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Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Friday, February 20, 2009

Big Dog Drops Gloves For The Last Time

Announced yesterday, Dan Ladouceur of the Toronto Rock has retired from the National Lacrosse League. Most noted for his tough defending and occasional smack downs, Big Dog leaves the game with a league best 428 regular season penalty minutes. During 10 plus seasons in the NLL, Laddy scored 18 points, 5 goals and 11 assists during the regular season and 1 goal and 1 assist in playoffs. He also earned five championship rings while with the Rock (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 & 2005).

It has been fun watching Big Dog tower over the opposing players over the years but my most vivid memory of his playing was a fight during the 2005 season. The Calgary Roughnecks came to town and the game was a rough one right from the start. The score was out of hand late in the game so frustrations boiled over. Poor Jesse Phillips had the misfortune of squaring off against Ladouceur in the third of five fights during the last minute of play. Phillips found out what it was like to be a rag doll.

Thanks for the memories Big Dog.

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