Hunters, Northmen sign deal
Kahnawa’kehró:non Trey Deere (right) has been a very important player for the Junior A Orangeville Northmen for the last four years - and now, as the Northmen affiliate with the Junior B Kahnawake Hunters, more players from the community could get a chance with one of Junior Lacrosse’s top franchises. Courtesy Orangeville Northmen
The Kahnawake Junior B Hunters will be newly affiliating with an Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) team for the 2026 season - a team already front and centre in the attention of many in Kahnawake.
That would be the OJLL’s Orangeville Northmen, a Junior A team and the seven-time Minto Cup winners, who are coming off back-to-back Minto Cup finals appearances.
“We have been discussing this affiliation for some time with Orangeville, and this season it worked out, and we hope that this will provide a path for Kahnawake players to be able to play lacrosse at the highest levels,” said Greg Horn, general manager for the Junior B Hunters.
“The Kahnawake Hunters are excited that this new affiliation will be beneficial to both teams this year.”
Nick Rose, president and general manager of the Orangeville Northmen, shared the sentiment.
“It will definitely be a collaborative effort between Kahnawake and Orangeville, and we’re looking forward to seeing what all the great, talented players from Kahnawake can do,” said Rose.
“Anytime you can partner up with the national champion of the Junior B league is an awesome opportunity.”
The Hunters had been affiliated with the Six Nations Arrows in 2025, and the Northmen with the Elora Hawks - who will now be a competitor for Orangeville, playing Junior A lacrosse in 2026.
It is normal for affiliations to change year over year, Rose said, depending on where each team is at, what their expectations are for the upcoming season, whether they feel players are getting opportunities to play at a higher level, or just the relationship not working out.
After multiple years of strong play, this could be a retooling year for the Northmen as many players graduate out of Junior A. As such, there will be opportunities for younger players to make their mark, both locally in Orangeville and from their affiliate.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to give some of their players an opportunity at the Junior A level, whether it’s on a short-term basis, or if any of their players, we both agree that they’re ready for the next step up to Junior A, then we’re going to be there to provide that opportunity,” said Rose.
“We obviously want to put the best team we can on the floor. Regardless of where everybody comes from, we’re all going to be working towards the goal of getting that Minto Cup.”
Trey Deere was a shining example of the possibility of players from the community advancing to the highest ranks of Junior lacrosse, having been drafted by the Northmen 11th overall in 2021 and being one of the team’s - and the league’s - best players during his four-year Junior career.
More recently, Tioháhes Morris was drafted by the Northmen, 18th overall back in February.
Sign up for email updates from The Eastern Door
“We’re excited about him, and obviously he’ll get an opportunity, but we’re definitely looking forward to seeing how other players develop and looking forward to giving opportunities at the Junior A level when they are earned,” said Rose.
