Packing up
Peterborough Petes players reflect on season after exciting playoff run ends in Mississauga.
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers acquired New England Blackwolves 30-goal scorer Kyle Buchanan in a trade with the Brampton Excelsiors, the MSL team announced Thursday.
The Lakers will give up draft picks and future considerations in exchange for the 29-year-old forward.
Buchanan, from Nepean, played three games for the Brooklin Redmen in 2016 before being traded to Brampton, but he did not suit up for the Excelsiors. He has not played in the MSL full-time since 2011. In 2012, he won the senior B President’s Cup with the St. Regis Braves.
What attracted the Lakers to Buchanan was not only his ability to score goals but also his ability to create opportunities for his teammates, said Lakers’ GM Paul Day.
“We have lots of guys who score but we need more off-ball players,” Day said. “Kyle is a great leader who excels without the ball and is a player that gets the offence multiple possessions with his work for loose balls.”
Buchanan currently plays for the NLL’s Blackwolves alongside Lakers teammates Chad Culp, Evan Kirk and 2016 MVP Shawn Evans. He’s not the biggest guy on the floor at five-foot-eight, 165 pounds but Buchanan has 30 goals and 35 assists and is fourth on the Blackwolves in scoring. He’s scored at least 59 points in his last four NLL seasons.
“I’m excited to go to an organization that year after year has a chance at the Mann Cup,” Buchanan stated, in a Lakers’ press release. “There are a lot of familiar faces on the team. I’ve been with Evans for a couple of years in New England and we have a good relationship on and off the floor and that will help us be successful. Evans has a pedigree for winning.”
Buchanan was drafted to the junior A Lakers and played a few games for them in 2004, but he’s looking forward to seeing the crowds at the senior games.
“I’ve been on the opposite side. I know how jammed it is with people that know and respect the game. I’m super excited to get in front of that crowd and contribute to bringing a Mann Cup to Peterborough.”
Lakers’ assistant coach Tracey Kelusky coaches Buchanan in New England and is familiar with what he can bring to the Lakers.
“Kyle is a huge pick up for us,” Kelusky said. “He’s a gritty player who makes everyone around him better by not only contributing in points but equally importantly by gaining possessions and helping the overall motion of our offence. He has a very high lacrosse IQ and adds a valuable piece to our group.”
The trade is pending league approval.
NOTES: The Lakers want to remind fans the deadline for renewing season tickets is Friday ... Starting Monday new season ticket buyers will be able to choose any seat that has not been renewed or reserved ... Tickets are available at the Memorial Centre box office or by calling 705-743-3561.