Cory Vitarelli, left, will be one of Peterborough's top threats as John Tavares, weighs his future. (Photo: Tim Prothero)
Is it all crashing down in Peterborough? Not quite, but this summer of 2013 is shaping up to be quite the challenge. And as the Lakers prepare for their season opener tonight, Mike Davies of The Peterborough Examiner takes a closer look at a squad that is losing more than it’s taking in. At least with regard to personnel. Some of the more glaring challenges include John Grant Jr. not being able to commit to a full season, John Tavares and his status, Tracey Kelusky coming off a disappointing NLL season, and Kyle Sorensen informing the team he won’t be able to play this summer. Injuries to Andrew Suitor, Andrew Watt and Mac Allen have them benched for the season as well. Throw in some players who went elsewhere — unhappy with their playing time last season — and the Lakers will be without at least 11 to 13 players from last summer. “In a way, they’ve become victims of their own success,” writes Davies. “With such a strong lineup it was hard to find floor-time for some players, many local, who have decided to play elsewhere.” Not all is lost, though, with players like Cory Vitarelli, Shawn Evans, Jordan MacIntosh, and Mark Steenhuis at the ready along with Tyler Carlson and Kevin Croswell in goal. It just might be a bit more challenging in Peterborough this.