OLHOF Class of 2026
ONTARIO LACROSSE HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026
St. Catharines, ON – June 1, 2026 – Since its inception in 1997, the mission of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame has been to recognize and celebrate the great players and builders of the game in Ontario with the honour of induction into the Hall of Fame.
We are pleased to announce our 2026 inductees who have been nominated by individuals within the Ontario Lacrosse Association community. The Honoured Inductees for 2026 include 4 Players and 2 Builders. For more information about submitting your nominations please visit the Hall of Fame website..
2026 Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductees
Player Category: Bruce Codd, Anthony “Coz” Cosmo, Larry King, Shawn “Willy” Williams
Builder Category: Mike Gray, Dave Vernon
Bruce Codd – Player Category
A native of Orangeville, Ontario, Bruce Codd enjoyed an accomplished playing career that spanned multiple levels of the game, including Junior “A,” Senior “B,” Major Series Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse League (NLL). He was widely respected for his intelligence and consistency as a defender, his ability to contribute offensively, and his leadership on and off the floor.
Codd starred with the Orangeville Northmen Junior “A” program from 1995 to 1999, helping the club capture two Minto Cup championships in 1995 and 1996. In 1999, he was recognized as one of the league’s top players, earning the Gaylord Powless Award for Ability and Sportsmanship and finishing among the league’s top scorers.
At the Major level, Bruce was a key member of the Brampton Excelsiors, winning two Mann Cups in 2002 and 2008. His success extended to the professional ranks, where he competed in the NLL for 13 seasons, playing for multiple franchises and winning a Champions Cup with the Calgary Roughnecks in 2009.
Codd also captured a President’s Cup with the Wellington Aces at the Senior “B” level and added a Ross Cup national championship in senior field lacrosse with Calgary in 2011, underscoring his versatility and longevity across disciplines of the game.
Beyond his achievements as a player, Bruce Codd has given back extensively to the lacrosse community. He has volunteered as a coach for more than two decades, served as a co-coach of the Orangeville Northmen Minto Cup championship team in 2008, and played a leadership role in the founding and ongoing operation of the Orangeville Northmen Alumni Association. His commitment to the sport was further recognized when he was named Orangeville Northmen Volunteer of the Year in consecutive seasons.
The induction of Bruce Codd as a Player honors a career defined by excellence, sportsmanship, and service. His impact on lacrosse—as a champion, leader, and mentor—has left an enduring legacy that reflects the highest ideals of Canada’s national summer sport.
Anthony Cosmo – Player Category
Over a remarkable career spanning more than two decades, Anthony Cosmo established himself as one of the game’s most reliable and accomplished goaltenders. A proven winner at every level, he captured one Minto Cup and four Mann Cup championships, while earning widespread recognition for his poised presence, competitive edge, and ability to deliver in championship moments.
Cosmo’s Junior career included four seasons with the Mississauga Tomahawks of the Ontario Junior “A” Lacrosse League before he moved west to play one season with the Burnaby Lakers of the BC Junior “A” Lacrosse League. In 1998, he played a pivotal role in Burnaby’s Minto Cup championship, earning Second Team All-Star honours. Over his Junior “A” career, Cosmo played 101 games, recording 50 assists and just 38 penalty minutes — numbers that reflected both his athletic ability and disciplined playing style.
His success continued in the Ontario Major Series, competing in 14 seasons and winning three Mann Cups with the Brampton Excelsiors (2008, 2009, 2011). His accomplishments were further underscored by receiving the Harry Lumley Award as the league’s top goaltender for least goals against in three consecutive seasons (2007, 2008, 2009).
Cosmo also made a significant impact in the Western Lacrosse Association, playing three seasons with the Victoria Shamrocks from 2004 to 2006. He was a key figure in Victoria’s 2005 Mann Cup championship, where he earned Mike Kelley Award honors as the series’ Most Valuable Player. He was also named a WLA First Team All-Star twice during his tenure.
Over his senior lacrosse career, Cosmo appeared in 367 games, accumulating 146 assists and 185 penalty minutes, while winning a total of four Mann Cups over 17 senior seasons — a testament to his durability and sustained elite performance.
At the professional level, Anthony Cosmo enjoyed a distinguished 17-season career in the National Lacrosse League (2001–2017) with the Toronto Rock, San Jose Stealth, Boston Blazers, and Buffalo Bandits. In 2007, he was recognized as the League’s Goaltender of the Year, solidifying his status among the game’s elite. A three-time NLL All-Star, Cosmo later transitioned into coaching, serving as goaltending coach for the Buffalo Bandits beginning with the 2018–19 NLL season.
Defined by championships, individual achievement, and unwavering professionalism, Anthony Cosmo’s career reflects excellence at every level of the game.
Larry King – Player Category
Larry King is widely regarded by lacrosse legends as one of the finest two‑way players of his era. A dynamic scorer with a keen sense for transition opportunities, he was equally renowned for his relentless defensive play, tenacity on loose balls, and unwavering commitment to team success.
Born and raised in Akwesasne, King played the entirety of his competitive lacrosse career representing his home community, beginning with the Akwesasne Mohawks Jr. B (1976–1978), where he was part of a League Championship team. Playing both forward and defence, he competed with several outstanding teams, including the Akwesasne Thunderbirds, Akwesasne Warriors, Kahnawake Mohawks, and the Akwesasne Thunder. His teams captured multiple league championships, and his crowning achievements came as Captain of the Akwesasne Thunder Senior B team, which won the Canadian Senior B Championship Presidents Cup in 1995 and 1997 with a silver in 1996.
Over the course of his career, King earned numerous individual accolades, including Most Valuable MVP, Most Consistent Player, Defensive Award, Man‑Down Specialist, and repeated recognition as Team Captain and Assistant Captain. His consistent, high‑intensity style of play and sportsmanship made him one of the most respected players in Akwesasne and throughout the league. Even during seasons when Akwesasne teams did not capture league titles, King was still called upon to strengthen qualifying teams at the national level—an enduring testament to his skill, leadership, and reputation.
Beyond his playing achievements, King’s impact on the sport continued through coaching with both minor and Senior B teams, including a qualification for the National Championships, further demonstrating his deep understanding of the game and commitment to developing athletes.
King’s contributions were recognized with his selection to represent Team Indigenous at the 1980 Nations Cup Lacrosse Championship in British Columbia and his 2018 induction into the Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Beyond lacrosse, King’s life reflects the values instilled by the Creator’s Medicine Game. As a youth, he channelled his athletic abilities into boxing, becoming a six‑time New York State Golden Gloves Champion and earning a #8 national ranking in AAU boxing in 1978–79. He later appeared in major film productions, including Last of the Mohicans, before dedicating himself to community leadership.
From 1997 to 2015, Larry King served as an elected District Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, where he became a tireless advocate for youth and elder involvement, sports development, land‑claim resolution, and long‑term economic sustainability for future generations.
Larry King’s career spanned over 20 years and left an enduring legacy defined not solely by where he played, but by how he played, who he represented, and the path he set for others to follow.
Shawn Williams – Player Category
Shawn Williams developed his passion for lacrosse at an early age, inspired by his father, Greg Williams, a former member of the Brooklin Redmen. That early foundation, combined with rare natural talent and relentless work ethic, propelled him to one of the most decorated careers the sport has ever seen.
Williams enjoyed tremendous success both in the box and on the field with the defining chapter of his career unfolding over 19 seasons with the Brooklin Redmen. During his MSL tenure, he captured the league scoring championship six times (1999, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012) and was named Most Valuable Player on three occasions (2005, 2007, 2011). He remains Brooklin’s all-time leading scorer and is second all-time in Canadian lacrosse history, amassing an incredible 2,121 points across 474 regular-season and playoff games. Among his many records is a league best 21 points in a single game, set on July 26, 1999.
Williams’ championship pedigree includes two Mann Cup titles—one with Brooklin in 2000, and another with the Brampton Excelsiors in 2009. His 2009 Mann Cup performance remains legendary, as he led all scorers with 29 points in seven games and was named Mann Cup Series MVP.
At the professional level, Williams posted outstanding numbers over 17 seasons in the National Lacrosse League, competing for four franchises and recording over 1,200 career points. He appeared in six NLL All-Star Games and captured two NLL championships—with Toronto in 1999 and Rochester in 2007—cementing his place among the league’s most consistent offensive threats.
Internationally, Williams represented Canada on multiple occasions, winning Canada’s second World Field Championship in 2006, two silver medals (2002 and 2010) and two World Indoor Lacrosse Championships (2003, 2007). His versatility also extended to Major League Lacrosse, where he won a 2009 field championship with the Toronto Nationals. Williams also helped his Brock Badgers to four Canadian University Baggataway Cup titles (1994, 1996-98).
His influence on the sport did not stop with his playing career. Since 2005, he has been building an exceptional coaching résumé from high school lacrosse in Durham Region, to guiding Brock University to two Canadian Championships, to more than 10 provincial championships with Whitby and Oshawa Minor organizations, to Junior A with Six Nations and Whitby to the NLL with Colorado and currently with the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. He is also coaching with the Canada’s National Women’s Sixes team. Shawn was inducted into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame as a player in 2021
From Junior B Rookie of the Year in honours in 1991 to Major Series and NLL scoring and MVP titles, Shawn Williams’ career milestones span more than two decades. The lacrosse community proudly celebrates one of the most prolific and respected figures in Canadian lacrosse history — a lifelong ambassador whose influence continues to shape the game at every level.
Mike Gray – Builder Category
Mike Gray’s lacrosse journey began in Brooklin in the early 1950s and quickly grew into a lifetime devotion. As a player, he competed at the highest levels of the sport, winning a Minto Cup in 1963 with the Oshawa Green Gaels and back‑to‑back Mann Cup championships in 1968 and 1969 with the Brooklin Redmen. From Whitby and Alderwood Junior A to nearly a decade with Brooklin Senior A, Gray was known as a committed, team‑first player who embraced every role asked of him.
Following his retirement from playing in 1971, Gray seamlessly transitioned into leadership and forever changed the trajectory of lacrosse in Brooklin and across Ontario. In 1976, he was instrumental in founding the Brooklin Redmen Major Senior Lacrosse team, serving as General Manager from 1976 to 1987. Under his stewardship, the Redmen rebuilt into a model organization, capturing the 1985 Mann Cup and representing Canada East at the 1980 World Box Lacrosse Championships, earning a bronze medal.
Beyond Brooklin, Gray’s influence was felt province‑wide. From 1987 to 1995, he served as Commissioner of the OLA Major Series, guiding the league through one of the most challenging periods in its history and helping stabilize and strengthen senior lacrosse in Ontario. He later continued supporting the league as Assistant Commissioner, Mann Cup Convenor, broadcaster, and executive advisor.
Gray’s leadership within the Brooklin organization spanned decades, including terms as President, Director, General Manager, and executive board member. His passion for community‑based lacrosse, financial stability, and player development helped ensure the long‑term success of one of Canada’s most respected amateur sports franchises.
In recognition of his extraordinary service, Mike Gray has received numerous honours, including:
- Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame (Builder), 2012
- Lifetime Executive Board Member, Brooklin Redmen
- Whitby Sports Hall of Fame, inducted as a lifelong lacrosse builder
- Multiple Team Inductions with the Oshawa Green Gaels and Brooklin Redmen
- Recognition among the Top 100 athletes, builders, and teams of the 20th century in Durham Region
Mike Gray’s induction celebrates and honours a true lacrosse life, defined by dedication, integrity, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to building the game for future generations. Gray continues to be actively involved with the Brooklin Lacrosse Club, sharing his knowledge, leadership, and passion for the sport he has served for six decades.
Dave Vernon – Builder Category
Dave Vernon’s contribution to the game spans over 40 years, beginning in 1977, and has touched nearly every level of lacrosse administration and development. Throughout his distinguished career, Vernon has served as a coach, team manager, team executive, league executive, and long-time volunteer, earning a reputation as one of the most influential builders in Ontario lacrosse history.
Vernon’s impact has been particularly profound in Ontario Junior “B” Lacrosse, where he has served as League Commissioner since 1991. When he assumed the role, the league consisted of just 10 teams. Under his steady leadership and vision, the league expanded to 26 teams, becoming widely regarded as the premier Junior “B” lacrosse league in Canada. During his tenure as commissioner, Ontario Junior “B” teams captured the Canadian Championship Founders Cup 24 times, a remarkable record of sustained excellence.
In addition to his role as commissioner, Vernon has been a member of the OMLA/OLA Board of Governors since 1979, holding positions including Director, Vice-President of Finance, and Zone 9 Director. He has also served as Secretary for OLA Zone 9 for more than three decades and was Secretary of the OLA Minor Council from 2010 to 2016.
Vernon has made significant contributions to field lacrosse as well. In 1980, he helped found the Ontario Junior Men’s Field Lacrosse League (OJMFLL) and was instrumental in the development of the Niagara Raiders, serving as General Manager from 1980 through 2016. He also played a key role in helping establish the U-19 Field Lacrosse program, providing young athletes with opportunities to compete at a high level while pursuing educational pathways, including scholarships.
On the national and provincial stages, Vernon served as General Manager for Team Canada at the 1992 U19 World Championships and has acted as the scheduler for the Ontario Provincial Lacrosse Championships since 1988—an extensive responsibility involving the coordination of hundreds of games over multi-day tournaments. He has also volunteered annually at OLA Festivals, serving as an arena supervisor since 2003.
Dave Vernon’s commitment to the sport has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, including OLA “Mr. Lacrosse” (1987), the OLRA Gerry Ravery Award (2009), the Queen’s Jubilee Award (2012), and multiple OLA service awards recognizing outstanding contribution: 20 years (President’s Award), 30 years (Creator’s Game Award), and 40 years (Heritage Award)
Respected for his leadership, collaborative approach, and integrity, Dave Vernon is regarded as a tireless advocate for lacrosse and a role model within the community. The Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame celebrates a lifetime of service and an enduring legacy that has strengthened lacrosse across the province for generations.