SIX NATIONS — Restocking the quiver after winning the Minto Cup last season is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is, what quality junior lacrosse player wouldn’t want to play on a winning franchise? But at the same time it makes for some very difficult decisions when there is so much to choose from.
The defending Minto Cup Champion Six Nations Arrows Express is in the third week of training camp and although head coach Patrick Merrill admits to a relatively low turnout to camp, he understands why that might be and although the Arrows lost 13 of last year’s Cup winning squad, he is not terribly concerned.
“It’s pretty early but I think we are off to a good start,” said Merrill. “The numbers are pretty low, but the young guys we have brought in look pretty good so far. They’re a little step ahead of where we were last year at this time.”
Merrill believes that even though there is a lot of turn over, that only gives a lot more opportunities for young guys who were just on the cusp of playing with the Arrows last year. He is also excited about some of his returning veterans developing into team leaders this year.
“We had a lot of young guys who played a big role for us last year,” said Merrill. “Even though they are pretty young, there is some good leadership and experience gained last year and the year before.”
He speaks of vets like last year’s captain Adam Bomberry, Doug Jamieson, who won pretty well every award a goaltender could get last year, Austin Staats and Gerry Staats, in particular will be relied on heavily this year.
“But everyone will have to earn everything again. It’s a new season, but I think it’s important for them to know that they’re going to be relied on,” Merrill qualifies.
Loyalty goes both ways with him and he does tip his hand a little in adding, “We’re going to respect the guys who were here last year and their spot on the team, so there aren’t going to be a whole lot of spots up for grabs.”
There is also the possibility of getting a few guys from the Rebels. There may be a few Founders Cup ring bearers wanting to add a Minto Cup to the collection.
And that isn’t even talking about their draft choices.
“That’s the great benefit of being a part of this organization,” Merrill said. “It is the depth of talent in the community here. And, what more could you ask for with a year round lacrosse facility like the ILA?”
This is always an exiting time of the year said Merrill. All clean slates and it’s a fresh start.
“That is the way we want to approach it this year,” he said. “We did really well last year, but last year was last year.”
This year begins in May but no official schedule has been drawn up to date.
