Players relieved after NLL dispute resolved
Paul Day head coach/GM of expansion Philadelphia Wings; Turner Evans will play with expansion San Diego Seals
There may be no one more relieved the National Lacrosse League labour dispute is over than those involved with their two expansion teams.
Peterborough native and Lakers player Turner Evans was the first-round draft pick of the San Diego Seals in the NLL expansion draft from the Toronto Rock. Peterborough native and Lakers GM Paul Day is head coach/GM of the expansion Philadelphia Wings.
It would have been tough on both organizations had the NLL season been postponed further or cancelled.
The league cancelled the opening two weeks of the season prior to the league and Professional Lacrosse Players Association (PLPA) coming to a five-year agreement on Friday that was ratified by players on Saturday.
“There was some uncertainty there for a bit about whether we were going to have a year or not,” Evans said.
“It’s definitely exciting now to know we are going to be starting the season. I’ll be heading out to San Diego on Thursday to get to the arena for the first time. I’m excited for that.”
Evans sees this as an opportunity to make a greater role for himself than he had yet achieved in Toronto, partially due to injuries.
“You can look at it almost as a fresh start with a fresh team,” he said. “It will be the first year San Diego has a professional lacrosse team so I think it will be pretty cool to be a part of their inaugural season bringing professional lacrosse to California.”
Evans said the players’ biggest concern in negotiations was ensuring they shared revenues as the league expands.
It is growing from nine to 11 teams this year and rumours persist of two new entries for 2019-20.
“We wanted some language in the CBA which allows us to grow with the league and not get the short end of the stick that way,” he said.
Day would have preferred five weeks to prepare a team for the season than the two weeks he’s facing.
“We still get two full weekends but in an ideal world we’d love to have more,” Day said.
“Our home opener is Dec. 15. Today I’ve had to release six players we would have brought to camp to try out but we really don’t have time now for guys with limited experience to try out.”
Day said both sides were working hard to get a deal done so he was confident it would happen.
“The ownership group that has kept the league alive is stronger than ever and supported by NHL and NBA teams and we’re bringing in better ownership every time,” he said.
“It’s a good deal for both sides and I think it’s really going to elevate the league to the next level.”
Lakers captain and Colorado Mammoth defender Robert Hope said it’s a relief for all the players.
“This was my first CBA negotiations,” Hope said. “There are a lot of hours that go into it by our amazing player reps. Dan Coates in Colorado did an amazing job keeping everyone aware and Corey Small (Vancouver Stealth rep) did an awesome job with our Lakers group keeping us on the same page and united.
“The deal looks good for both sides and, hopefully, we can continue to grow the league. I’m excited and relieved to know we have a date set and we’re ready to go. I’m looking forward to getting back on the floor.”
Training camps are set to open this weekend. The league is working on a revised schedule.
NOTE: Peterborough Lakers goalie Matt Vinc has a new National Lacrosse League team. See Page C2.