Peterborough Lakers Going Full Steam Ahead For 'Drive for Five'

As the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers prepare for an unprecedented fifth-consecutive Mann Cup title with the ‘Drive for Five,’ the team has made several announcements concerning coaching, roster, a new jersey, opening day and mascot affairs.

Paul Day, lakers General Manager (left) and Jake Withers, defenceman (right) with the new jersey designs for the team. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The announcement was made at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame in the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Saturday.

The coaching staff is being brought back with no changes as head coach Mike Hasen and assistant coaches Tracey Kelusky and Bobby Keast return to the bench.

The championship roster from last year is returning with the exception of goaltender and 2019 Mann Cup MVP Mike Poulin who has retired. Jake Withers and Josh Currier are welcomed back to the lineup as the former was playing in the Premier Lacrosse League and had a no-compete clause enforced on him, prohibiting him from playing in other leagues. The latter was injured.

“It starts with a core group of Peterborough guys and we're able to get Jake Withers back and Josh Currie that didn't play last year,” explained Paul Day, Lakers general manager. “These guys have been important for three of those Mann Cups.”

The Lakers’ home opener is scheduled for June 8 against the Brampton Excelsiors. This is the third game on their schedule as they have two road games prior to their home opener with their first game against the Excelsiors on June 1 and Brooklin L.C. on June 7.

A tailgate party is being scheduled in the PMC parking lot from 5:30 to 7:30. Food and drinks (alcoholic and soft) are available for purchase on-site while The Ilk will be performing live music at the event. All fans are asked to bring non-perishable goods as the Lakers are collecting in support of Kawartha Food Share.

Before faceoff, the Peterborough Pop Ensemble is performing the national anthem and the team will celebrate the banner-raising of Peterborough’s fourth-straight Mann Cup title.

“It's really hard to win one,” said Day. “When they go up there, it's pretty special. I was at home watching the Petes on TSN, you could see all our banners on there so it's pretty special for everybody in this city.”

A new jersey has been unveiled for this season. Most notably, the top right corner on the front will have the initials, ‘S.H.’ in memory of equipment manager Steve Hynes. He passed away peacefully at 72 at Hospice Peterborough last month and had served the team for over a decade.

The Lakers mascot Leo the Lion is being retired this year. The decision was to honour Riddick MacHart who wore the costume. He and his family passed away suddenly in a Hwy 7 car accident on Nov. 22. Leo’s last game is on June 22 against the Six Nations Chiefs and a new mascot will be unveiled for that night. Leo served as the face of the Lakers since 2000.

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