000 seat arena, consistently draws an average of 3000 fans a game.
In 2014 and 2015 KW gave up one home game as the league tested out new markets, first in Kingston, and then Cobourg.
Peterborough Lakers General Manager Paul Day said the move “is sad in one way because KW had a great following a few years ago, but I understand the move and hope it works out. [Cobourg has] a great rink and when we played there last year they had a great vibe.”
Last year’s event as part of the Nemesis Clash tournament drew 1629 fans, with many driving from Peterborough to support the Lakers. It was half of what the Lakers normally draw but in only a 2000 seat arena, the barn was full. And a full arena is a place where players want to be.
The Lakers have long been the ideal franchise in the MSL. Five Mann Cups since 2004 has enamoured the city with their boys of summer, and watching them has always been a treat because they feature mostly local talent. Peterborough is so blessed with a thriving junior system that graduating players have sometimes found it hard to stick with the senior team. A lot of younger players have suited up for the Sr. B Ennismore James Gang in recent years to get playing time.
No doubt Cobourg’s owners are already aware of this. Their location alone gives them an immediate advantage.
Plenty of Lakers fans who drive in from Cobourg or Port Hope every week now have two teams to choose between. The Kodiaks will have a built in lacrosse fanbase, but Peterborough has loud fans that will try to out cheer Cobourg fans in the first few seasons during rivalry games.
Day says the addition of a team close by will be a boost to the Lakers.
“I hope we bring more people into the Memorial Centre as a result of this,” he said. “People in the Coburg area may watch on Sundays and feel one game is not enough and come down the highway to Peterborough to see the Lakeshow and enjoy the best show on turf.”
That is true. Diehard lacrosse fans will do this, and there are a lot of them in the Peterborough area. The addition of Cobourg as an MSL site also opens up the league to fans in the Eastern part of the province.
For the players who work so hard, a second strong team in the area can only be a bonus. The Lakers though will have to be careful not to lose too much good local talent. A second option for local players to be close to home gives more guys an opportunity to further their careers.
“Competition is great for the Lakers and fans,” Day stated. “The MSL is going to be very strong and some players will get a chance to play in Cobourg from our area. This is a good chance for players to take the next step.”
Day isn’t concerned that players will ever choose Cobourg over Peterborough if there is a spot guaranteed for them on the Lakers.
“Our Jr A team is one of the best in the country and those players will remain ours moving forward,” he said.
Wednesday morning the Lakers announced they had traded forward Matt Crough and defenseman Pete Rennie, both local players (along with Dylan Goddard, whose rights they had only just acquired) to Cobourg for righty forward Joel Matthews.
Although initially shocked, acceptance has set in for both players and they’re looking forward to a better opportunity with the Kodiaks.
“I’m feeling good about the trade,” Crough said. “It’ll be nice to get out on the floor and see the ball a few times rather than just being a space creator who gets one or two shots a game.”
Both Rennie and Crough are young players who were often overshadowed by older, more experienced players on the Lakers. NLL time isn’t out of the question for either of them, with Rennie on the New England Black Wolves practice roster, as was Crough in 2015. They’re both having standout seasons with CLAX’s Durham Turfdogs team and should be two of the better players on the Kodiaks roster.
Recent draft picks Adam Bomberry and Seth Oakes, both from Akwasasne, will be more likely to make the shorter drive to Cobourg than KW. The move to Cobourg actually opens up the whole eastern part of Ontario for lacrosse players looking to play at a higher level.
“This year may be the most competitive season of [Major Series Lacrosse] in years,” Day said. “It will only make [the Lakers] better and give the fans an experience that much more enjoyable.”
