Quebec’s Kahnawake Junior B Hunters win Ontario lacrosse championship for first time ever

The Kahnawake Junior B Hunters won the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) championship for the first time in team history.

With no equivalent league in Quebec, Kahnawake’s most popular lacrosse team plays in Ontario, travelling to Akwesasne, Nepean, Gloucester and beyond, while welcoming opposing teams to the Sports Complex at home.

The Hunters beat the Thunder from their sister Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) community in Akwesasne to set a finals matchup against the Elora Hawks.

On Tuesday night, the Hunters made history, defeating the Hawks 13-7 to win the finals three games to two.

After getting swept 3-0 last year, Hunters player Marcus Diabo said it was incredible to pull off a reverse sweep against a strong team like Elora.

“Getting them was huge. Coaching staff, seniors, everything. You just have to love it. You have to love the game to win it,” he said.

The team’s owner, Derek Stacey, who lives and breathes lacrosse, said that for a small Indigenous community of about 10,000 residents, the victory is a major achievement.

“The teams we grew up playing against have endless numbers of players to choose from. We have such a small pool to draw from, so it’s a really big deal to win,” Stacey said. “That’s like beating all of Ontario against a little town from Quebec, a small Mohawk community. I couldn’t be more proud, and I’m sure the community is proud too.”

To fill his roster, Stacey has also brought in players from Akwesasne and Onondaga.

On Wednesday evening, the returning champions were welcomed home by fans, family and friends.

“They had their fun last night, and now it’s time to refocus and get back to work,” Stacey said.

Kahnawake will now represent the league at the Founder’s Cup national championship, which begins in Calgary on Monday.

Hunters player Deeland Martin said nothing beats the feeling of winning and hopes the team can do it again.

“We did it as a family. We’re going to Calgary and hopefully bring it home,” Martin said.