I bet you didn’t know that Mike Keenan’s first ever coaching gig was the high school lacrosse coach at Toronto’s Don Mills Collegiate. He grew up playing lacrosse in Whitby/Oshawa and the rest is history.

Mike Keenan is one of the most successful coaches ever. He began his hockey coaching career at Forest Hill Collegiate in Toronto, and his star ascended rapidly. He won an Ontario championship in junior with Peterborough, a Canadian university championship with the University of Toronto, and a Calder Cup in the AHL with Rochester. In the NHL, he took Philadelphia (twice) and Chicago to the Stanley Cup final before he led the New York Rangers to the title. Along the way, he led Team Canada to two Canada Cup victories, and later in his career won a Kontinental Hockey League championship in Magnitogorsk, Russia. He is still coaching today, with the Italian national team. Mike Keenan coached some of the greatest stars in hockey and is remembered as one of the game’s most colourful personalities.

His book Iron Mike is out now, and, on this podcast, we talk about what he brought to hockey from lacrosse, line juggling and experimentation on the ice, if his methods would work today and why Gretzky to Lemieux was such a wild concept back in the day.

You can find Iron Mike, My Life Behind the Bench wherever you buy books. Or here -->

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I grew up in Ladner, and I wear that with pride. But whatever Four Winds-drinking, potato-munching, flatland patriotism I can muster is nothing compared to Logan Schuss. 

I’ve watched him grow up. I even played a bit of lacrosse with his older brother, Carlton, and Logan was always there. Thursday night Pioneer games, Friday night Junior A games, mid-week Intermediate B, Peewee, Novice, or Tyke at Ladner Arena—Logan Schuss was just always there. 

From the time he was 10, we all knew he was going places. 

And that place ended up being The Ohio State University on a field lacrosse scholarship—something that didn’t happenmuch around here. Then came the 1st overall draft pick in the NLL, Rookie of the Year, 10 successful seasons and over 500 pro points as a deceptive shooter. Later, he became a body-banger, but always an amazing teammate. 

A couple of summers ago, Logan took over as the General Manager of the Junior A Delta Islanders. And when it came time to find a new coach this offseason? He hired himself.

It was a no-brainer. Logan is the guy to take this team to the next level. The guy who’s already raised the bar and shown the world what a Ladner lacrosse player can accomplish is now going to do it for the next generation. The organization is in great hands, and I can’t wait to see what he does with this team.

I think we’ll see a different side of Logan on this podcast. He’s one of the lightest, most loveable dudes in the game, buthe’s also a thoughtful and intelligent leader. He’s taking this role seriously, and I know he’ll build the Junior Islanders into a powerhouse.

The rink rat from the flatlands is on Coaches Calls. Thanks for listening.

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One of the NLL's unsung heroes. A man behind the curtain. Jeremy Tallevi, an assistant coach alongside Derek Keenan for over two decades, is an unsung personality in the league. His career began as a young scout during the Toronto Rock's Les Bartley dynasty era. He then coached the Western Mustangs in the CUFLA for 20 years, winning multiple Baggataway Cup national championships. His coaching experience spans all levels—tykes, minors, juniors, seniors, and pros—culminating in the insightful leadership he demonstrates today. He's also been instrumental in growing the sport in less traditional lacrosse hotbeds like London and Wallaceburg.

His second stint with the Saskatchewan Rush began in 2018 as defensive coordinator. He's worked closely with his young, talented roster to help the team try and return to the postseason and restore winning ways in Saskvegas.

In this podcast, we discuss his approach to film and game preparation, defensive strategies, offensive and defensive players to emulate, and the importance of positivity within the team.

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Every team has its unsung heroes. Its people behind the

Sean Ferris has been one of those guys since the 90s! The

Sean Ferris started as a scout in the NLL during the Les

This Burlington native has won six championships in total

If you've ever met Ferris, he's one of the most outgoing and

He was a Presidents Cup champion as a player, specializing

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It’s always fun talking to the O and D coaches in the NLL. The real lax rats. They always bring a very open and honest dialogue about what they’re up to, all in an effort to grow the game. They’re passionate and they see the game from a unique angle.

Today is one of the goods guys of the game. NLL superfan as we’ll learn, but always one of the just the nicest dudes to see at the arena, O coach for the NLL 2022 Champion Colorado Mammoth, Jason Bishop.

He’s also the head coach of the legendary New Westminster Salmonbellies in the WLA.

Bishop is heading into his fourth season with the Mammoth, and what magic he’s brought to the team so far. Since joining the Mammoth in October 2021, he’s helped lead them to incredible success, including a 2021-22 NLL Championship win and two trips to the Finals in just three years.

Bish has been instrumental in transforming the Mammoth’s identity, turning them from a defense-first team into a dynamic offensive powerhouse. His innovative ideas and ability to motivate and elevate his players has made him a real weapon on the bench.

Before stepping into coaching, Jason spent five seasons as the Mammoth’s western scout, honing his skills in analyzing players and breaking down opponents. And if that’s not enough, he’s got over 20 years of coaching experience in Canadian lacrosse, where he’s guided teams to multiple provincial and national championships. The move to the WLA in the summer of 2024 was to take on a new challenge and get even better as a coach, we’ll talk about that here.

As a player, he was a career D guy, competing with the Nanaimo Timbermen and New Westminster Salmonbellies, where he played in the Presidents Cup and the Mann Cup.

On this podcast we’ll dive into some of his offensive principals, and how he’s helped shape the Mammoth into one of the most exciting teams in the NLL.

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Dan Carey is the first and only General Manager and VP of lacrosse operations for the NEW incarnation of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. A role in which he oversees all aspects of lacrosse operations, including team services, player acquisitions, and personnel development. He was named the NLL’s GM of the Year in 2023.

The team has made back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024.

Carey previously spent three years with the Colorado Mammoth, serving as general manager.

Before becoming GM, Carey was the Mammoth’s director of player personnel, managing scouting and player development. He joined the organization as an eastern scout following a standout five-year playing career with the Mammoth. Drafted seventh overall in 2005, Carey earned NLL All-Star honors in his first three seasons and was pivotal in the Mammoth’s 2006 Champion’s Cup win. He concluded his career with the Toronto Rock in 2012, retiring with 89 goals and 147 assists in 60 games.

In his home and native land Carey won three Mann Cups with his cherished Peterborough Lakers and was named MVP in 2006. Internationally, he earned gold with Team Canada at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship and now serves as GM of Canada’s national men’s field lacrosse programs, earning a silver medal in 2023.

The man has had some of the coolest jobs lacrosse has to offer. We’ll talk about that and what he brings to the organizations he’s been involved with, what it was like coaching a young Jeff Teat and his vision for building a winning team.

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Merry Christmas!

We just passed our one-year anniversary, so thanks to everyone who has downloaded, subscribed, commented, and listened to an episode. I appreciate you, thanks for an amazing year.

It’s that time of year when stockings are filled with lacrosse balls, and kids are unwrapping awesome new gloves and shafts from under the tree.

Most years, we get a little mini-break from the NLL, but because Christmas falls mid-week this year, we're keeping the momentum going full tilt. There were games last weekend, and there will be games this weekend! So hopefully, you can reset and get a little mini break with your family and friends before jumping back into work or lacrosse. I hope 2025 is your best year yet!

As we look back on 2024, one of the biggest stories in the lacrosse world was Curt Malawsky coming home. The reigning Head Coach of the Year left his longtime love and a championship calibre roster, the Calgary Roughnecks, for a bigger purpose: to grow the game of lacrosse in BC by trying to establish a tradition of excellence at the helm of BC's pro lacrosse team, the Vancouver Warriors.

I'd say it was a great first season. They won 6 of their final 8 games, finishing with an 8-10 record, and were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs only by a million different tie-breaking scenarios. But he did a lot of what he set out to do: turn Vancouver into a winner, give the fans some hope, and give the kids in the crowd something to aspire to.

Curt was on the show last Christmas Day… he's a real family man… so I wanted to have him again at the same time of year as we reflect and then look forward, hopefully providing you with some inspiring Mouse-isms to start the year.

It's the second annual Christmas with Curt on Coaches Calls.

A big thanks to the people who support the show each week and allow it to arrive on your phones for free.

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With his long stride and familiar gait, it's hard to miss Robert Hope on a lacrosse floor. He also gets loud and takes it as a compliment like any good defender should.

He's an NLL champion, World champion, multiple Mann Cup champion and one of the longest serving captains in the NLL today. He's been one of the league's best defenders for a decade.

He's also the head coach of the Peterborough Junior A Lakers, a role he took to give back to the community that's given him so much.

On this episode we ponder "are the Mammoth back?" After going to back-to-back NLL Finals, the Mammoth missed the post season for the first time in Hope's career last season. What does this refreshed group need to do to find success again and what hard lessons were learned.

We talk about Sidney Crosby, the importance of constant improvement and how that differs from improving as a coach and a player.

I always thought Hopey was Captain Serious on and off the floor but he really brings an energetic intensity that's pretty contagious.

Thanks for listening to Coaches Call on the Lacrosse Culture Daily Podcast Network.

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Don Koharski is one of the most respected and well-known officials in the history of professional sports, with a career that spans over four decades. He built a reputation for his no-nonsense approach, deep understanding of the game, and ability to manage high-pressure situations on the ice.

After an illustrious 32-year career in the NHL, Koharski transitioned to a key role in the National Lacrosse League as Officiating Supervisor, further cementing his legacy as a master of officiating. The coach of the refs.

Over the course of his career, Koharski officiated more than 1,800 regular-season NHL games, 262 playoff games, and 11 Stanley Cup Finals—a testament to his consistency and excellence.

His tenure coincided with some of hockey’s most dramatic eras, from the physical play of the 1980s to the skill-driven game of the 2000s. Koharski witnessed firsthand the careers of legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby. He was known for his consistent demeanor and ability to control emotionally charged games, earning the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike.

The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, native has been a longtime lacrosse supporter, as a player helping the Nova Scotia team to a silver medal in the Canada Summer Games in 1973 and coaching the Hamilton Bengals midget lacrosse team in 1980 and 1981. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, inducted in 2007.

The NLL’s Officiating Supervisor since 2021, he’s been instrumental in launching new officiating mechanics in the NLL and has had an instrumental voice in the competition committee.

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The greater the man, the shorter the bio. 

Derek Keenan is the GOAT.

The winningest coach in National Lacrosse League (NLL) history, he's coached the most games and won more championships than anyone else in the league. He's been a part of nine championships: two as a player in Buffalo, four as an assistant coach in Toronto, and three as head coach with the Rush. He also won two Minto Cups as head coach with Whitby. His accolades include multiple Les Bartley Awards for Coach of the Year and multiple GM of the Year awards. 

He's built expansion teams, dynasties, and winners. And he's

 He's the greatest, and I hope you'll understand why in this

Derek Keenan is the co-head coach and general manager of the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League.

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