Kitchener lacrosse player named region’s Athlete of the Year
Posted Jun 4, 2025 03:13:23 PM.
Last Updated Jun 4, 2025 04:52:21 PM.
A lacrosse player born in Kitchener received the 2024 Waterloo Region Athlete of the Year award after his climb to the professional league.
Dhane Smith was honoured on June 3 and recognized for competing in the highest level of the sport and representing the region on an international stage. According to the release, Smith is a “standout” in the fastest sport on two feet.
He first made waves locally in 2012 with the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves, earning the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League MVP honours and was then drafted that same year to the Buffalo Bandits.
Over 10 seasons in the National Lacrosse League, Smith scored 950 points in 161 games and holds the record for the most goals, assists and points in a single season.
“A proven leader, he helped power the Bandits to back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024, earning championship MVP honours in 2023,” the release said.
The same night, the inaugural Outstanding Athletic Achievement award was handed out.
Golden Hawk quarterback Taylor Elgersma was honoured with the award, which recognizes a regional athlete competing in various levels of sport from high school to masters’ events.
He delivered a “historic” 2024 season, leading Wilfrid Laurier University to a perfect 8-0 regular season and the Yates Cup.
“A proud product of WLU, Elgersma finished his university career with more than 10,000 passing yards and 78 touchdowns—cementing his legacy in Canadian university football,” the release reads.
He is also the first U Sports quarterback to be invited to the Senior Bowl.
The region has honoured local sport since 1999 through the Athlete of the Year program.
