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“I started playing when I was
4 years hold and it just went from there. Most of the kids in our
neighbourhood played so it was just something you did." So began the
lacrosse career of Steve Kent, who would join his brothers, Rick, Greg
& Barry and go on to play for the Oshawa Green Gaels in the late 70’s
and early 80’s. “I was brought up from the minors to fill in for
suspended or injured players. Don’t remember much about that.” Yet in
1981, Steve managed 5 goals and 10 assists in his 20 game rookie
year.
When asked about memorable
team mates over the years, Steve enthusiastically replies, “To many to
remember!!!! Guy Morey, the Upshaw brothers, the Richards brothers,
Al Butler, my brothers Rick Greg and Barry, the Passfield brothers,
Gerry Fitzgerald, Tom Wreggitt (Slick), Emil Labaj, Derek Keenan (Jammer),
the Kashul brothers, Todd Smegal, Trent Montgomery, Steve Skeen, Derek
Cambell, Dean Brown, Joe Roznik, And many more!” Steve’s coaches
include the legendary Jim Bishop and Peter Vipond as well as Dennis
Brown and Al Austin.
Steve, along with Greg & Barry
would suit up for the final Oshawa Green Gael game, a loss to the
rival Peterborough James Gang. While the James Gang went on to win
the Minto Cup that year, the Green Gaels folded operations in Oshawa.
But all was not lost for Steve, “Having my picture up in the Civic
Auditorium. My kids get a kick out of that. The final year I was
chosen to be captain of the team.”
Steve wasn’t finished with
Junior A lacrosse however, “I played for the Gaels up until they
folded. I was drafted by Peterborough, but played for the (Oshawa)
Blue Knights field lacrosse team. I had to miss a year but it turned
out to be well worth it as I played my last year with the Whitby
Warriors and was a part of the Canadian champs (Minto Cup).
So what is Steve up to now?
“I’m currently working for Ontario Power Generation at Pickering as a
Supervisor in the Radiation Protection Field. I’m vary active in my
children’s sports (swimming and soccer ).“ Although not currently
active in the lacrosse community Steve still enjoys watching the game
from time to time, “I think it’s great! It’s a team sport like none
other! It’s a tough and fast game. I have gone to see a few Rock
games.”
Thanks Steve, best wishes for
you and your family! |
