Eagles soar to new heights
The Kanesatake Eagles proudly gather after their strong showing at the 2025 LAXNAI tournament in Utica, New York, marking the community’s return to men’s competitive lacrosse on the international stage. Courtesy Kyle Atkwiroton Canatonquin
The LAXNAI lacrosse tournament once again lived up to its reputation as the largest box lacrosse tournament in the world, drawing 69 teams across men’s, women’s, youth, and master’s divisions.
Played over four action-packed days in Utica, New York, the event showcased the growing global footprint of lacrosse with teams from North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond. Among them was the return of Kanesatake to the men’s competitive lacrosse stage through the Kanesatake Eagles.
The Eagles had an impressive showing, winning four of their five games and finishing 17th overall in a field of 40 men’s teams. Their run began with a strong 7-5 victory over Ireland’s Blue Team, followed by a hard-fought 10-6 loss to the Cayuga Lakers.
Their third game never made it to the floor, as their scheduled opponents, the Bucks, forfeited. The Eagles then rallied to beat the hometown Utica Yeti 5-3 before closing the weekend with a 7-5 win over Gold Star Tel Aviv of Israel.
“Honestly, it was such an amazing feeling,” said Hayden Nicholas, one of the younger members of the squad. “It was the first time Kanesatake had a men’s team ever play in a tournament like this. We usually only have youth or master’s teams, but not a Junior or Senior squad. For younger men like myself, it meant everything to represent our community.”
The team’s formation was the result of the effort led by captain Kyle Atkwiroton Canatonquin.
“The whole experience was cool. Getting back on the floor with guys I used to play with was a lot of fun. We didn’t have a coach, so as captain I took on that role too. Keeping the boys focused and calm when things got heated. We started planning back in January, came up with the team name, designed the jerseys, and made it happen.”
That determination didn’t go unnoticed by tournament organizers. Stephen Stamp, media director of LAXNAI, praised the Eagles’ effort on and off the floor.
“What struck me most about the Eagles was how quickly they came together. They weren’t just showing up, they were competing hard, playing with passion, and showing respect for the game.
“For a first-time team, they were remarkably composed. You could tell how much it meant to them to carry Kanesatake’s name, and that was inspiring to everyone watching.”
Stamp noted the growth of the event since its inception. “It’s a true global gathering,” he said, “with teams from places like France, Poland, Israel, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica joining North American clubs. It’s incredible to see.”
For longtime player Poe Albany, who grew up in Kahnawake but has roots in Kanesatake, the weekend was about more than scores.
“It was fun because Kanesatake hasn’t really had a men’s team represented anywhere for a long time. Just putting on that jersey meant a lot. What stood out to me most was how fast we supported each other as a group. Some of us grew up playing together, others were new faces, but once we were out there, it just felt right. Lacrosse is good medicine, and to share that with my community in this way was special.”
Another voice on the floor, Joe Beauvais, echoed the pride in representing Kanesatake after so many years without a senior team.
“As a whole, it was a great experience for our first time all playing together at LAXNAI. Our team and everyone else there had the same goal, and when you get 800-plus lacrosse players together with a similar mindset, how can it not be a positive experience? To represent Kanesatake is always an honour. The core of the team is Kanehsata’kehró:non, but we also had players from our sister communities to fill the roster. It was a real pleasure to play together.”
Beauvais added that while the Eagles lacked the luxury of steady team chemistry, they played with heart.
“Most of the guys have played together in some capacity in the past, but under the Kanesatake Eagles it was the first time. We had that team chemistry, we played good from start to finish.”
Their participation marked Kanesatake’s re-entry into men’s competitive lacrosse, with hopes of building toward league play in the future. Canatonquin believes this is only the beginning.
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“This was our first tournament as the Kanesatake Eagles in decades, and it really inspired a lot of people back home. We’d like to enter the Quebec Senior B Lacrosse League in the future and keep this going. A lot of community members were impressed, and we want to build on that momentum.”
