2023 Presidents Cup - Meet The Teams
THE TEAMS
SNAKE ISLAND MUSKIES (TNSLL CHAMPIONS)
The Snake Island Muskies are coming into the Prezzy after upsetting the Akwesasne Bucks in 7 games to win the TNSLL title.
This Muskies squad is a veteran group, highlighted by Stephen Keogh and Nick Damude.
Keogh plays for the Toronto Rock in the NLL. His physical gritty style of game will be tough for teams to keep in check. Nick Damude is a goaltender playing for the Panther City Lacrosse Club in the NLL. He will look to keep the Muskies in games at the Presidents Cup.
SIX NATIONS RIVERMEN (OSL RUNNER-UP)
Another year, another appearance at the Presidents Cup for the Six Nations Rivermen. They enter the Prezzy after falling to the Oakville Rock in three games in the OSL final. Last year, they finished 3rd and are looking to make it to the final this go-round. The Rivermen are a tough physical team led by leading scorer Layne Smith who finished the year with 29 goals, 33 helpers and 62 points. Dalton Sulver will help anchor offence after winning the NLL Championship with the Buffalo Bandits
OAKVILLE ROCK (HOST/OSL CHAMPIONS)
Host with the most! That’s right the Oakville Rock get set to host their first ever Presidents Cup right here at the TRAC in Oakville. They’re coming into the tournament after defeating the Six Nations Rivermen in the OSL final. This roster is very deep. Leading the way for the Rock is OSL Triple Crown Winner Ryan Lanchbury. Lanchbury tore up the OSL with 36 goals, 51 assists and 87 points, three were tops in the league. Oakville also has two other offensive weapons in the Georgia Swarm’s Andrew Kew and the Toronto Rock’s Josh Dawick. Last but certainty not least the Oakville Rock have one of the best stoppers in the world in Toronto Rock goalie Nick Rose. Rosey finished the OSL season with a spotless 8-0 record and a 7.59 GAA, he will look to backstop Oakville to a Presidents Cup victory.
LADNER PIONEERS (WCSLA CHAMPIONS)
The Ladner Pioneers are once again the favourites coming into the Prezzy, after winning last year, they’re back and hungry for more.
After destroying the West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association, Ladner is heading in with a roster that’s built to win. They’re super deep with tons of NLLers, Leading the way for Pioneers are forwards Tyler Pace and Ryan Benesch. Pace who plays for the Calgary Roughnecks in the NLL hit 100 points in just 14 games. The biggest key for the Pioneers to repeat is Calgary Roughnecks’ goalie Christian Del Bianco, who is fresh of collecting NLL MVP and Goalie of the Year honours. Del Bianco is one of the best goalies on the planet, he’s a great passer, very fast, and athletic. He finished the year with a 9-0 record, 5.34 GAA and a 824 SV%. If Ladner is going to repeat as champion, they will need CDB to be on his ‘A’ game.
KAHNAWAKE MOHAWKS (QSLL REPRESENTATIVE)
The Kahnawake Mohawks start their journey for the Presidents Cup on August 27. They are led by the dynamic offensive weapon that goes by the name of Rob Hellyer. Hellyer plays for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs in the NLL and he’s a goal scorer that can turn the tide of any game. Accompanying Hellyer on offence is Jake Fox of the Albany FireWolves in the NLL.
The Mohawks will look to this duo up front to pave the way towards a run at the Prezzy.
TUSCARORA TOMAHAWKS (CAN-AM CHAMPIONS)
The Underdog story at this year’s Presidents is the Tuscarora Tomahawks. This is the first time in 25 years that they will compete for the Presidents Cup. They finished the regular season with a 5-11 record, but in the playoffs caught lightning in a bottle going 8-3 to capture the Can-Am Lacrosse League Championship. The Tomahawks are led by leading scoring Anthony Patterson. Patterson can put the ball in the net and help set up his teammates. Helping Patterson on offence is Hunter Lemieux, a name that will be familiar to Oakville Rock fans having played for them the pervious season.
EDMONTON MINERS (RMSLL CHAMPIONS)
The Edmonton Miners Lacrosse Club will look to keep opposing teams on a rocky cliff on their path to the Prezzy.
They’re coming into the Presidents Cup hot, after not dropping a game in the RMLL playoffs going 6-0. Paving the way for the Miners is a two-man wrecking crew up front, Mike Triolo and Matthew Kristiansen. These two combined for 61 goals, 60 assists for 121 points, they’re not to be taken lightly at this year’s tournament, or the ball will be in the back of your net.
