SIX NATIONS – Third year Six Nations Jr. A head-coach Patrick Merrill and his bench coaches have been working hard sharpening the tips of this year’s Arrows hopefuls in preparation for a full-frontal assault on all comers in their quest to return the Minto Cup to Six Nations.
“That’s the goal,” said Merrill after Sunday’s training camp session. “It’s a huge opportunity with the Minto back out here in the east this year, in Brampton.”
As hosts, Brampton will get an automatic invitation into the playoffs no matter where they may end the regular season as well as the first-place OLA champions, guaranteeing two passes to OLA teams.
The taste of that national championship win is still in the mouths of a few of the veterans, along with the bitter taste of not making to last season’s final, losing their bid for three cup seasons in a row to the Orangeville Northmen, who went on to win it all.
“I think we lost seven or eight from last year to overage,” said Merrill. “But there is so much talent out here, there’s always someone coming up.”
In that regard Merrill expects a few to graduate from the Jr. B Rebels, but has been impressed with what he has seen so far.
“We’re having a really strong training camp again this year, but I’m really impressed with the talent I have seen this year,” he says.
One thing this camp is doing differently is having our key players out to camp as well as the would-be’s.
“It’s great to have them here,” he says. “They can really help the young guys and new guys up to speed a lot quicker.”
There is never a shortage of great young goaltenders coming up as well as a gaggle of veterans willing to teach the new guys. That has always been the case with Six Nations teams and this one is no exception.
“Right now it looks like we’re going to be going with Dougie (Jamieson) in his last year of Jr. He’s not only a great leader on the floor and in the room, he’s also one of the top goalies in the league, says Merrill.
Beyond that, there are a lot of young backstops still at camp all vying for the second spot in the Arrows lineup.
The new OJALL season officially opens Friday, May 12, at the Ted Reeve Arena when the new Arrows take on the Toronto Beaches. As is customary at Six Nations, their home opener will be held back until “Bread and Cheese Day” otherwise known as the Victoria Day Weekend. The St. Catharines Athletics will be the hosts at the ILA for a 3 pm, afternoon matinee game.
The Arrows will stay on the road until then and will land in Brampton Friday, May 19, at 8 p.m. at the Memorial Arena.
