Curtis Ptolemy began his lacrosse career in 1999 and soon played for the Saskatoon Smash JrB team, coached by his dad, Randy Trobak. Curtis was a dominant player in the JrB-PGLL league being named to the PGLL All Star team three times, while also making four Founder's Cup appearances. In 2005 Curtis was the JrB-PGLL leading scorer and was also named to the Founders Cup All Star Team.
In 2005, Curtis also made the trek out to BC to try out for the Burnaby Lakers. They were impressed with his playing, but was told to go home work on his physicality and his defensive play. Curtis took this as a challenge and spent the next year improving his play and physical condition before returning to Burnaby for the 2006 tryouts. The coaches were impressed with his drive and ambition to do exactly what was asked of him. He earned a spot on the 2006 Burnaby Lakers Junior A team. The next two summers would be spent in Burnaby playing under Coach Curt Malawsky, the current Calgary Roughnecks head coach. The Lakers went on to win two BC Championships and made two Minto Cup appearances with Curtis in the lineup.
The 2008 NLL entry draft was held during the 2007 Minto Cup. Curtis's father, Randy, spent his time keeping track of the draft. Randy had the wonderful experience of telling his son, after the game, that he had been drafted by the Boston Blazers in the 2nd round, 28th overall. This is a huge accomplishment for a young man from Saskatoon! Unfortunately, due to the 2008 NLL players strike, Boston decided not to continue with their first-year team.
Curtis' senior lacrosse years started with him being drafted in the 3rd round, 15th overall to the Coquitlam BC Adanacs Senior A team. He spent the next 3 seasons with this team. Curtis was relentless on the floor and became known as the 'Bulldog' on defense. Staying home and playing in Saskatoon with the Brewers for the next 3 years, he helped that team to 2 PGLL Senior Championships and was also named the 2012 playoff MVP with an amazing 32 goals in 10 games!
Now knowing the above, you can see the major force Curtis was in Saskatchewan Lacrosse. He paved the way for many young players to fulfill their lacrosse dreams. His love of the game was apparent to anyone who knew him. Every free evening and weekend were spent at the rink perfecting his skills and volunteering to help the children learn the sport he loved. Curtis's drive to win, always meant he worked harder to be better, with the countless hours spent at the rink making it his second home. The lacrosse family became his family. Curtis was blessed in 2012 with a son, Jaden, whom he couldn't wait to share his passion for the game. Unfortunately, those plans were cut short with his untimely passing. The lacrosse family, maternal family and friends have stepped up and are ensuring his dreams for his son continue.
The passion and drive that Randy once saw in Curtis's eyes, he now sees daily in the eyes of the players here this weekend. It is what one must have, to get to this level in this great game. He can also relate to the extra hours, and many sacrifices that your young athlete has put into getting to this level. It is this memory that spurred the formation of the Curtis Dale Ptolemy Memorial A Tournament.
"Thank you to the players for working hard and understanding where it can get you. Thank you to the coaches who volunteer their time to work with these kids to get them to the next level. Thank you to the parents, who without your time and dedication to their children, none of us would be here. Lastly, thank you to everyone here who are making it possible for us to keep Curtis' spirit alive through this tournament. I hope you enjoy your experience this weekend and I hope to see many of you in the years to come. "
Randy Trobak