Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Inductees
2022 Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee Press Release
New Westminster, BC – The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame is proud to announce its 2022 class of ten inductees, which include six Players Rich Catton, Blane Harrison, Trish Nicholson, Josh Sanderson, Troyhann Santos and Kaleb Toth; and, three Builders Rey Comeault, Doug Luey and Joanne Stanga; and one Official Bill Fox.
These new inductees bring the total number honoured in lacrosse's national shrine to 560 – 165 Builders, 339 Players and 56 Veterans (those who played in 1985 or before) and one in the Official Category (prior to this year officials were inducted in the Builder Category). There are also 24 teams inducted under the Team category.
The formal induction banquet and ceremonies are scheduled for November
Honoured in the Player Category
Rich Catton
Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Rich Catton had a stellar lacrosse career including playing four seasons for the New Westminster Junior “A” Salmonbellies. His Senior career saw him suit up for Vancouver, Surrey, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Victoria and Coquitlam. Rich Catton played for the Mann Cup Champion Victoria Shamrocks in 2005. Among his numerous personal accolades, he was awarded Best Defensive Player with the Junior Salmonbellies in 1992; WLA Best Defensive Player with Maple Ridge in 1996; Selected to the WLA First All-Star team in 1996; Voted to the WLA Second All-Star team in 2003; Winner of the Wayne Goss Leadership Award in 2004; Selected as the WLA Unsung Hero Award in 2006. In addition, Rich played on Team Canada, winners of the Gold Medal in the World Indoor Championships in 2003. Rich also played with four teams during eleven seasons in the NLL which included winning an NLL Champions Cup with the Colorado Mammoth in 2006. Rich Catton was known for being an exceptionally reliable defensive player – the type of player any team would relish having on their roster.
Blane Harrison
Blane Harrison grew up in Whitby, Ontario. Known for his stellar defensive abilities, which he complemented with offensive skills. Blane played four seasons of Junior “A” with Whitby (Minto Cup finalists in 1977 and 1978). Blane made the OLA Junior “A” All-Star team twice (1978, 1979). On offence, he accumulated 140 points (including 59 goals) in 99 games. During his one season of Senior “B” with Kitchener, Blane was winner of the Most Valuable Defenseman Award.
Moving up to Senior “A” lacrosse, Blane Harrison won the Merv McKenzie Trophy as the Most Valuable Defenseman three times (1980, 1983, 1989). He showed his offensive skills in Senior tallying 342 points (including 193 goals) in 180 games. Of note, Blane was on two Mann Cup championship teams (1987, 1988).
Harrison’s skills were not limited to box lacrosse. He attended Michigan State University and was an All-Midwest Midfielder in 1983. He was also a member of the Canadian Field Lacrosse Team in 1982 (Bronze medal) and 1986 (Silver medal). In an era when players played both ways, Blane Harrison excelled on offence as a scoring threat and on defense with his superb skills.
Trish Nicholson
Trish Nicholson has been involved in various sports her entire life. Her lacrosse career began when she played peewee level box lacrosse with the Richmond Roadrunners Minor Box Lacrosse. She played with White Rock and Coquitlam in subsequent seasons. Beginning in 1983, she joined the B.C. Selects Women’s Field Lacrosse Team – a team inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2014. This team won eleven consecutive National championships. Trish also played for the Canadian National Women’s Field Lacrosse Team in 1986 and 1989.
During her four decades as a lacrosse player, Trish has played for numerous teams in both field and box lacrosse. Since 2000, she has played with the Richmond Men’s Field Lacrosse (Masters) Team, the Richmond Men’s Box (Masters) Lacrosse Team, Richmond Women’s Box Lacrosse Team, Delta Islanders Women’s Box Lacrosse Team, Vancouver Burrards Women’s Box Lacrosse Team and the Burnaby Burrards Women’s Box Lacrosse Team. Trish Nicholson’s longevity and accomplishments as a player in the sport of lacrosse is an exceptional feat.
Josh Sanderson
Born in Orangeville, Ontario - nicknamed “Shooter” - Josh Sanderson is a gifted playmaker and goal scorer. He was the OLA Junior “A” Rookie of the Year in 1994; the MVP in 1996; he led the league in scoring in 1996 and 1998. As a member of the Orangeville Northmen, Josh won three Minto Cups (1993, 1995, 1996). His all-time points in OLA Junior “A” were 255 goals and 274 assists.
Moving up to play Senior lacrosse with the Brampton Excelsiors, Josh won three Mann Cup championships (2002, 2008, 2009). Josh was the Mann Cup MVP in 2002. In Major Series lacrosse he totalled 321 goals and 539 assists. Josh was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2021.
Over 20 seasons in the NLL, Josh Sanderson won the Champions Cup in 2005 and 2009. When he retired, he was the fourth highest scorer in NLL history having scored 482 goals along with 972 assists for a total of 1454 points in 290 games. Josh Sanderson was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame in 2016.
Troyhann Santos
Although born in Ajax, Ontario -Troyhann considers Whitby home. Her distinguished lacrosse career has reached four decades. As a 12-year-old, Troyhann competed with boys in box lacrosse in the Whitby Minor Lacrosse Association. From there, she has excelled at the highest levels of field lacrosse. In 1984, Troyhann began playing for Team Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse Team - playing on ten provincial teams winning 3 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals at the National championships.
Troyhann became the second Canadian woman in history to be awarded a lacrosse scholarship by an American school, choosing to attend James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, playing Division 1 in the NCAA. She garnered All-South Second Team honours in 1992 and All-South First Team honours in 1993.
In 1993, Troyhann began playing for Team Canada. Over the next twelve years she competed in 3 more World Cups (1997, 2001, 2005). In total, Troyhann played in 4 World Cups. She represented Canada a 5th time participating in the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
Troyhann was inducted into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. She has also been inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2016.
Kaleb Toth
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Kaleb Toth played his minor lacrosse in Calgary. Toth played two seasons of Junior “A” with the Burnaby Lakers of the BCLA winning a Minto Cup in 1998. Over two seasons with the Lakers, Kaleb Toth netted 118 goals, added 111 assists for a total of 229 points in 52 games.
Kaleb began his WLA career in 1999 with the Victoria Shamrocks where he was a member of Mann Cup championship team. In addition, Toth was awarded both Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player in the 1999 season.
After four seasons with Victoria, Kaleb Toth played seven seasons with Nanaimo. During his 11 seasons of WLA lacrosse, Kaleb played 162 games, scoring 281 goals, along with 365 assists for a total of 544 points. Throughout his career, he was reputed to have one of the hardest shots in the WLA.
Along with his WLA career, Kaleb played thirteen seasons in the NLL (two with the Toronto Rock and eleven with the Calgary Roughnecks) tallying 744 points in 194 games. Toth played on the NLL Champions Cup team in 2000, 2004 and 2009.
Honoured in the Builder Category
Reynold Comeault
With over a quarter of century of commitment, Reynold Comeault is well known as a builder and a mainstay of both box and field lacrosse in British Columbia. He has been involved at all levels of lacrosse from minor lacrosse in Maple Ridge up to the Senior level (including two WLA championship teams – 2016 and 2018). Rey’s efforts to help promote and grow the game are unparalleled. Among his major contributions are: BC Regional Coach 2008-2010; Team BC Field Lacrosse Coordinator (2010-2020) - a role of overseeing all Men’s and Women’s Field Lacrosse teams.
With a vision of build, grow and expand - under Rey’s leadership - BC Field Lacrosse has grown from 3 to 10 age-appropriate teams. The Team BC Field program has become hugely successful creating opportunities for countless young student athletes to train and develop. Led by Rey and his supporters, more than 260 young men and women student athletes from British Columbia have received university scholarships across the United States and Canada. As an individual, Rey Comeault has always been the epitome of a genuine professional employing his passion and commitment to organize and adapt to whatever was required for success.
Doug Luey
Born in St. Catharines Ontario, Doug has been involved in lacrosse for more than 50 years, mostly in the Whitby/Oshawa community. His long-term commitment has taken place in Ontario, across Canada and Internationally. Doug has held numerous positions including Team Coach, Manager, and Team and League Executive at the local, provincial, national and international levels.
Among his accomplishments: Won Founders Cup as General Manager of Green Gaels in 2002 and 2004; Began annual trip to the Czech Republic to the Ales Hrebesky Memorial Tournament winning in 2007 and 2010; Served as convenor for over 25 National Championships in Peewee, Bantam, Midget, Founders Cup and Minto Cup.
Doug Luey has received various awards including OLA Heritage Award; OLA Creators Game Award; OLA Presidents Award; Inducted into the Clarington Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 (as a member of the Clarington Green Gaels 2002 team); Inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2014; Queen’s Jubilee Award in 2012; CLA Recognition Award for Contribution in 2011; Appointed a Life Member of Whitby Minor Lacrosse in 2006.
Joanne Stanga
From Orillia, Ontario – Joanne Stanga has been instrumental in building women’s field lacrosse in Ontario, across Canada and internationally. As a player, she competed for Canada and Ontario, As a coach, Joanne has guided teams to provincial, national and international titles. Her contributions to lacrosse also include serving in various administrative capacities.
Joanne’s coaching resume includes (Orillia 2006-2010, U19 Team Ontario 1990-2000, Team Canada 1994-2003). In addition, her involvement includes building the game at a provincial level with the Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse League as its Commissioner 1988-2005, nationally as the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) Women’s Field Sector Chair from 1988-1992 and the CLA National Team Director 2005-2013. Joanne was also a member of the Federation of International Lacrosse Competition Committee 2009-2017.
Among her many accolades, Joanne is a Lifetime Member of Orillia Minor Lacrosse. She was inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame in 2021, the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2020; Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award in 2012; awarded Canadian Lacrosse Association’s Lester B. Pearson award in 2002 and the OLA Tip Teather Award in 1998.
Honoured in the Officials Category
William (Bill) Fox
One of the finest officials in lacrosse, Bill Fox was also an accomplished box and field player. He participated in numerous provincial and national championships including being a member of the 1980 Mann Cup champions Brampton Excelsiors. In addition, Bill coached box and field lacrosse at the minor, Junior and Provincial levels. Furthermore, Bill Fox made a significant contribution as a builder including being a co-founder of the West Durham Minor Lacrosse Association; Co-founder of the Toronto Field Lacrosse Program; CLA Board of Officials member; and recruiting and training Canadian and American referees. Bill Fox was also the Co-founder of the International Lacrosse Federation Referees Association. His array of experience in officiating in box and field lacrosse can be described as vast and significant.
Refereeing for over four decades, included among Bill’s accomplishments are Induction into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame in 2021; Recipient of the Allen G. Rae Builder Award from Sports Officials Canada -recognition of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development of sports officials and the advancement of the sports officiating profession (2010). And many other contributions, too long to list here.
---
For additional information on the inductees or the induction banquet, please visit the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame website at www.clhof.org.