> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Laliberte's return to Pinkerton boys lacrosse ended by spring cancellation - URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/lalibertes-return-to-pinkerton-boys-lacrosse-ended-by-spring-cancellation/ - Published: 2020-05-12T13:00:35.000Z - Updated: 2020-05-12T13:00:35.000Z - Description: Nathan Laliberte had already made up his mind, but none of his friends knew that. So when he invited Mason and Hunter Drouin over to last summer, the brothers showed up with a presentation to try to convince Laliberte to return to Pinkerton Academy for his senior year. After going to school in Derry - Author: Joe Marchilena - Tags: Division I, boys lacrosse, NH High School Sports Insider, Pinkerton, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44 Nathan Laliberte had already made up his mind, but none of his friends knew that. So when he invited Mason and Hunter Drouin over to last summer, the brothers showed up with a presentation to try to convince Laliberte to return to Pinkerton Academy for his senior year. After going to school in Derry and playing ice hockey and lacrosse for the Astros as a freshman, Laliberte transferred to Governor's Academy in Byfield, Mass., before his sophomore year. The Governors were co-champions of the Independent School League that year, but early in the spring of his junior year, Laliberte suffered a season-ending knee injury. With his college commitment already taken care of - he's going to Bryant University to play lacrosse - the lure of playing one more year with friends and teammates he'd grown up with was too much. He just didn't tell them. "I had already decided and I was keeping it low key," Laliberte said. "I set up a little golf thing around my house. Hunter made a slideshow of all the reasons I should come back to Pinkerton. They did all this work." For Hunter Drouin, he was ready to do whatever it took to convince Laliberte to come back. "We've been buddies for a while," said the younger Drouin, who is a junior at Pinkerton. "Every since he left, we bugged him to come back. We did everything we could." As the night built to a crescendo, Laliberte decided to have a little fun with them. "I figured I might as well tell them," he said. "So I told them I was staying ... I'm staying home." The trio celebrated his return and talked often about what it would be like getting back on the lacrosse field together, but Laliberte still needed time until he could be medically cleared to play. It took until late January for him to get the OK and he joined his teammates for the final weeks of the NH Tomahawks Indoor Lacrosse League. Laliberte helped Pinkerton win its division in the final indoor session and the Astros were ready to get back on the field a little more than two weeks after that for the start of spring practices. But before they could even set foot on a field, the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association first postponed the start of the spring season before cancelling it entirely on April 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The reunion was over before it could even get started. "I was obviously bummed," Laliberte said. "That's now two high school seasons stripped away. I had a great supporting cast, from coaches to friends and teammates. I've just got to keep preparing myself and working hard every single day." With Laliberte back, Mason Drouin was confident that Pinkerton could get its third Division I championship in a row. "Nate is the best faceoff kid in the country," he said. "To have another year without losing many faceoffs, it's such a huge advantage. "He's probably devastated. I know it was taking a toll on him, going to (summer) tournaments and having to watch. We were looking forward to this season." Mason Drouin, who is also a senior, will join Laliberte on the men's lacrosse team at Bryant and that chance to play again is something that's kept the outlook positive for both. "I'm excited to continue playing with Mason," Laliberte said. "Growing up, you dream about going D1 and winning a national championship. With this group of recruits, and the coaches, we're going there to compete." Part of one of the final classes that could have early contact with college coaches, Laliberte had offers from schools before he played a game for Pinkerton. While some big programs, like Ohio State and North Carolina, showed interest, Laliberte decided to stay smaller and closer to home. Bryant, which moved up to Division I in 2009, turned out to be that school. "The Bryant staff has been very supportive of me through this journey," Laliberte said. "They stuck by my side. Coach (Mike) Pressler is amazing. It motivates me more, keeps the blood flowing." With his time spent on the sideline, Laliberte was also able to gain a different perspective on the game alongside someone who he expected to play for this spring. First-year Pinkerton coach Steve Gaudreau, who was elevated from assistant coach after Brian O'Reilly retired from coaching lacrosse, spent the summer coaching one of the 2027 boys teams in the Tomahawks program, with Laliberte serving as his assistant coach. "My oldest son is a fifth-grader and play for the Tomahawks," Gaudreau said. "I got to know (Laliberte) as a person in that regard. He's a respectful, hard-working kid. Unfortunately, I never had been in a situation where I've been Nate's coach and that almost makes it worse." One thing that Gaudreau instilled in that youth team surprised Laliberte and stuck with him as a reminder for whatever might come down the road. "There is no messing around," Laliberte said." He means business and he made it clear to them that they had to work hard. They're still young, but they didn't give up. That aspect, to not give up and put the work in, that goes for what ever age you may be. "When I get that opportunity to play again, when it comes ... I've got a lot of emotions built up and I'm anxious to get on that field. I can't wait."