Hogansburg, NY, Sep 17, 2012 — Akwesasne is celebrating the return of a sports hero today. Lacrosse goalie Mike Thompson was declared the Most Valuable Player after winning North America's biggest lacrosse championship, the Mann Cup, on Saturday.

Thompson's team, the Peterborough Lakers, was losing two games to none against the Langley Thunder. The Lakers' younger goalie was pulled in favor of 36 year-old Thompson in game three. The Lakers went on to rattle off four straight wins with Thompson in goal and win the team's second Mann Cup in three years.

Thompson announced his retirement from the Buffalo Bandits major league lacrosse team earlier this year. He says this may also be his last game with the Lakers because he wants to spend more time with his family and training lacrosse players in Akwesasne.

David Sommerstein profiled Mike Thompson in May 2011. Here's that story.  Go to full article

Hogansburg, NY, Jun 20, 2012 — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, near Massena, is hosting a day devoted to the game of lacrosse. The event, at Generations Park in Hogansburg, will include some of the best Mohawk lacrosse players, demonstrations, workshops, art exhibits and a couple of field lacrosse games. As part of National Aboriginal Day on Thursday, the game's more serious and spiritual role in indigenous cultures will be explored. Todd Moe spoke with Peter Garrow, chairman of the "Our History, Our Game" event. He says it's being organized by members of the Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame, who want to pass on their skills and knowledge to a new generation.  Go to full article

Hogansburg, NY, May 06, 2011 — The hockey and basketball playoffs are at full throttle. But there's another professional sport deep in the title series - the national lacrosse league. Tomorrow, the Buffalo Bandits, one of the league's winningest franchises, takes on the Toronto Rock in the semifinals. The Bandits are led by goalie Mike Thompson, a Mohawk who lives in Akwesasne. Thompson's had an incredible year and an incredible career, having won both major North American lacrosse championships. David Sommerstein visited him at home and has this profile.  Go to full article