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CEBL Announces Executive Appointments

April 5, 2023

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the promotion of two league office officials to new positions under an executive leadership structure that reflects the continued rapid growth of Canada’s largest pro sports league. Commissioner and Co-Founder Mike Morreale has appointed CEBL executive vice president John Lashway to Deputy Commissioner, and league vice president Josh Knoester to Chief Operating Officer effective May 1.


All three executives have been with the CEBL since it began and have led the development of the league from a six-team startup to a 10-team FIBA affiliated league licensed by Canada Basketball and considered to be among the best of the 200 FIBA leagues around the world.


“The demands resulting from the continuous growth of the CEBL, the purchase of six clubs by new owners since September, and more growth on the horizon, calls for an enhanced leadership structure within our league office to leverage opportunities and continue to thrive,” said Morreale. “John Lashway and Josh Knoester have played crucial roles since the beginning that has enabled us to grow through the pandemic and position us for further growth year after year. Our league staff is recognized domestically and internationally for its excellence, and Knoester and Lashway have been instrumental in creating and sustaining that reputation.”


Lashway has served a dual role for the CEBL as executive vice president in the league office and president of the Brampton Honey Badgers since that franchise launched in Hamilton in the inaugural season. In his new role as Deputy Commissioner, Lashway will support Morreale with matters between the Commissioner’s Office and team owners, coaches and players, develop new initiatives to grow the CEBL brand, and serve as a conduit between teams and the league office.


As a result of Lashway’s appointment, Ottawa BlackJacks team president Michael Cvitkovic will be relocating to Brampton to become President of the Honey Badgers. Cvitkovic was on staff with the Honey Badgers in 2019 before being named president of the BlackJacks when they became the league’s seventh franchise in 2020. Lashway and Cvitkovic worked together with the Toronto Raptors organization for five years.


Knoester has been accountable for leading all aspects of operations and administration for the CEBL since joining Morreale and Founder Richard Petko in creating the original vision for the league in 2017. He has overseen the operations of each Petko-owned franchise, played a key role in the creation and adherence to league protocols and procedures that have sustained the high standards the CEBL is known for, served as a liaison between teams and their local municipalities, led the execution of the annual CEBL Championship Weekend, and collaborated with FIBA and Canada Basketball in hosting international events. A graduate of Brock University, Knoester began his career with the Niagara River Lions in sales and operations roles.


With 22 years of senior executive experience in the NBA (Portland, Toronto), 10 in the NHL (Toronto), experience in the CFL, minor league baseball, NCAA Division 1, Olympic sports, and being involved in the construction of seven arenas and stadiums, Lashway’s resume is unsurpassed by sports executives in Canada. Under his leadership with the Honey Badgers, the team reached the CEBL Championship game twice in four seasons, winning the title in 2022, and having 50 players sign contracts with the NBA, NBA G League or top international pro leagues. Lashway has helped form strategic basketball and media alliances that have elevated the CEBL brand around the world. He has played a key role in guiding the league through start-up and the COVID-19 pandemic.


In addition to leading the Ottawa BlackJacks, who served as host for the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend, Cvitkovic has overseen broadcasting for the CEBL, installed NBA-level communications practices, and was also central to the league navigating through the pandemic. The CEBL will commence a search to fill the president’s role with the BlackJacks. Knoester, Cvitkovic and other league office members will work closely with Ottawa staff until a new team president is named.


A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps last October. The 2023 CEBL season tips off May 24 with the Brampton Honey Badgers visiting the Ottawa BlackJacks in a game that will be nationally televised on TSN. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa de la Ligue Élite Canadienne de Basketball (LECB), la plus grande ligue professionnelle de basketball au Canada et membre de la Fédération internationale de basketball (FIBA), ont annoncé aujourd'hui que David DeAveiro a été embauché comme quatrième entraîneur-chef dans l'histoire de l'équipe. Avec l'embauche de DeAveiro (prononcé deh-VEERO), l'ancien entraîneur-chef et directeur général intérimaire, James Derouin, a été promu au poste exclusif de directeur général à temps plein du club. « Ottawa occupe une place particulière dans ma vie. C'est là que j'ai élu domicile, que j'ai élevé mes enfants et que j'ai développé ma passion pour le basketball », a déclaré M. DeAveiro. « La région de la capitale a une riche histoire d'excellence en matière de basketball et je suis fier de diriger la seule équipe professionnelle de la capitale nationale. Je suis enthousiasmé par l'avenir de la franchise des BlackJacks d'Ottawa et je suis honoré de diriger cette équipe à l'avenir, alors que nous nous efforçons d'atteindre notre objectif ultime, soit de remporter le championnat de la LECB. » Entraîneur adjoint des BlackJacks depuis la saison 2020-21, DeAveiro est actuellement entraîneur-chef du programme masculin des Bold de l'Université métropolitaine de Toronto, où il a compilé une fiche de 63-38 de jeu en ligue au cours des quatre dernières saisons. Avant d'arriver à TMU, DeAveiro a été entraîneur-chef du programme masculin de l'Université McGill pendant 10 ans et de l'équipe masculine des Gee-Gees de l'Université d'Ottawa pendant neuf campagnes, menant ses équipes à huit tournois de championnat national. Avec 457 victoires, DeAverio occupe actuellement le neuvième rang sur la liste des victoires de tous les entraîneurs de basketball masculin de USPORTS. Au cours de sa carrière d'entraîneur universitaire, DeAveiro a remporté neuf prix d'entraîneur de l'année, dont trois dans l'Est des SUO et six dans la conférence du RSEQ. Il a également été entraîneur adjoint de nombreuses équipes nationales canadiennes, notamment aux niveaux senior, de développement et junior, ce qui l'a amené à remporter une médaille d'argent aux Jeux du Commonwealth en Australie à l'été 2018. Diplômé de l'Université d'Ottawa et de l'Université Brock, DeAveiro a joué cinq saisons pour les Gee-Gees de 1984-85 à 1988-89. Il a également fondé le club de basket-ball Ottawa Next Level à Kanata, en Ontario, une organisation qui, depuis plus de 30 ans, se concentre sur le développement d'habiletés de qualité, la promotion d'un bon esprit sportif et le respect des autres, tout en permettant aux jeunes d'Ottawa de jouer au basketball en réalisant leur plein potentiel. Il est actuellement possible d'acheter des forfaits de billets flexibles en visitant le site https://www.theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/tickets . Les abonnements de saison des BlackJacks 2025 sont disponibles dès maintenant. Pour plus de détails, les amateurs sont invités à envoyer un courriel à [email protected] ou à composer le 613-690-0519. À propos des BlackJacks d'Ottawa Première franchise d'expansion de la Ligue de basket-ball de l'élite canadienne (LBEC), les BlackJacks d'Ottawa présentent le meilleur du basket-ball et du divertissement dans la capitale nationale. Le bureau de direction d'Ottawa apporte à la franchise son expérience de la NBA, de la NBA G League, de l'équipe nationale, de la NCAA et des grandes ligues professionnelles internationales. Dirigée par le directeur général James Derouin et l'entraîneur-chef Dave DeAveiro, l'équipe d'Ottawa joue ses matchs à domicile dans l'aréna de classe mondiale de la Place TD, dans le parc Lansdowne. Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site theblackjacks.ca . À propos du CEBL La CEBL est une équipe créée par des Canadiens pour des Canadiens, avec pour objectif de développer des joueurs, des entraîneurs, des responsables sportifs et des arbitres canadiens. Elle compte le plus grand nombre de joueurs canadiens de toute autre équipe professionnelle dans le pays, avec 75% de ses équipes étant canadiennes et un record de 12 joueurs NBA en 2024. Les joueurs apportent également leur expérience de la NBA G League, des meilleures ligues internationales de professionnels, du programme national canadien, des programmes NCAA, ainsi que de U SPORTS et de CCAA. 22 joueurs ont signé des contrats NBA après une saison CEBL, et de nombreux joueurs CEBL participent à des camps de formation NBA G League chaque année. La saison CEBL se déroule de mai à août, avec des matchs diffusés en direct sur CEBL+ avec BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment et Courtside1891 . On peut trouver davantage d'informations sur le CEBL sur CEBL.ca et @cebleague sur Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook et YouTube . Contactez-nous sur les réseaux sociaux: Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks X: @Ott_BlackJacks Instagram: ottawablackjacks
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January 22, 2025
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced that Barry Rawlyk will return as General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations for his seventh season with the team. The Rattlers are working on assembling their roster ahead of 2025 CEBL Free Agency under Rawlyk’s leadership while utilizing his connections in the basketball world. “We are excited to extend Barry Rawlyk’s contract. He has an unbelievable knack for finding amazing talent both on the Canadian front and on the intricate import player side,” said Rattlers President, Lee Genier. “He plays an integral role in the management and success of the team as we continue to grow. We saw incredible talent come through the Rattlers organization in 2024 with record setting results, and we look forward to taking the next step in 2025.” Rawlyk celebrates his sixth year as General Manager, and seventh with the team after serving as the lead assistant coach and recruitment of the roster during the 2019 Championship season. Over the last three seasons, Rawlyk was instrumental in securing some of the best talent in the league with Tony Carr, Justin Wright-Foreman, and Jalen Harris. Rawlyk served as the eighth head coach in University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s basketball history, holding multiple program records. He took the helm in an interim position in the 2010-11 season. In May 2012, he was officially named head coach of the men’s basketball program. During the 2010-11 season, Rawlyk led the Huskies to a fourth-place finish at the CIS (now U SPORTS) Championship and a second-place finish in Canada West. The following season, the team finished in first in their conference and hosted the Canada West Final Four for the first time in the program’s history. Prior to joining the Huskies, Rawlyk spent over two decades coaching with Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon. During his time with the Crusaders, he led them to 11 City Championships as well as three Provincial Championships. “It is a privilege to remain with the Rattlers for 2025. The opportunity to work with Rattlers President Lee Genier and the rest of the staff, as we work to build the Rattlers brand will be both exciting and rewarding,” said Rawlyk. “We have a blueprint in place for building a roster that will compete in a very challenging environment and give our fans a lot to be excited about.” Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency opens February 1, 2025 with player announcements to follow. The full 2025 Rattlers schedule has been released, which features a new 24-game slate. The 2025 CEBL Playoffs are scheduled to begin Thursday, August 14 with the Conference Play-In games, followed by the Conference Semifinals on Saturday, August 16. The winners will advance to CW25 to join the Winnipeg Sea Bears (host team) and the top-ranked team from the Eastern Conference who are automatically seeded into the Conference Finals. The full playoff schedule with tipoff times will be announced at a later date. General public and returning season ticket members can claim their seats for the entire Rattlers 2025 season by using Account Manager . Season tickets starting at $235 in the bronze. All tickets can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website , or via Ticketmaster . The Holiday Pack can be purchased online or at the Rattlers Front Office , which features four-tickets in any section with a bonus gift card. Single game tickets will be available later this spring. For more seating options, suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive . About the Saskatchewan Rattlers The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six original teams in the CEBL – the Rattlers won the 2019 inaugural season championship. Playing out of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Rattlers offer an entertainment-focused environment surrounded by some of the world’s top professional athletes. The Rattlers are a community-first organization and take pride in their ability to bring communities together while making sport more accessible to the province. About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Twenty-two players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891 . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team - visit therattlers.ca . 
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The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that Jermaine Anderson will once again lead the club as general manager and vice president of basketball operations, returning for a sixth season with the organization. Since being appointed general manager in December 2019, the Honey Badgers have accumulated a 43-43 (.500) overall record, featuring four consecutive CEBL Playoff appearances (2020-23), two CEBL Championship Weekend appearances (2020, 2022), and a CEBL Championship in 2022. “Despite experiencing some turnover over the past two years, our organization’s core values remain steadfast,” said Anderson. “We take immense pride in delivering a comprehensive and holistic player development experience. We are confident that we are well-positioned to foster a culture that empowers our players to excel both on and off the court.” During Anderson’s tenure, 10 players have elevated their careers to the NBA G League with four players signing contracts with NBA clubs, including Javonte Cooke (Oklahoma City Thunder), Lindell Wigginton (Milwaukee Bucks), Christian Vital (Toronto Raptors), and Nino Johnson (Utah Jazz). Since 2020, 75 of the 96 players who have worn the black and gold pinstripes have played professionally around the world in the fall following the season, excluding six players who returned to their respective university basketball programs. “Jermaine (Anderson) shares our organization's vision of creating a great experience for all our players which allows them to reach their full potential into the next stages of their careers,” said Josie Pingitore, vice president of the Brampton Honey Badgers. “He has built both a competitive and positive culture amongst our players, coaches, and staff, making our organization a desirable one to play for.” After joining the Honey Badgers organization more than five years ago, Anderson spent the CEBL off-season as a player development coach with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association from 2019-22. Before transitioning to a front office role, Anderson had an impressive 14-year playing career (2004-18) that totaled more than 80 international games representing Canada. He also suited up in 294 games for 15 teams in eight different countries across Europe from 2008-17. An Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute graduate, Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing while playing at Fordham University. He averaged 10.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 30.2 minutes in 111 games during a four-year tenure with the Rams. Following his playing career, Anderson became a player development coach for Canada Basketball, handling player relations duties that ensured players had access to training facilities and health care across the country. In 2018, Anderson founded the Fifty For Free Youth Community Initiative, a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto and Halifax focused on building character, cultivating financial literacy, and developing basketball skills with youth from underserved communities. Anderson’s announcement follows the reveal of the Honey Badgers expanded 2025 schedule in December, featuring a slate of 24 games. Brampton’s campaign opens on the road May 18 against the Montreal Alliance, followed by a visit to the nation’s capital May 21 to take on the Ottawa BlackJacks. The Honey Badgers will then return home to host the Scarborough Shooting Stars on May 25 in the club’s home opener. Ticket packages to catch all of the action at the CAA Centre are now available, including season tickets , half season pack , group experiences , and more! Visit honeybadgers.ca/tickets or contact [email protected] for more information. ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. Twenty-two players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891 . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . 
December 18, 2024
The holiday season is about spending time and celebrating with friends and loved ones while also supporting important causes and initiatives in the community. The Honey Badgers front office staff visited the Regeneration Marketplace and the Regeneration Marketplace on Tuesday afternoon to sort food donations, portion meals, stock shelves and assist guests with food selection. “As leaders in our Brampton community, it is extremely important for us to collaborate with local organizations that continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others on a daily basis,” said Josie Pingitore, vice president of the Brampton Honey Badgers. “Our organization is committed to continue to make strides in our community growth, not only during the holiday season but throughout the calendar year.” Regeneration Marketplace is a local food bank in the heart of downtown Brampton, operating to provide quality, helpful food and household items for those in need in the community. Open 365 days a year, they proudly serve 39,000+ meals annually with more than 1,100 households receiving the necessary food and goods on a weekly basis. “Right now we are just inundated with donations, and the work the Honey Badgers did to help us sort saved us so much time,” said Katie Cleland, director of development at Regeneration Outreach Community. “This will help us get the food on the shelves much quicker so that we can serve more people this week.” The Honey Badgers staff were also joined by Amisha Moorjani, owner of The Food Quotient, and Rod Power, City of Brampton Councillor of Wards 7 and 8. This is one of many initiatives that the Honey Badgers and Councillor Power have collaborated on this holiday season, including turkey drives and Christmas dinners for underprivileged youth. To learn more about how you can contribute to the Regeneration Office & Meal Program or Regeneration Marketplace, please contact [email protected] or visit www.regenbrampton.com .
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