Lakers’ Hoggarth takes Mann Cup home
One of the great things about winning a major sports title is the opportunity to take the championship trophy back home.
For Peterborough Century 21 Lakers’ transition player Thomas Hoggarth that home is Curve Lake First Nation.
On Sunday, Hoggarth took the Mann Cup to the annual Curve Lake Pow Wow to share it with his community.
The Lakers four-game sweep of the Maple Ridge Burrards provided him the opportunity to take the trophy to the Pow Wow. Last year, when they won the Mann Cup in New Westminster, B.C. in six games, Hoggarth said the Pow Wow was over by the time he got home.
“I grew up there so it’s good to give back to the community,” said Hoggarth, 22. “I’ve had support from Curve Lake people since I was young playing hockey and lacrosse. I felt it was a good opportunity for me to say thank you.”
Hoggarth played all his minor lacrosse in Peterborough but the sport was first played by North America’s indigenous people and is strongly engrained in their culture.
“Growing up I was taught it is the Creator’s game,” he said. “It is like medicine to our people.”
Hoggarth’s father Peter is from Curve Lake and his mother Mary-Anne was born in the Northwest Territories but grew up in Lakefield. They met at Lakefield District Secondary School. Thomas also played his minor hockey in Peterborough but said each March Break he represented Curve Lake in the Little NHL (Native Hockey League) Tournament.
His first exposure to the Lakers came as their ball boy alongside long-time friend and lacrosse teammate Cam Milligan.
“When they won it in ’06 me and Milly were ball boys for them. I remember growing up watching them win the Mann Cup that year not really knowing what it was until I grew up a bit,” he said. “I always wanted to be (a Laker) but I didn’t really think about it until last year and it was like, OK, I’m actually playing for them now.”
From the moment he arrived, Hoggarth has held down a regular spot in the lineup. He’s a quick runner who can contribute at both ends of the floor and is strong on loose balls.
“I got the opportunity and just took advantage of it. Growing up through the junior system I think I was just ready when I came up. They prepared me to play for the Peterborough Lakers,” he said.
It was special to win the Mann Cup on their home floor this year, he said.
“Last year we had some people come out but we didn’t have a packed crowd like that. It was crazy. I’ve never heard the Mem Centre so loud before,” he said.