Brooklin Lacrosse Club Announces Coaching Changes

Brooklin Lacrosse Club Decides on Coaching Changes

By Mark Stehlin

As one of his first orders of business, Will Petschenig, the club’s newly named General Manager, decided it was time for a coaching change to prepare for the 2027 regular season. After three seasons behind the bench, head coach Joel Johnson and his two assistants Brad Reed and Clancy Almas were relieved of their duties.

“It's never easy making changes, especially when you are talking about Joel, Brad and Clancy. All three guys are top quality people who I respect a ton. They were a passionate group of coaches and weren't given a very strong commitment from the players. It's tough to coach a team with players who are half in and half out. At the end of the day, the culture has to change, we want players who want to play for us, who want to win, and I believe that the core needs a new voice. We are incredibly thankful for Joel, Brad and Clancy’s time with our organization and everything that they have sacrificed to help the BLC. We wish them the best of luck in any future endeavours,” said Petschenig.

The trio were introduced as coaches for the 2024 season, soon after Jason Crosbie stepped away. In their first year together, they were named the Major Series Lacrosse Coaches of the Year winning nine games in that 12-game regular season, good for second place overall. In 2025, they won 11 of 18 games and ended in third place. In both of those seasons, the team lost out in the playoffs at the hands of the Peterborough Lakers.

The 2026 season was a disappointment as they finished with a record of 10-8 just outside of a playoff position. This was despite a convincing 14-1 win over the Oakville Rock in their final regular season game.

Petschenig will announce his choice for a new bench boss in the coming weeks.