William “Larry” Kendall

William “Larry” Kendall

Larry Kendall, affectionately known as "Buck", was a prominent Brampton athlete of the 1950's in both junior hockey and lacrosse earning the title of scoring ace. In 1953/1954 Larry captained the Brampton Midgets who went on to capture their first Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Minor Midget Hockey title. In the 1956/1957 season Larry joined the Metro Junior B Hockey League playing centre for the Brampton Regents who won their first league title that year. Larry played with the Brampton Regents again during the 1956/1957 and 1957/1958 seasons capturing the League Leading Scoring title consecutively beating out future NHL stars Dave Keon in 1957 and Bruce Draper in 1958. During the 1957/1958 season with the Brampton Regents he received the Calvert Distillers Trophy for Most Valuable Player. In 1957 and 1958 Larry was selected to play in the Metro Junior B All Star Games and was the top goal scorer in both All Star Games.

Larry played lacrosse and captained the Brampton Excelsiors during the 1954/1955 season at the Midget B competitive level. In 1954/1955 he won the Midget B, Most Valuable Player Award playing as a forward and won the Ontario Midget B Lacrosse Championship. Larry won the Canadian Minto Cup Junior Championship twice in 1957 and 1958.

Larry gave back to the game and to his community by coaching the Brampton Junior A Excelsiors to the Canadian (Eastern) Championship and Minto Cup Finals in 1962. In 1963 he coached the Brampton Junior A Excelsiors to an O.L.A. Championship. Larry left a legacy as a strong player, coach and leader. He was an outstanding player throughout his career, respected both on and off the field. Larry joins his Father Gerald (Jerry) Kendall, an outstanding athlete in Brampton and esteemed member of both the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Inducted May 12, 2011