Optimism is the word coming out of all three local junior B lacrosse club camps.
All three teams — the Niagara Thunderhawks, St. Catharines Spartans and Welland Generals — failed to qualify for the post-season in 2017, but all three feel things will change this season.
The Thunderhawks, who finished last season with an 8-12 record, are bringing back their 2016 leading scorer in Zack Luis, who played with the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics last summer.
Niagara also features some good young talent at both ends of the floor, according to general Manager Dave Mines.
"We've got a few guys still away at school, but we've got a good nucleus of young guys coming up from the midget team," said Mines, now in his second year as Thunderhawks general manager.
"Michael Wilson has really stuck out on the defensive side. He's big 17-year-old that's really shown a lot in camp.
"Reid Lowe has really come into his own, he was drafted by Brampton in junior A," Mines said. "Those two kids, and Connor Watson has some speed, so we're pretty excited about the number of kids coming up through the organization.
"Niagara has done a good job of keeping those kids in the fold."
Veteran Keelan Buis and rookie Quinton Hill are the Thunderhawks goaltenders in 2018, while Randy Chrysler returns as head coach.
Chrysler will be assisted by Andy Boldt and Ron McCormack.
All three teams — the Niagara Thunderhawks, St. Catharines Spartans and Welland Generals — failed to qualify for the post-season in 2017, but all three feel things will change this season.
The Thunderhawks, who finished last season with an 8-12 record, are bringing back their 2016 leading scorer in Zack Luis, who played with the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics last summer.
Niagara also features some good young talent at both ends of the floor, according to general Manager Dave Mines.
"We've got a few guys still away at school, but we've got a good nucleus of young guys coming up from the midget team," said Mines, now in his second year as Thunderhawks general manager.
"Michael Wilson has really stuck out on the defensive side. He's big 17-year-old that's really shown a lot in camp.
"Reid Lowe has really come into his own, he was drafted by Brampton in junior A," Mines said. "Those two kids, and Connor Watson has some speed, so we're pretty excited about the number of kids coming up through the organization.
"Niagara has done a good job of keeping those kids in the fold."
Veteran Keelan Buis and rookie Quinton Hill are the Thunderhawks goaltenders in 2018, while Randy Chrysler returns as head coach.
Chrysler will be assisted by Andy Boldt and Ron McCormack.
Niagara visits the Elora Mohawks Saturday, April 28, and
hosts St. Catharines at Virgil Arena the following night. Both games get
underway at 7 p.m.
New coaches in St. Kitts
The St. Catharines Spartans, who wrapped up 2017 with a 6-14 record, have completely revamped their coaching staff.
John Gatt has been named head coach and will be assisted by a number of former local players, including Merritton native and former Spartan Shayne Adams who will assist Tyler Warren in running the offense.
The Spartans failed to make the playoffs last season for the first time since 2007, and general manager Chris Spiers knew changes had to be made.
"We're kind of new club," Spiers said. "We've made some changes, and not just with the coaching staff.
"Player-wise we made changes, too. Some players won't be back with us, because we've changed the attitude with this team — because we expect more.
"We want kids that want to play junior B, take it serious, and make a commitment to the team."
Spiers, who has been with the organization for 18 years, feels veteran Connor Aquanno, who also plays field lacrosse for Brock University, and second-year forward Aaron Ward will lead the offence while newcomers Alex Gaston and Tyler Kolodka could impress as well up front.
"Defensively, Adam Kirchmayer, who's huge to have back with us, and Jacob Johnson (played junior A with St. Catharines last season) as well Devon (Spiers' son) has dropped back to play defence and tranny (transition).
"Reid Edmonds and Trent Jackson have also looked great at camp."
The Spartans will start the season with two 21-year-old netminders in Dylan Busby and Tyson McCool.
John Gatt's son Dustin will run the defence for St. Catharines this season, while former National Lacrosse League goaltender Doug Buchan round out the coaching staff for the Spartans.
St. Catharines opens the season 8 p.m. Friday at Merritton Arena against the Hamilton Bengals.
Revamp in Rose City
The Welland Generals too made changes at the top as Joe Wormald takes over as head coach.
The Generals finished 2017 last in the South West Division standings with a 3-17 record.
"Cautiously optimistic would be a good way to put it," said Wormald when asked about his outlook on the 2018 campaign.
"We have a few veterans that we hope will lead a group of seven or eight 16- or 17-year-olds who I've coached before for three or four years."
Wormald is making the jump from the Welland midget team, and will be assisted by Generals (Warlords) all-time leading scorer Brandon Porga, who graduated from junior B lacrosse last season.
Former St. Catharines Saints senior B player Andy Tober, and Cody Veltri have also been named assistant coaches in Welland.
Wormald feels the Generals defence could be a difference maker this season.
"Our defence is looking very mean, which is the kind of lacrosse I like to play," Wormald explained.
"We just have to make sure that the penalties stay under control."
Second-year netminder and Merritton native Justin Rombough will be relied on heavily between the pipes for Welland.
"I think we're going to have a good year, we're going to have fun," Wormald said. "I'm not going to promise 15-5 (record) but I'm hoping for the best."
Welland opens a home-and-home series versus the Six Nations Rebels on the road Friday at 8 p.m. Six Nations visits Welland Arena Sunday, beginning at 7 p.m.
New coaches in St. Kitts
The St. Catharines Spartans, who wrapped up 2017 with a 6-14 record, have completely revamped their coaching staff.
John Gatt has been named head coach and will be assisted by a number of former local players, including Merritton native and former Spartan Shayne Adams who will assist Tyler Warren in running the offense.
The Spartans failed to make the playoffs last season for the first time since 2007, and general manager Chris Spiers knew changes had to be made.
"We're kind of new club," Spiers said. "We've made some changes, and not just with the coaching staff.
"Player-wise we made changes, too. Some players won't be back with us, because we've changed the attitude with this team — because we expect more.
"We want kids that want to play junior B, take it serious, and make a commitment to the team."
Spiers, who has been with the organization for 18 years, feels veteran Connor Aquanno, who also plays field lacrosse for Brock University, and second-year forward Aaron Ward will lead the offence while newcomers Alex Gaston and Tyler Kolodka could impress as well up front.
"Defensively, Adam Kirchmayer, who's huge to have back with us, and Jacob Johnson (played junior A with St. Catharines last season) as well Devon (Spiers' son) has dropped back to play defence and tranny (transition).
"Reid Edmonds and Trent Jackson have also looked great at camp."
The Spartans will start the season with two 21-year-old netminders in Dylan Busby and Tyson McCool.
John Gatt's son Dustin will run the defence for St. Catharines this season, while former National Lacrosse League goaltender Doug Buchan round out the coaching staff for the Spartans.
St. Catharines opens the season 8 p.m. Friday at Merritton Arena against the Hamilton Bengals.
Revamp in Rose City
The Welland Generals too made changes at the top as Joe Wormald takes over as head coach.
The Generals finished 2017 last in the South West Division standings with a 3-17 record.
"Cautiously optimistic would be a good way to put it," said Wormald when asked about his outlook on the 2018 campaign.
"We have a few veterans that we hope will lead a group of seven or eight 16- or 17-year-olds who I've coached before for three or four years."
Wormald is making the jump from the Welland midget team, and will be assisted by Generals (Warlords) all-time leading scorer Brandon Porga, who graduated from junior B lacrosse last season.
Former St. Catharines Saints senior B player Andy Tober, and Cody Veltri have also been named assistant coaches in Welland.
Wormald feels the Generals defence could be a difference maker this season.
"Our defence is looking very mean, which is the kind of lacrosse I like to play," Wormald explained.
"We just have to make sure that the penalties stay under control."
Second-year netminder and Merritton native Justin Rombough will be relied on heavily between the pipes for Welland.
"I think we're going to have a good year, we're going to have fun," Wormald said. "I'm not going to promise 15-5 (record) but I'm hoping for the best."
Welland opens a home-and-home series versus the Six Nations Rebels on the road Friday at 8 p.m. Six Nations visits Welland Arena Sunday, beginning at 7 p.m.
