Junior b lacrosse
By Rod Mawhood, Special to The Standard
If there’s one thing Chris Spiers believes in, it’s the St. Catharines Spartans.
For 15 years his devotion as general manager and all around team ambassador of the Junior B lacrosse team has been unparalleled.
“I know it’s kind of a cliché — it’s my 15th year now — but again we want to go to the Founders Cup (Canadian Junior B Lacrosse Championship).
We want to go the playoffs, be one of the top teams in our division and we think we have the team for it,” said Spiers, who spends his hours away from the arena working for the City of St. Catharines.
The Spartans open their 2015 season Sunday night in Guelph. The Spartans wrapped up a perfect (4-0) pre-season with a 13-11 victory (shortened game) over the Seneca War Chiefs last Saturday afternoon at Merritton Arena.
Spiers brought in a whole new coaching staff for the 2015 campaign, including former Six Nations Chiefs player, coach and general manager, Rob McKibbon.
“Team atmosphere is important,” Spiers explained. “We have to play as a team — offence, defence, special teams, conditioning and discipline. If we can get all those things, we should be able to do something.”
Spiers was also quick to praise McKibbon’s work ethic early on as bench boss for the Spartans.
“Rob brings a lot of experience. You won’t find a happier guy, but what really has impressed me is that he works his (butt) off,” Spiers said. “Everyday he’s here he’s eager, he’s prepared, and always has a smile on his face. He wants to succeed.”
For his part, McKibbon likes what he’s seen thus far.
“There’s definitely a lot of positive stuff to work with,” said McKibbon, a native of Hamilton.
“The boys are working really hard. I truly believe we can have a great year, and we still haven’t got all of our guys back from school yet. The only thing we have to work on his staying out of the box.”
The Spartans finished 2014 with an (11-9) regular season record before being eliminated by Orangeville in the first round of the Ontario Lacrosse Association playoffs.
McKibbon believes discipline starts with the coaches and being a calm presence on the bench during games.
“I’ve played lots of lacrosse, watched lots of lacrosse, and coached against the best of the best like Terry Sanderson. Hopefully I can carry that onto the boys here and they can trust my experience,” he said.
McKibbon named his captains and assistants after Saturday’s game.
Nick Baum, a 21-year-old Merritton native who played part of last season with the Junior A Athletics, will wear the captain’s C while Brooker Muir and Evan Scott were named assistants.
“We have to be a team in everything we do, both on and off the floor,” said Baum a steady defender known for his honest play and discipline.
“When something needs to be said in the room I’ll say it, but I’m more of a lead by example type of guy. We have a great mix of talented veterans and some good young guys, too.”
The Spartans open the home portion of their schedule next Thursday, April 30 against the Hamilton Bengals. Game time at Merritton Centennial Arena is 8 p.m.
Notes: McKibbon’s coaching staff is rounded out by assistant and former St. Catharines lacrosse standout Keith McLeod. Former Spartan and Junior A Athletic Brandon Niesink will also serve as an assistant coach, while Graeme Kirkness has been named goaltending coach.
Goaltenders
David Herkimer; Nick Damude; Tyson McCool.
Runners
Luke McLeod; Elliott McKibbon; Cree Blakely; Nick Baum (C); Brett Erskine; Luke Stevens; Evan Scott (A); Brett Pace; Kyle Adams; Brandon Carter; Brooker Muir (A); Danny Blocho; Drew Popadinac; Brandon Kreamer; Jason Sawicki; Ryan Schmidt; Connor Smith; Chris Robertson; Jacob Schenck; Sebastien Beaudoin; Mac Unyi.
The St. Catharines Spartans begin the OLA junior B lacrosse season Sunday on the road.
If there’s one thing Chris Spiers believes in, it’s the St. Catharines Spartans.
For 15 years his devotion as general manager and all around team ambassador of the Junior B lacrosse team has been unparalleled.
“I know it’s kind of a cliché — it’s my 15th year now — but again we want to go to the Founders Cup (Canadian Junior B Lacrosse Championship).
We want to go the playoffs, be one of the top teams in our division and we think we have the team for it,” said Spiers, who spends his hours away from the arena working for the City of St. Catharines.
The Spartans open their 2015 season Sunday night in Guelph. The Spartans wrapped up a perfect (4-0) pre-season with a 13-11 victory (shortened game) over the Seneca War Chiefs last Saturday afternoon at Merritton Arena.
Spiers brought in a whole new coaching staff for the 2015 campaign, including former Six Nations Chiefs player, coach and general manager, Rob McKibbon.
“Team atmosphere is important,” Spiers explained. “We have to play as a team — offence, defence, special teams, conditioning and discipline. If we can get all those things, we should be able to do something.”
Spiers was also quick to praise McKibbon’s work ethic early on as bench boss for the Spartans.
“Rob brings a lot of experience. You won’t find a happier guy, but what really has impressed me is that he works his (butt) off,” Spiers said. “Everyday he’s here he’s eager, he’s prepared, and always has a smile on his face. He wants to succeed.”
For his part, McKibbon likes what he’s seen thus far.
“There’s definitely a lot of positive stuff to work with,” said McKibbon, a native of Hamilton.
“The boys are working really hard. I truly believe we can have a great year, and we still haven’t got all of our guys back from school yet. The only thing we have to work on his staying out of the box.”
The Spartans finished 2014 with an (11-9) regular season record before being eliminated by Orangeville in the first round of the Ontario Lacrosse Association playoffs.
McKibbon believes discipline starts with the coaches and being a calm presence on the bench during games.
“I’ve played lots of lacrosse, watched lots of lacrosse, and coached against the best of the best like Terry Sanderson. Hopefully I can carry that onto the boys here and they can trust my experience,” he said.
McKibbon named his captains and assistants after Saturday’s game.
Nick Baum, a 21-year-old Merritton native who played part of last season with the Junior A Athletics, will wear the captain’s C while Brooker Muir and Evan Scott were named assistants.
“We have to be a team in everything we do, both on and off the floor,” said Baum a steady defender known for his honest play and discipline.
“When something needs to be said in the room I’ll say it, but I’m more of a lead by example type of guy. We have a great mix of talented veterans and some good young guys, too.”
The Spartans open the home portion of their schedule next Thursday, April 30 against the Hamilton Bengals. Game time at Merritton Centennial Arena is 8 p.m.
Notes: McKibbon’s coaching staff is rounded out by assistant and former St. Catharines lacrosse standout Keith McLeod. Former Spartan and Junior A Athletic Brandon Niesink will also serve as an assistant coach, while Graeme Kirkness has been named goaltending coach.
Goaltenders
David Herkimer; Nick Damude; Tyson McCool.
Runners
Luke McLeod; Elliott McKibbon; Cree Blakely; Nick Baum (C); Brett Erskine; Luke Stevens; Evan Scott (A); Brett Pace; Kyle Adams; Brandon Carter; Brooker Muir (A); Danny Blocho; Drew Popadinac; Brandon Kreamer; Jason Sawicki; Ryan Schmidt; Connor Smith; Chris Robertson; Jacob Schenck; Sebastien Beaudoin; Mac Unyi.
