Class of 2020 – Four MSL players inducted into Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame

The Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum has released the names of the 2020 inductees. The 2020 Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductees include four players.  Steve McCullough, Gavin Prout and Phillip Sanderson. In the Veteran Category, the lone inductee is player Allan Gordaneer.

Two non players were inducted in the Builder Category - Marion Ladouceur and Joanne Stanga.

The four players Steve McCullough, Gavin Prout, Phil Sanderson and Al Gordaneer had lengthy and successful careers in the OLA Junior “A” and Major Series Lacrosse leagues.

Steve McCullough – (Brampton)

Steve McCullough played his entire Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) career with the Brampton Excelsiors playing minor lacrosse from 1966-1975 before graduating to the Brampton Junior “A” team in 1976. He played Brampton Junior. “A” from 1976 to 1980. Steve was on the 1976 Brampton team who were Minto Cup Finalists. In five seasons Steve McCullough played 110 games scoring 99 goals, adding 148 assists for 248 Total Points.  He also racked up 406 penalty minutes. In 1982 Steve joined the MSL Brampton Senior. “A” team and played there until 1986. Steve was known as a tough, hardworking defensive player who could score in key situations. Brampton Lacrosse awarded Steve a team MVP Award in 1980, and a team Top Defensive Award in 1985.

Gavin Prout –(Whitby/Brooklin)

Gavin Prout was an offensive threat every time he stepped on the floor. Gavin played OLA Junior “A” Lacrosse from 1995-1999 with Whitby, winning two Minto Cups (1997 and 1999). He moved up to the OLA Major Series Lacrosse team in Brooklin playing with the Redmen in 2000, 2003-2004, and 2006-2007, winning a Mann Cup in 2000. Gavin played one year with Peterborough in 2011, and then joined Brooklin again during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. During his lacrosse career Gavin was the recipient of several awards including the OLA Junior “A”  Dennis MacIntosh Most Valuable Player Trophy, the Bobby Allan Top Scorer Trophy, the Dean McLeod Play-Off MVP Trophy, and the E.W. Billy Evans Top Graduating Player Trophy. Gavin also received the OLA MSL Gene Dopp Top Rookie Trophy in 2000. Professionally Gavin played 11 years in the National Lacrosse League and seven years in the Major Lacrosse League. Gavin has represented Canada playing on Team Canada Men’s Field teams winning bronze in 1996, silver in 2002 and gold in 2006.  He also was a member of Team Canada Indoor box lacrosse team that won the gold medal in 2007.

Phillip ‘Flip’ Sanderson –(Orangeville/Brampton)

Phil Sanderson had a long and successful lacrosse career as a dominant and respected defensive player. He played regular shifts and penalty kill and was an on-floor team leader who often led the team in loose balls. Phil played five full seasons of OLA Junior “A” Lacrosse with Orangeville 1993-1998 and 11 full seasons of OLA Major Series Lacrosse with Brampton 1999-2009. He represented Canada on two Team Canada Men’s Field Lacrosse teams and played two seasons with the Toronto Nationals of Major League Lacrosse. Phil was a member of two Minto Cup teams (1994 & 1998), three Mann Cups (2002, 2008-2009), a silver medal in 1996 and bronze medal in 2010 with Team Canada.  In addition, he was the recipient of individual awards including the OLA John McCauley Award as the Top Defensive Player in Junior “A” in 1997. In the 14 seasons Phil played in the National Lacrosse League he was a part of team winning the championship three times. Phil Sanderson’s father – Lindsay was inducted into the OLHOF in 2010.  His uncle – Terry – was inducted into the OLHOF in 1999.

Allan “Al” Gordaneer –Veteran Category –(Toronto/Mississauga/Brantford)

Al Gordaneer was an effective goal scorer who was an equally adept playmaker. During his playing career Al was a high scorer and a great team player. Al played his junior lacrosse with the Toronto Township PCOs / Mississauga PCOs from 1966-1970 where he was a prolific player.  His Junior Lacrosse career regular season statistics were: 145 Games, 145 Goals, 135 Assists for a total of 280 Total Points. Al went on to play Senior Lacrosse for the Brantford Warriors in 1971 where he won a Mann Cup. Al continued to play with the Brantford Warriors until 1973. In 1974 he played for the National Lacrosse Leagues Rochester Griffins winning the NLL Pro-Nations Cup.