Port Perry's Brad MacArthur is still making his mark in lacrosse

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

For fans of the Port Perry MoJacks, in the early 1990s, Brad MacArthur was hard to miss as a determined, skilled player, who gave his all every time he hit the ice. After a decorated minor hockey career, he joined his hometown MoJacks, in 1992, playing two seasons in junior hockey. At the same time, he was also excelling in lacrosse, suiting up for the renowned Whitby Warriors junior program.

“I loved every minute playing in Port Perry,” Mr. MacArthur says. “It was special to represent my hometown, and the lessons I learned there really carried over into my lacrosse career. It gave me a sense of pride and responsibility.”

Mr. MacArthur’s passion for both sports eventually led him to focus on lacrosse, where he built an extraordinary career as a player and coach. He starred at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, in North Carolina, from 1995 to 1998, helping the Knights win consecutive Deep South Conference titles, earning All-America honours, and being named league Player of the Year, twice.

His professional career began in 1999, when he was drafted fifth overall by Rochester, in the National Lacrosse League. Over seven years, he played for Rochester, Montreal, Calgary, and Toronto, appearing in three league finals and winning the NLL Champions Cup, with the Calgary Roughnecks, in 2004. Closer to home, he was part of the Brooklin Redmen team which captured the Mann Cup in 2000, one of lacrosse’s most prestigious trophies.

Yet, it’s in coaching MacArthur has left his biggest mark. For nearly 30 years, he has guided players and programs across Canada and internationally. As Head Coach and General Manager of Israel Lacrosse, he led the national indoor team to a gold medal, at the 2017 European Box Championships, and multiple top-five finishes at the World Indoor Championships. His contributions earned him the 2016 Israel Lacrosse Man of the Year Award.

In Canada, he guided the Clarington Green Gaels to a Founders Cup national championship, in 2002, and led the Barrie Blizzard to Canadian Lacrosse League Coach of the Year honours, in 2015. He also managed the Brooklin Lacrosse Club and the Whitby Steelhawks, helping establish them as competitive programs.

In February of 2022, MacArthur took on a new challenge as Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach, at Florida Tech University. Entering his fifth season, in 2026, he has already helped the Panthers post a 22-20 record, earn 15 All-Sunshine State Conference selections, produce four All-Americans, and celebrate the program’s first-ever Freshman of the Year, in 2024.

“Coaching at Florida Tech has been an incredible opportunity,” Mr. MacArthur reflected. “The game has given me so much, and being able to help develop young athletes, both on and off the field, is something I take great pride in. My goal is always to leave the program stronger than I found it.”

From skating for the MoJacks, in front of friends and family, at Scugog Arena, to coaching internationally, Mr. MacArthur’s journey has been remarkable. Through it all, he hasn’t forgotten his roots.

“I still think back to those nights in Port Perry and the people who supported me,” he said. “That community shaped who I am today, and I’ll always be grateful for it.”