Brooklin Lacrosse Club 2026 Season Preview

By Mark Stehlin

It’s the dawn of another summer campaign for the Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC). The excitement continues to grow ahead of the May 27th, 2026 home opener  when the Cobourg Kodiaks make a visit to Iroquois Park Sports Centre.  

This winter, in the National Lacrosse League, the Oshawa FireWolves landed from Albany to their new home at the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC). Fans flocked to the TCC and the club witnessed incredible ticket sales for their inaugural season. The BLC has made inroads to this new Oshawa fan base to alert them to the fact that the same players they are cheering for at the TCC will be in BLC uniforms mere minutes to the west in Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) action at Iroquois Park Sports Centre. 

BLC finished the 2025 regular season with an 11-5-2 record, good for third place in MSL. They met their long-time rivals, Peterborough Lakers in a best of seven semi-final series.  The teams met for the deciding seventh game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. In a strange and controversial twist, goaltender Zach Higgins was assessed an illegal equipment infraction that resulted in a Lakers power play in overtime which they capitalized on for the win. 

The 2025 team featured three players in the top-ten of league scoring. Sean Westley ended the season in second overall with 23 goals, 36 assists for 59 points. In eighth, Connor Kearnan in only 10 games notched 14 goals, and added 33 assists for 47 points. Finally, rookie Will MacLeod ended up in 10th overall with 19 goals, 23 assists for 43 points. 

BLC fans and players will see a new face behind the bench this season. General Manager, Gavin Prout announced that Steve Jacobs will join head coach Joel Johnson and assistants Brad Reed and Clancy Almas in an assistant role this summer.

Jacobs is no stranger to the turf at Iroquois Park Sports Centre.  He was on the coaching staff of the 2025 Presidents Cup winning , Snake Island Muskies.  He was also part of the 1995 Presidents Cup champions Akwesasne Thunder squad. He is an accomplished player in his own right.  In 1982, he was on the Akwesasne Warriors Sr B team as a teenager and was in the top 10 of scoring leaders.  In 1983, he was a Founders Cup bronze medalist with the Jr Eagles. He also suited up for a short spell in 1988 with the Peterborough Lakers.

The MSL 2026 entry draft occurred on Saturday January 24, 2026. Prior to the draft, all seven teams in MSL were permitted to protect up to four graduating juniors from their centres. BLC General Manager, Gavin Prout protected four members of the Whitby Warriors Junior A squad; Lucas Littlejohn, Owen Tapper, Jack Oldman and Ben Kromer.

- photo c/o Ray MacAloney 

“It was clear to us that Lucas’ stats and leadership speaks for itself. Last season, he led the Junior A league in regular season points (20 games, 49 goals, 69 assists for 118 points, 18 points ahead of Justin Tavares in second). Lucas also led the University of Richmond in points last year. He is an amazing athlete, extremely smart lacrosse player and a consummate professional at his young age. Lucas has helped us in the past as an underage affiliated player and I am looking forward to seeing him continue to improve with the BLC,” added Prout of his decision to protect Littlejohn.

- photo c/o Ray MacAloney 

“Jack Oldman is the best faceoff guy coming out of Jr A. We have had our eyes on him for many years now watching him perfect his craft and believe he can also dominate at the Sr A level with BLC. Not only can he win face offs however he can play defense and transition the ball extremely well,” added Prout.

- photo c/o Ray MacAloney 

“Owen Tapper was arguably the best 2-way player on Whitby last year. His ability to play both ends of the floor gives him an advantage and allows him to use his speed in transition. Owen has also helped us a few times in the past as an underage affiliate and did not look out of place at all,” said Prout of his decision to protect Tapper.

- photo c/o Ray MacAloney 

“Ben Kromer is a big athletic defenseman who was drafted to Philadelphia this year and is currently learning on their practice roster. At 6’4” and 205 lbs. we have another big athletic defender to add to our arsenal this year,” said Prout.

“Although these were our four protected graduating Juniors there were so many great players coming out of Whitby I wish we could have protected them all!  I think all the graduating Warriors will have a successful and long tenure in this league when given the chance,” said Prout.

BLC executive members, coaches and managers gathered with the other six teams in MSL for the 2026 entry draft. The selections took place over five rounds with seven players chosen per round. BLC selected eight players in total.

Learn about each of our picks in the words of General Manager, Gavin Prout and Head Coach, Joel Johnson. 

Elijah Edwards - 1st Round 5th Overall Selection

 “Smart, skilled and athletic defender with the ability to play in transition.   Elijah is an Orangeville Jr A  graduate and was a workhorse on their defensive end.  Elijah also attends Robert Morris University as many of our BLC players have attended there as well.”

Thomas Kiazyk – 1st Round 7th Overall Selection

“A member of the Saskatchewan Rush in the NLL, a Minto Cup winner with the Burlington Blaze, and a Founders Cup Champion with the Nepean Knights.   Thomas is a generational goaltender who has a bright future as professional.   He’s proven his ability as an elite goaltender, and we are excited to add him to the BLC family.”  

Ethan Lee – 2nd Round 10th Overall

“A local talent, exceptional skill and athleticism.   A very strong defender offers a boost in transition.   Ethan is very smart and will fit in to our defensive group nicely.  A hometown talent, and we are thrilled to have him as part of the organization.   His skill, abilities and size will make him a standout player as he develops into the professional level.”

Ryan Langille

“A big, strong and hard working left-handed offensive player.   Another member of our hometown Whitby Warrior Jr A program.  Ryan offers size and grit on our left side offensively, and his skill and athleticism along with his work ethic will be an asset to the BLC organization.”

Hawi Francis – 2nd Round 14th Overall

“Big,  strong, talented offensive lefty.   A Founders Cup Champion with the Kahnawake Hunters last summer.  Hawi has all the tools to become a professional, and we are excited to have added him to the BLC family.   He has a great ability to score, adds toughness and grit to our talented offensive group. “ 

Keaton Zavitz – 3rd Round 19th Overall

“I first coached Keaton in Winnipeg with Canada, where we won gold together. Keaton was one of the fastest players in the tournament which showed both his defensive, transition and offensive  He is effective both with the ball and without.  He has a very high lacrosse IQ and works extremely hard.   He will fit in very well into the future of the BLC, and we are thrilled to have him as part of the organization.   We think Keaton will continue to elevate his game, and his future is bright as he transitions from Jr to Sr and prepares for the NLL.”

Jaden Ciappara

“Jaden was the captain of the Orangeville Jr A lacrosse club in 2025.  His high lacrosse IQ, work ethic, and skill will be an asset to the organization.  He is highly respected amongst his teammates, and although he is not the biggest player on the floor his speed, his aggressive and hard-working style of play will fit in well with the culture of the BLC.  He continues to elevate his game, and we think he has a bright future within our organization.”

Riley Knox

“Riley is a big, strong and gritty offensive player.   We like his inside game going to the dirty areas and playing with and without the ball.   His familiarity and time with the Whitby Warriors has him included in a group of graduates from the area that have played a lot of lacrosse together.  We think the style of play that Riley possesses fits well into the future of this team, and that his skill is an asset to the organization.”

“I’m excited to get back to work.  This will be our third year as coaches with the club and we have been making some great steps forward,” said head coach Joel Johnson.

“Sure, we have lost a couple of key pieces for this season, but this team has a deep talent pool and Gavin has been working hard to get some of the important players in place. I see an incredible opportunity with this team and not only am I optimistic, but I am confident with this group that we can have a great season. With the addition of Steve (Jacobs) and a commitment from the organization we have all the bases covered to achieve success,” added Johnson.

BLC will start the summer campaign with a pair of road games; Thursday May 21, 2026 at 8 pm at the Brampton Memorial Arena for a date with the Excelsiors. This will be followed by a trip to the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on Tuesday May 26, 2026 at 8 pm to meet the defending Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs. The home opener is set for Wednesday May 27, 2026 at 8 pm as the Cobourg Kodiaks are in town.

Fans will also want to circle Saturday June 27, 2026 on their calendars.  That is the annual Scott McMichael Minor Lacrosse Night. The Brooklin Merchants will face the Six Nations Rivermen at 4 p.m. BLC will take on the Chiefs at 8 p.m.