2014 Rebels looking for more history

WILMOT, ON – The OLA Jr. B season is still a couple of weeks away, but if the Six Nations Rebels exhibition game against the Guelph Regals in Wilmot, Sunday afternoon is any indicator at all, the other teams in the league, as well as the record book, are in deep trouble.

The score really doesn’t matter at all since they stopped ringing them up on the score clock after it was 18-4, but suffice it to say it was like boys against men. The talent laden Rebels just kept coming, wave after wave, line after line, and every one looked even better than the last.

A lot of new stars are about to become much better known names around the league as this coming season unfolds.

Fourteen-year-old goaltender Briley Miller is turning heads at the Six Nations Rebels’ training camp and exhibition games as the team gets tuned up for the 2014 season. He played the second half of Sunday’s exhibition game against the Guelph Regals in Wilmot Ontario. Photo by Jim Windle
Fourteen-year-old goaltender Briley Miller is turning heads at the Six Nations Rebels’ training camp and exhibition games as the team gets tuned up for the 2014 season. He played the second half of Sunday’s exhibition game against the Guelph Regals in Wilmot Ontario. Photo by Jim Windle

Cam Bomberry, assistant to general manager Scott Maracle, is impressed with what he has been seeing.

“There was good ball movement,” he said after the game. “Defensively, there are some areas to work on, but that can be expected this early. Overall I saw some good things today.”

Last season the Rebels team made Jr. B history by winning its third Founders Cup in a row, and this year they are looking for the “quad”. With the deep talent pool of Six Nations, this dynasty could last for a while, judging by the talent that will have to be let go as the Rebels formulate their 2014 roster.

“The talent pool at Six Nations is great thanks to the Six Nations Minor Lacrosse system,” attributes Bomberry. “They get ‘em ready for this kind of competition and hopefully we can get ‘em ready for higher competition.”

That creates a problem most other GM’s wished they faced.

“We’ve got some tough decisions to make right now,” he says.

There are still a few of last year’s Rebels trying out for the Jr. A Arrows, and although the Rebels are holding some spots open for those who come back, even they will still have to work hard to get back on the Rebels’ roster.

Briley Miller is just one example. He is 6’2, 240 lb. and is a solid goaltender with an enormous future. He is also only 14-years-old and has two more years of midget eligibility.

Although he will likely remain in midget this year to gain more game experience, the Rebels brass know they have a capable call-up should they need him.

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