A new Hope for Lakers
Robert Hope named new captain as younger Lakers look to continue tradition of contending for the Mann Cup
Robert Hope sat beside Scott Self in the Century 21 Lakers dressing room and learned from the captain.
On Wednesday, the apprenticeship ended as Self, 37, announced his retirement and handed the captain’s C to Hope, 25, during a press conference at the Memorial Centre.
Hope, who joined the Lakers in 2013, bridges two generations of Lakers from veterans like Shawn Evans, Brad Self and Mark Steenhuis, who helped build the team into a perennial contender, to a younger group including the Currier brothers, Turner Evans and Holden Cattoni, who represent the future.
Lakers GM Paul Day said Hope has always been respected in the room but really caught players and coaches attention when he played the 2016 MSL final with a broken hand.
“We’ve got to watch him the last two years in the room and he’s got a great reputation in lacrosse; not only in the senior league but the pro league,” Day said.
“He doesn’t take a lot of penalties on the floor at important times. He’s one of those guys who when we need something important done; like there is a scrum and we need someone pulled out, he takes care of that. He’s real social with his teammates. He’s always making sure everyone is together. We are a pretty young group, we’ll have 10 or 12 guys under 25, and he’ll be 26 this year. He’s a good guy to carry the torch from one generation to the next.”
The fact he can wear the C for another decade adds continuity and consistency, Day said.
“He’s a lot like Scott Self,” he said.
Self has no doubt Hope will do a good job.
“He leads by example,” Self said. “Hopie gives you an honest effort every time he comes to the rink. He’s a great player, a great defenceman but he gives 100 per cent every night. He’s a guy who walks the walk and who the guys respect and who the guys will follow. He’s a really good teammate. He’s a great guy to talk to and he likes to have a good time.”
After growing up watching the Lakers win Mann Cups at the PMC, Hope, who also plays for the NLL’s Colorado Mammoth, said it’s a dream come true to be their captain.
“There are a lot of great leaders in our room and to be picked by this organization is a true honour,” Hope said.
He admits he was surprised, given there are older players in the room, when Day asked him if he’d accept the role.
“There are so many great guys in our room, great leaders and great players who, for sure, are deserving of this,” Hope said.
He realizes he’s got big shoes to fill.
“Scott has been a great leader for this organization,” Hope said. “I got to watch him and then play with him. Since I started playing for the senior A Lakers I’ve sat beside him in the dressing room and I’ve learned a ton from him; the way he carries himself; the way he interacts with the community and his teammates. He shows everyone respect whether it’s an equipment guy or media or whoever it might be. As a captain, hopefully I can be similar to that.”
With Curtis Dickson returning to the Lakers and Kyle Buchanan added through a trade, Hope is excited about the season.
“Our goal every year in Peterborough is to win a Mann Cup,” he said. “It’s been my goal ever since I’ve been a part of this organization and even before while being a fan and a junior A Laker. I think that’s everyone’s goal in our locker room.”
NOTE: See related story on Page B11.