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Bob McCready, Ted Howe and Gary Moore with the Mann Cup.

Although we’re coming up on almost two years now that the lacrosse world lost one of its true greats, the city of St. Catharines continues to recognize the legendary Bob ‘Buff’ McCready, who will be inducted into the St. Kitts Sports Hall of Fame later this month.

McCready, an Ontario and Canadian Hall of Fame goaltender, who was maybe best known for his revolutionary style of play, passed away in June of 2007.

The St. Catharines Standard has a really great rewind on Buff’s phenominal career, looking at not only his stellar play between the pipes, but for those that remember McCready, his play elsewhere on the court too. One of a kind doesn’t begin to describe him.

“Bobby was a real tough competitor,” said former teammate Gary Moore in the Standard’s tribute to ‘Buff’. “He was a good goaltender and he sort of changed the way goalie was played because he would make a save and then rush up the floor and lead a fast break.”

McCready was also the Buffalo Bandits’ first ever head coach, later spending time with the Rochester Knighthawks before rejoining the Bandits as the team’s goalkeeper coach, a role he served in right up until his passing.

They city will be holding a ceremony for ‘Buff’ and four other 2009 inductees on April 28th at Club Roma, prior to the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre Sports Celebrity Dinner.

Plus the links

• For great interviews and more pictures like the one of Buff and the boys above, check out the History of the A’s: AthleticsLacrosse.com
• More on Cody Jamieson’s green light, “I’m happy that this is behind me, and I look forward to helping the team out any way that I can.”: The Daily Orange
• Jr. Timbermen think they have their best roster yet, “On paper, right now, I believe it is. I think we’ve probably gotten twice as strong and twice as fast.” Tyson Leies: Nanaimo News Bulletin
• National Lacrosse League Top 5 Plays of the Week, starring Sean Morris‘ slick OT winner against the Banditos: NLL.com
• Pat O’Toole leads the pack in POTW nods: NLL.com
• Paddy answers fans questions, if knee holds up he might be a Laker again this summer: Rochester Knighthawks
• The softer side of Meat (awesomely titled by the Stealth), not what you think: San Francisco Chronicle
• “Ray’s performance last Friday night was inspirational. It’s nice to see him get some recognition around the league for his heart and commitment.” Steve Govett on Ray Guze: Colorado Mammoth
• Matt Flindell, Cory Conway and Cayle Ratcliff might be gone, but Jr. Shamrocks still like their chances for a return to the Minto in ‘09: Times Colonist
• The infamous Turtle Dome will be busy this year: Standard Freeholder
• “We’re a hard-working team. You can load up your team in the end, but it might be too late by then. The players we pick in the first couple of games are usually who we stay with. I’m not one to cut a player because we have a superstar coming in.” Nitro head honcho Jim Johnston: Peterborough Examiner
• Corey Fowler and other top studs will be back soon for Thunderhawks: Niagara This Week
• Merchants hoping 10-year anniversary will be a good one: News Durham Region
• “My Canadian coach knew I could play, and he pushed me. He also helped me enter summer recruiting tournaments where the best coaches in the country looked for players.” Kyle Bergman: TheTriangle.org
• Stephen Keogh emerges as top finisher for Orange men’s lacrosse: Syracuse.com
• Likely 2009 NLL entry draft first rounder, Joel Dalgarno, impressive through not only skill, but dedication too: The Columbus Dispatch
• Canuck Jay Card gets props for his clutch play for The Pride: Hofstra Pride Examiner

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