Will Petschenig Appointed New Brooklin Lacrosse Club GM

By Mark Stehlin

The Brooklin Lacrosse Club and the Brooklin Merchants are excited to announce Will Petschenig as their new General Manager (GM). The lacrosse community will know Will’s name as he has an extensive lacrosse resume including Peterborough Lakers Jr A and Sr A draft pick, Clarington Green Gaels captain, Nepean Jr B coach, Green Gaels coach, Oakville Jr A coach and Kitchener Jr A coach. Will is also the General Manager of the Whitby Steelhawks of the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) and was on the bench this past summer with the Jr A Whitby Warriors.  Petschenig was also an assistant GM with BLC in recent times.

When Gavin Prout indicated his decision to step back it was important for BLC to select a replacement that knew the organization and had familiarity with both current players and those graduating from the junior ranks.

“After informing that he was stepping away from the GM role for Brooklin, Gavin’s immediate and only recommendation was for Will to take the position. That recommendation alone is worth an awful lot. It didn’t hurt that Mike Gray and Eric Perroni (former players with the Brooklin Redmen and long-serving members of the BLC executive) were also quick to support Will’s appointment,” said club president Dean Link.

“When we look at Will’s involvement in lacrosse it is impressive. From his playing days at the junior level (prior to his European hockey career) to coaching junior, to being a GM and coach in the ALL, and player scout with the New York Riptide/Ottawa Black Bears in the National Lacrosse League he has accomplished a great deal. In addition to all of that, he performed behind the scenes as Asst GM for Gavin these last three years, I think Will is a perfect fit for the Brooklin GM role,” added Link.

“At his young age, he’s also in a unique position where he played Junior with some of the older players in our league and he also coached Junior, so he is in tune with the players. And now he’ll take on the learning curve of GM for both Brooklin clubs. I have full faith in his ability, and Gavin has reiterated several times that he’ll be available to assist throughout the transition.  With respect to the roster, Will has been left in a great position and I’m genuinely excited to see how he builds his vision for the clubs. I  addition, Geoff Kent will continue in his role as Asst GM, which will be a great benefit during the turnover, “ said Link.

The BLC have built a legacy in the province and country. The club have been working hard to put teams on the floor that can do well in their respective leagues and win national championships.  

“Opportunities like these don't come up often and when you look at the history of the Brooklin Lacrosse Club, it makes it even more special to have this responsibility. When you look at the names that have come through this organization, the current players and people involved with both clubs, and then the future of the BLC and the Brooklin Merchants, it's extremely exciting to be part of this family. I have followed the team extremely close over the last 10 years and to see what Brad and Gavin have done to build both teams into what they are today, it is something I look forward to continuing and trying to help the teams to their goals of a Mann Cup and Presidents Cup,” said Petschenig in his first formal statement as the club’s new GM.

“Some people outside of the Durham Region lacrosse community may not know who I am, but several of the current players and staff have been around me on teams that I have played on or coached with. I think those guys know what I bring, and it will be fun to show my passion for the game, my desire to win and building a championship culture. I think I will bring a different approach to both the lacrosse operations and business operations of the club. My goal is to not only win championships, but it is to grow the game, have Iroquois Park Sports Centre full of fans on game days and make BLC and the Merchants stronger,” added Petschenig.

“The initial plans for the team is to get player feedback on what they like about the organization and what can be improved. My job is to put the best teams on the floor to win, but there are several things that play a crucial part in that. When you look back at the 2000 Mann Cup Brooklin Redmen championship team, it was filled with youth, players who wanted to win and players who took pride in playing for the team and their community. I think it's no secret that Brooklin has a very deep talent pool and long list of great players who have the capability of winning championships. My plan is to surround them with the right teammates, the right coaching staff and make sure the culture is where it needs to be to win. I plan on surrounding myself with a support staff who are passionate to not only win but know what it takes to be successful,” said Petschenig.

The work to prepare for the 2027 season has commenced.  The club executive will lay out a sponsorship plan to secure returning and new community partnerships. The annual general meeting and elections will take place at the end of October. In the early part of 2027, the Major Series Lacrosse entry draft will be held and Petschenig will have a chance to put his stamp on the teams.