Fans won’t get a chance this summer to pack the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, and watch their beloved Six Nations Arrows.
Ontario Junior ‘A’ league board chairman Jason Shuttleworth made the official announcement on Thursday, May 28th in a prepared six paragraph statement.
The Arrows this year boasted some young exciting talent, including electrifying goal scorer Marshall Powless who was looking to carry on his success with the Junior ‘B’ Rebels into Junior ‘A’.
“I kind of expected it (season) to be cancelled because I’ve seen everyone else’s season being cancelled,” Powless said. “I was still holding on to hope, but it is very disappointing.”
Powless, who is coming off a dominating 2019 regular season campaign with 54 goals and 151 points with the Founders Cup finalist Rebels went on to add, “I was ready to go get the season started but it is what it is I guess.”
Following regular season, Powless proved to be clutch as he followed it up with a solid playoff which saw him total 31 goals and 82 points in 15 playoff games.
Unfortunately for Arrows fans and Junior ‘A’ fans in general, they will have to wait until next summer before they see the dynamic Powless showcase his skills on a full- time basis.
“It definitely will be something different, because this is my first summer off,” Powless said. I think me and my family will have to keep busy with camping and other things, but will definitely keep my stick in my hands and be ready for next year.”
Meanwhile Arrows General Manager was pretty optimistic about the upcoming season as he stated, “It’s obviously disappointing to end a season especially when there is so much optimism for a lengthy playoff run this summer with all the hometown talent that we had put in place for this summer’s team. Many players were going to be entering into the NLL draft this fall either early or due to graduation. I believe we had the staff and players in place this summer that could have made it a fun and memorable season at the ILA.”
Henhawk also went on to add, “But we are working within our league to ensure that we are able to grant these players their lost year back, or in the case of our fifth year player, the option to play one more year of junior or move up to senior.”
