Corey Small Bio
Corey Small is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who plays for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Born on March 23, 1987, in St. Catharines, Ontario, he has built a versatile indoor and outdoor career since first entering the professional ranks in 2009. A left-handed attackman listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds, Small is recognized for his scoring touch and steady two-way play across multiple top-flight leagues.
Over the course of his career, Small has suited up for the Edmonton Rush, Vancouver Stealth, Philadelphia Wings, and Buffalo Bandits in the NLL, while also representing the Hamilton Nationals in Major League Lacrosse (MLL). In addition to his indoor and field work, he has competed in Canadian box lacrosse with the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks of Major Series Lacrosse (MSL).
Early Life and Background
Corey Small grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, a city with a deep lacrosse tradition in the Niagara region. He attended Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, where he played for the Holy Cross Raiders. During his senior year, Small helped lead the Raiders to a provincial championship, an early signal of the competitive drive that would shape his career.
Raised in a region that produced numerous high-level players, Small developed his game in local box and field programs before reaching the junior ranks. His family background in St. Catharines kept him closely tied to the area’s lacrosse community, and the sport quickly became the central focus of his athletic life.
Path to Lacrosse
Small began his competitive junior career with the St. Catharines Athletics of the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League, suiting up for the club from 2004 to 2008. Across five seasons, he amassed 127 goals and 278 points in 102 games, and added 40 goals and 77 points in 30 playoff contests. In 2005, his poise and sportsmanship were recognized when he received the Gaylord Powless Sportsmanship Award.
Following his junior career, Small took his game to the NCAA level at the University of Albany, where he completed a four-year collegiate tenure. His scoring ability at Albany helped position him for professional opportunity on both sides of the border, and in 2009 he entered both the MLL and NLL drafts.
Corey Small Career
Early Career (2009–2010)
Small launched his professional career in 2009 after a standout collegiate run at the University of Albany. He was selected 22nd overall by the Toronto Nationals in the 2009 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft, beginning his outdoor career in Major League Lacrosse. Later that same year, he joined the indoor ranks when the Edmonton Rush selected him 9th overall in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft.
That same summer, he was also chosen 2nd overall in the 2009 Major Series Lacrosse draft by the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks, just ahead of former Athletics teammate Dan Coates. Small finished his first MSL season with the Kodiaks with 13 goals and 35 points, signaling an immediate comfort with the Canadian box game.
National Lacrosse League Breakthrough (2009–Present)
Small made his NLL debut with the Edmonton Rush in 2009 and quickly became part of the team’s offensive core. After missing the 2014 season due to injury, he returned to the Rush in 2015 but was traded to the Vancouver Stealth early in that campaign, marking the first of several indoor transitions.
Over the years, Small continued his NLL journey with the Philadelphia Wings and the Buffalo Bandits before eventually landing with the Toronto Rock, where he has continued to contribute as an experienced attackman. His ability to adapt to new systems and teammates has made him a reliable presence in indoor lacrosse for more than a decade.
Major League Lacrosse Career
In Major League Lacrosse, Small played for the Hamilton Nationals, the franchise that relocated from Toronto. His field play complemented his indoor workload, allowing him to remain a dual-threat professional during the summers of his NLL winters. Small’s tenure with the Nationals added an important outdoor dimension to his career portfolio.
Major Series Lacrosse with the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks
In Canadian box lacrosse, Small joined the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks after being selected 2nd overall in the 2009 MSL draft. His first season produced 13 goals and 35 points, providing a foundation for a continued presence in the highly competitive summer league.
Playing Style and Strengths
Small is recognized as a left-handed attackman with a balanced scoring and playmaking profile. His comfort in both box and field lacrosse allows him to read defenses quickly and create opportunities for teammates. Across leagues, he has built his reputation on consistent offensive production and reliable two-way responsibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Small’s career milestones are being selected 9th overall in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft and 2nd overall in the 2009 MSL draft. He also earned the Gaylord Powless Sportsmanship Award in 2005 and helped Holy Cross capture a provincial high school championship during his senior year.
Corey Small Career Wins
Corey Small’s professional résumé includes a provincial high school championship with Holy Cross and a Gaylord Powless Sportsmanship Award during his junior career with the St. Catharines Athletics. His five-year junior totals of 127 goals and 278 points in 102 games, along with 40 goals and 77 points in 30 playoff games, stand as one of the most productive stretches in his early development.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
Across five seasons with the St. Catharines Athletics from 2004 to 2008, Small established himself as a premier junior scorer in Ontario. His four years at the University of Albany further sharpened his game and prepared him for the dual demands of MLL and NLL competition.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his junior and collegiate accomplishments, Small contributed immediately for the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks in Major Series Lacrosse, recording 13 goals and 35 points in his first season. He has continued to compete professionally in the NLL into the 2025 calendar year.
Corey Small Family
Family Background and Lacrosse Lineage
Small was raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, a community deeply rooted in Canadian lacrosse tradition. The Niagara region’s strong lacrosse culture played a key role in his early development, and his ties to St. Catharines remained evident throughout his junior career with the local Athletics program.
Personal Life
Corey Small maintains an active presence on social media, including his verified X account. He continues his professional career in the National Lacrosse League with the Toronto Rock.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Small remains a member of the Toronto Rock as one of the team’s veteran attackmen. His experience across multiple NLL organizations, including the Edmonton Rush, Vancouver Stealth, Philadelphia Wings, and Buffalo Bandits, gives him a broad perspective that supports the Rock’s locker room.
Small’s continued availability allows Toronto to rely on a dependable left-handed scoring option in its offensive rotation. His track record of producing in both box and field lacrosse makes him a steady contributor as the season unfolds.
Looking ahead, Small is positioned to add to his long professional résumé that began in 2009. His longevity in the sport, spanning more than 15 years of high-level competition, underscores his dedication and durability as a Canadian lacrosse professional.