Gil Lay Memorial Arena
Photos courtesy of Can-Am Lacrosse League FB
Sunday, July 24th, the Can-Am Lacrosse League held a Hall of Fame induction ceremony for 3 of its players. The inductees include Kervin “Huck” John for 2019, Jeffrey Gill and Dennis “Smokey” Lay for the 2022 Hall of Fame. Dennis’ award was received by his grandsons during the ceremony. The induction took place at the Gil Lay Memorial Arena just before the match between the Tonawanda Braves and the Onondaga RedHawks.
Kervin John | A.K.A. “Herbie” or “Huck”
2019 Can-Am Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee
Kervin John began playing in the Can-Am in 1974 at 15 years of age with the Newtown Golden Eagles. On weeknights, he would play with his midget team, and on the weekends he would play with the men. In 2009, after a 35-year career in the Can-Am and NALA and at the age of 50, Kervin decided to retire from the Can-Am.
Since 2003, Kerv has been playing in the Nations Cup Tournaments with his nephews and great nephews alike. He remains the oldest player to play among 3 generations of his family. He hopes to retire from the Nations Cup at the age of 60, but will not hesitate to pick up the stick again when his son calls on him to play once again.
Teams & Accomplishments:
- NALA
- Newtown Golden Eagles 1974-1981
- Can-Am
- Buffalo/Ft. Erie Braves 1982-1986
- Newtown Golden Eagles 1986-1988
- Niagara Tomahawks 1988-1989
- Brantford Wolves 1990-1993
- Tuscarora Thunderhawks 1993-1998
- Pinewoods Smoke 1998
- Buffalo Creek Thunder 2009
- Buffalo Renegades 1990-1991 (semi-pro winter league)
President’s Cup Appearances:
- 1983 Owen Sound, ON (Newtown) Silver medal
- 1986 Surrey, BC (Newtown) Silver medal
- 1987 Sarnia, ON (Newtown) Bronze medal
- 1993 (Tuscarora)1994 Hamilton, ON (Tuscarora) Gold medal
- 1998 Niagara Falls, ON (Tuscarora
Accomplishments:
- Established the Niagara Turtle Islanders, Family Sr. B Women’s team in OWBLL
- Played through four decades in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 20’s
- Life-long player and coach
Jeffrey L. Gill
2022 Can-Am Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee
Newtown Golden Eagles
Jeff Gill is a member of the Seneca Nation, and Heron Clan. He resides on the Cattaraugus Territory with his wife Clarice, who have been married for 40 years. Together they have two sons and two grandchildren, who continue to carry on their father’s lacrosse legacy. Jeff began playing Minor Lacrosse for Newtown Golden Eagles in 1966 at age 8. Throughout the years, Jeff consistently contributed to lacrosse as a player, head coach and now a veteran of the game.
- 1975 Niagara Warriors Jr. B Lacrosse
1976 Member of the first boys lacrosse team at Gowanda Central School - 1977-1978 North Country Community College Men’s Lacrosse
- 1978 1st Team All American for North Country Community College
- 1977 St. Regis Mohawks Jr. B Lacrosse
- 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983 Can-Am Lacrosse League High Scorer
- 1980 Nations 80 World Lacrosse Championship – North American Natives/Warriors, won Silver Medal. Jeff took MVP of the Gold Medal Game
- 1981 West Coast League High Scorer for North Shore Indians – won bronze medal at President’s Cup. Called up to New Westminster Salmonbellies Sr. A-Mann Cup Gold medal
- 1982-1983 Can-Am League High Scorer
- 1986 Member of the President’s Cup Silver Medalist – Newtown Golden Eagles
- 1996 Head Coach Newtown Golden Eagles Sr. B team
- 2010 President of Newtown Golden Eagles organization
- 2017 Inducted into the North Country Community College Athletic Hall of Fame for Men’s Lacrosse
Dennis M. Lay
2022 Can-Am Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee
Newtown Golden Eagles
July 31, 1947 – February 2, 2021
Dennis M. Lay was a member of the Seneca Nation and turtle clan. As a lifelong resident of the Cattaraugus Territory, Dennis would pride himself in his love for family, his people and lacrosse. At the age of 15, Dennis began his lacrosse career playing on the Newtown Men’s team since there was no minor organization for him to play with at the time. Throughout his lacrosse career, he was known for his defensive skills and received various awards for his style of play from Defensive Player of the Year to All-Star Team invitations.
- 1967 Selected to play in the expo of ’67 but had broken his ankle and could not participate
- 1979-1989 Head Coach for Newtown Golden Eagles Sr. B team
- 1980 Silver Medal at President’s Cup in Valley Field, Montreal with Newtown Golden Eagles
- 1986 Silver Medal at President’s Cup in Surrey, British Columbia
- 1990 Newtown Master’s Lacrosse
Dennis was the President for the Newtown Golden Eagles Sr. B team until the time he passed away in 2021. He was definitely a legendary icon in the lacrosse realm. If there were stats or records from the early 1960’s until the 1970’s, Dennis would definitely have shattered some records. All we have are memories, and old stories of Ole’ Smokey.
