Article from Barrie Examiner.
I recall seeing him play for Collingwood , not sure what other teams he was with. Pretty sure he went to Hull then US school for lacrosse. Some of the regulars may recall.
"God's speed"


When duty calls
Posted 1 day ago

The wars waged in arenas across North America just won't compare for Bryan Riddell, a former professional lacrosse player about to head out on his first tour of Afghanistan as a member of the Canadian Forces.

While there are similarities between the lacrosse and military lifestyles for the former Barrie Lakeshores defender -- the words determination and challenge come to mind -- there's an obvious, palpable difference.

War is a separate animal, after all. Comparatively, those overtime heroics, as thrilling as they were, don't stack up.

Riddell loved -- and still loves -- lacrosse, a game he has played most of his life and saw through to the professional level.

But for the former Barrie-area resident -- who pulled an almost Axl Rose-like move two years ago when, just as he was entering his prime, he gave up lacrosse entirely -- there are no regrets about his path into the military.

The bruising, unabashed kid with the wheels, who played one season for the Toronto Rock on the Air Canada Centre floor in 2007, is now Lt. Bryan Riddell, with the Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

About to go to war.

He's put his stick down and taken up a rifle, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

"It didn't take me long into my training to realize this is for me," Riddell said from Edmonton, where he's been stationed since last September. "This is what I want, and this is what I can see myself doing for the rest of my life."

For the longest time, lacrosse was all that mattered to Riddell, who was raised in Oshawa and starred for Whitby in his junior days before the family moved to Horseshoe Valley late in his high school years.

In fact, landing a pro lacrosse contract was just about all that mattered a few years back.

"I remember, I was at the very first Toronto Rock game ever played, back at Maple Leaf Gardens," said Riddell, who also played hockey at the major junior level. "And I caught a ball in the stands. I kept it in my bedroom. It was a reminder to me of what I wanted to achieve, what my dream was."

That dream was realized when the Rock drafted him as a fourth-rounder. But in his first season on the team's starting roster, another dream took root.

Born into a service-driven family -- his parents, Gus and Bea, have been with the Ontario Provincial Police for years, while his older brother, Rob, is a military man -- Riddell felt the call of duty.

So he left the Rock less than one season into his pro tenure. Days before the storied Toronto franchise was about to face Rochester in a semifinal playoff game that April, Riddell was given his release.

"My last game in a Toronto Rock uniform was in 2007 April 13, I think. The very next day, I was in my car, heading to (CFB) St. Jean, near Montreal, for basic operations training," Riddell said.

"I think the team was upset at first, because he was playing so well. His game was definitely on the up," said Brad MacArthur, a Barrie resident, and former professional lacrosse defenceman who was a teammate of Riddell's with the Lakeshores, and then with the Rock.

"Selfishly, from a personal level, I know that sounds horrible, but he was just starting to enter his prime ... He's a physical specimen, and the way the NLL was going, with wanting guys who are fast and strong, he's the prototypical player that would fit into today's game."

The pair car-pooled from Barrie to Toronto for a few seasons, while Riddell was on the Rock's practice squad.

"I don't think anybody was expecting him to leave, considering the timing. It surprised everyone so much," MacArthur said. "But I think, in time, we all realized this is bigger than (lacrosse)."

Innisfil resident Mike Kloepfer said Riddell kept his intentions private until about three days before the playoff game against Rochester. The Lakeshores team president and owner, who was managing the Rock at the time, said he was completely caught off guard.

"It came as a complete surprise. All of a sudden, Bryan was gone, and he was out of lacrosse," Kloepfer said. "It's not something you see every day, somebody coming up to you and saying, 'By the way, I've enlisted in the army.'

"But he was obviously very motivated," Kloepfer added. "It would have been interesting to see if he would have been able to have a solid career at the pro level. I guess you can throw that in the category of 'what if,' or 'what could have been' ... but he obviously had a calling for that, and you just wish him all the best. Thank God for young guys like him."

After Riddell's final game with the Rock, he recalls a conversation he had with his teammate, lacrosse ironman Jim Veltman.

"I remember talking to Veltman and telling him I'm going to miss the guys. He said, 'Yeah, but you're part of a bigger team now.'

"I've never forgotten that," Riddell said. "It was very emotional for me, for sure. Especially since I was loving the game so much and the team was putting a lot of faith in me. It was a tough decision."

Today, it's excitement that fills Riddell's heart. He'll set foot on foreign soil next month and begin to put into practise the training he's undergone with the Canadian military. As part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, Riddell will serve with the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team, which works to train local military and police groups.

"It's a key component to NATO's ISAF mission towards (empowering) the Afghan National Army," Riddell said. "I'll command a small team embedded in the (Afghan National Army) company."

For Riddell, it was never a question of wanting to serve his country, but he wanted to do so sooner than later. And if lacrosse had to take a backseat because of it, so be it.

"For me, I was looking for a challenge outside the arena that would test me. I think that's what it was. I wanted to experience a life outside of lacrosse," said Riddell, adding his family has been a supportive influence throughout the decision.

"My experience going to school in North Carolina (St. Andrew's College), being in the U. S. -- and I've been overseas, too, studying abroad -- everywhere I went, my pride in Canada just grew and grew. For me, just the pride I feel in being able to serve, it's a tremendous honour.

"Lacrosse was something I was doing mostly for me," he added. "With this, it's a chance to go beyond that and do something for others. If I can continue to help the Afghan people to secure their own country, then that's a great opportunity for me," he added.

Don't count out a return to lacrosse eventually, though. While his equipment goes everywhere with Riddell, he hasn't been able to play since leaving the Rock.

But give it time.

"I fully intend to come back and play somewhere -- wherever that might be -- once I get back from my tour (in March)," he said. "I do fully intend to play again."

Riddell's parents stand by their son's decision to follow in his brother's military footsteps, and are proud to support his direction.

"I was kind of taken back and a little surprised when he first told us," Gus said, adding Bryan's years of sports involvement will help him to get the job done. "Bryan is very much a team player. He'll do what he needs to do, and what they need him to do. He's always tried to look out for people on his team."

Riddell's mother says she is proud of her son, but finds it difficult to adjust to the idea of him going to war.

"I am in son-going-to- Afghanistan mode right now," Bea said. "I hope he does well. I know he will do well -- he's that kind of person, and I hope he comes home safe."

Like any parents, the Riddells say they are concerned for their child, but they remain positive.

"The only way you can think about it is positive," Gus said.

"It's scary, but I am really proud of him," Bea added. "I want him to keep safe, and keep his mind on what he is doing so he can concentrate."

* with files from Lance Holdforth

Copyright © 2009 The Barrie Examiner

I think its worth reading & bearing in mind. The season hasn't started yet so there's still other issues worth considering.
I'm sure most who post here, players, fans, parents, volunteers, are aware of the many sacrifices players make to play the game we love. For every player there is an individual support system to help get and keep him there.
This story is about a former player in this League who also obviously excelled at lacrosse as well. A HUGE sacrifice on his part to leave sports to join a unit bound for Afghanistan.
I KNOW some of our Armed Forces personnel visit these sights to check up on a family member/friend , hometown team.
Like the article says we wish them safety in their "arena" and recognize their personal sacrifices as well.

If it is the same Bryan Riddell that played for the Bowmanville Eagles...........he is a great kid......er.....I mean man.

Outstanding young man, all the best Brian.