Commissioner Mark Grimes Concludes Term with the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League
The Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) today announces that Mark Grimes has concluded his leadership term as Commissioner, having remained actively involved behind the scenes through the early stages of the current season.
Since officially informing the Board earlier this year of his decision to resign, Mark has continued to support the league—working diligently to renew key sponsorship agreements and help lay a strong foundation for the next phase of growth.
Mark’s tenure marked a transformative period for the OJLL. Appointed in April 2021, he stepped into leadership during one of the most uncertain times in sport. His successful advocacy with the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Culture and Tourism secured the league’s inclusion in the province’s Return to Play “elite stream”—alongside the OHL and other professional leagues—paving the way for a modified 2021 season. Under his guidance, more than 300 athletes returned to training and competition. The 3-week event saw every game of the season broadcast live, bringing unprecedented visibility to junior lacrosse across North America.
Mark was instrumental in implementing a modernized rule set that made the game faster and more dynamic, while better preparing athletes for the next level. These rule changes were adopted nationally the following year, aligning the way the game is played across Canada’s top junior and senior leagues. His commitment to ensuring that officiating is a critical partner in the OJLL also saw the pioneering of the 3-official system—a change Mark strongly championed to improve safety, game flow, and referee development.
In 2022, the league returned to full operations with renewed energy. One of the many achievements of Mark’s tenure was his leadership during the return of the Minto Cup. From technical execution to national promotion, Mark’s leadership energized the national championship and established the 2022 Minto Cup as a standard-bearer for future events.
Beyond on-floor advancements, Mark elevated the league’s operations to a professional standard—securing multi-year sponsorships and generating new revenue that enabled unprecedented promotion of the league’s players, teams, and events. His commitment to collaboration, growth, and excellence helped solidify the OJLL’s reputation as the best junior lacrosse league in the world.
“I’m proud to have served as Commissioner of what I believe is the best lacrosse league in the world,” said Grimes. “It’s been an honour to follow in the footsteps of the late Dean McLeod and to work alongside so many passionate leaders who care deeply about the game. I want to thank Bob Clevely for his support and contributions to the league and wish Jim Milligan continued success as the new Deputy Commissioner. We’ve raised the profile of the OJLL and laid a strong foundation for its future—and I’m excited to watch it continue to grow from here.”
Six Nations Arrows Governor and OJLL Board Chair Davey Robertson added:
“I would like to personally thank both Mark [Grimes] and Bob [Clevely] for their tireless efforts in bringing the greatest junior box lacrosse league in the world to the next level—through innovative gameplay and securing the resources to elevate the promotion of our players and teams to a professional level. Their contributions will forever be a meaningful part of OJLL history.”
The OJLL Board of Governors extends its sincere thanks to Mark Grimes for his visionary leadership and lasting contributions to the game of lacrosse. His legacy will continue to shape the league for years to come.
In recognition of his decades of public service and contributions to his community and country, Mark was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
While he has chosen not to return as Commissioner, Mark looks forward to staying close to the game, with his grandsons JD and Brodie taking the floor for the Mimico Mountaineers and continuing the family’s lacrosse tradition.