The Peterborough Timbermen would like to extend their congratulations to the three players who will make up the team’s leadership group for the 2020 season.
Mark Vradenburg, above left, returns as captain while his assistants this year will be Brett Coons (above middle) and Stephen Bourden.
Vradenburg, from Ottawa, enters his second year as captain. In 2019 he led the Timbermen to their best-ever season with a 9-5 record while finishing first in team scoring and second in league scoring. This past summer was his first in the MSL with the Cobourg Kodiaks.
Coons, a Peterborough native, has been a member of the Timbermen since their first season. The fan-favourite defenseman and three-time Mann Cup winner is one of the hardest workers on the team.
“As a Peterborough guy, getting the opportunity to be part of the leadership is an awesome feeling,” Coons said. “We’re looking to build on last year’s successes and hopefully continue to win when it counts.”
Bourden, from Bowmanville, is entering his third year with the Timbermen.
“It’s always a tremendous honour to be able to wear a letter on your jersey and it’s a really special opportunity for me to able to help lead a team with the amount of talent and character that we have,” he said.
Bourden was the most vocal player over the course of the Timbermen’s three-week training camp, directing play during scrimmages and encouraging other players. He also plays with the Ennismore James Gang in the summer.
“We really liked the leadership that both Coons and Bourden displayed during training camp,” said head coach and general manager Joe Sullivan. “Each took time to work with some of our younger players to get them used to our systems.”
Like Coons, Bourden is excited to build on the success of last season’s second place regular season finish. They’re counting on having a home venue for the first time to be a big part of their success this year.
“We’re an exciting team with a lot to prove. Fans in Peterborough and the surrounding area are the best fans in all of lacrosse and we want to build a great relationship with them this winter on and off the floor,” Bourden said. “We have a special group of guys and looking at how competitive our training camp was I know that we are a team that wants to win every time we step on the floor.”
The Timbermen opener their season this Saturday at 3 p.m. vs. the Oshawa Outlaws at Children’s Arena before returning home to Millbrook Arena on January 4 to host the Paris RiverWolves. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 for adults and $5 for children under 14. Season ticket information is forthcoming.
