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Dan Ladouceur

Lacrosse

  • Inducted in 2011
  • Athlete

Dan was born in Thunder Bay Ontario in 1973, and his family soon moved to the small town of Whitby. He attended St John the Evangelist public school and Denis O’Connor High School in Ajax.

Dan began his lacrosse career right here in Whitby playing Box Lacrosse for the Whitby Gerrard Road Runners. Continuing in the system soon to be named Whitby Minor Lacrosse, Dan graduated through the ranks, working his way to the Whitby Warriors in the Junior A loop of the Ontario Lacrosse Association. There he was united for the first time with Hall of Fame coach Peter Vipond, who had a dramatic and lasting impact on his young career. While success at this level eluded Dan, he did enjoy the role of Alternate Captain and began to fine tune a game that would eventually show him the success he envisioned.

Once graduated from the Junior A loop, Dan stayed in Whitby, choosing to battle with the Brooklin Redman of the OLA Major Series. These were the years where a real foundation was formed for success at the next level

Dan was invited to training camp as a walk on with the Ontario Raiders of the National Lacrosse League. After falling short of making the squad the first year, he pursued his opportunities and reported to camp for the Toronto Rock in their very first year. Dan signed as a free agent in 1999 and enjoyed his entire career in the National Lacrosse League with the Toronto Rock.

During his 10-year career in Toronto, Dan appeared in 6 Champions Cup games, winning 5 National Lacrosse League Championships.

While not overly blessed with soft hands and creative playmaking, Dan was able to make his mark and make his presence known in the league year after year. Dan is the current Penalty Minute Leader in Toronto Rock history and retired as the Penalty Minute Leader of the National Lacrosse League.

After retiring from playing in 2008, Dan stepped behind the bench to explore the world of coaching. For Dan, so far, so good. Dan has won National Championships coaching at the Team Ontario Peewee and Team Ontario Bantam levels as well as Provincial Championships with his girls Box Lacrosse team playing out of his hometown club, Whitby.

Dan is currently coaching with his former team, the Whitby Warriors in the JR A loop of the OLA. He hopes that the Minto Cup that eluded him as a player will soon find a place on his mantel as a coach.

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