NLL Insider

With box lacrosse in Canada, two Provinces immediately jump to mind in the British Columbia Lacrosse Association (BCLA) – with it’s Junior ‘A’ programs and Senior ‘A’ Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) – and the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) – with it’s Junior ‘A’ clubs and Senior ‘A’ Major Series Lacrosse (MSL).

But they aren’t the only Provinces with structured box lacrosse leagues in Canada. This year will see a Midget National Championships return to the highest level of minor lacrosse since the mid-eighties. Several Associations have indicated interest in the event that will feature championship teams from across Canada in the 15 and 16 year old age category.

That Midget National Championships will be hosted in Alberta, a Province that is quickly growing and becoming a more prominent figure in the Canadian box lacrosse scene. This year not only will Alberta host the Midget Nationals, they will also put on the Junior ‘A’ Minto Cup and Senior ‘B’ National Championship.

This post attempts to bring you up to speed in Alberta with a short Q&A from Duane Bratt, President of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL).

What can fans expect to see in the RMLL this summer? And can you please give us a brief history of the league?
“Major lacrosse has existed in various forms in Alberta since the early 1970s. The Alberta teams were consistent attendees at the Presidents’ Cup (Canadian Senior ‘B’ National Championships) and Founders’ Cup (Junior ‘B’ National Championships).

In 1975, the Edmonton Fullers won the Presidents’ Cup and in 1983 so did the Calgary Mountaineers. However, in the 1970s-1980s, leagues emerged and died.

The current Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL) was formed in 1995 with a Senior and Junior team in both Edmonton and Calgary – four teams in an interlocking league. That was it.

By 2008, the RMLL had six divisions (Senior B, Junior A, Junior B Tier I, Tier II and Tier III, plus Junior Ladies) with a total of 59 teams including teams from interior BC and Saskatchewan. Pretty impressive.

Not only have the number of teams increased, but so has the caliber. A number of NLL players are currently playing, or have played, in the RMLL. Names like Kaleb Toth, Jamie Bowen, Geoff Snider, Ben Prepchuck, Ryan McNish, Jimmy Quinlan, Jason Wulder, Taylor Wray, Blaine Manning, John Kilbride, Jamie Shewchuck, etc.

It is not just individual players, the teams have got better too. For example, the Sherwood Park Outlaws are the defending Presidents’ Cup Champion.”

How does the regular season and playoff format work with the RMLL?
“The regular season has teams play between 14-18 games depending on the division. The larger divisions have regional zones, but the smaller ones compete provincially.

Senior ‘B’ and Junior ‘A’ play an interlocking regular season, but separate at playoffs. There are two rounds of playoffs in both divisions.

Junior ‘B’ Tier 1 has playdowns in a North and South division, with the winners meeting in the finals.”

What’s the brief five year plan for the league?
“Two major goals. First, continue to offer divisions for players of all calibers. We have a philosophy that every Junior aged player, no matter what skill level, should have an opportunity to play lacrosse. This is why we offer four tiered men’s divisions and a ladies division.

Second, we want to continue to increase the quality of play. I believe that our Senior ‘B’ league is the best in Canada. Not only do we have the defending Canadian champs, but some really solid teams in the case of the Okotoks Raiders, Airdrie Knights, and Spruce Grove Slash.

Our Junior A’ league, only six years old, is (also) on the verge of sending a message to other Junior ‘A’ leagues in Canada.”

Thoughts on RMLL being included in National championships like the Minto?
“We are very excited about hosting the 2008 Minto Cup in Calgary. It will be hosted by the Calgary Mountaineers and will be held in conjunction with the Canadian Midget nationals. This will be a first class event both on and off the floor.

The Calgary lacrosse community has really embraced the Minto and the stands will be flowing with eager spectators. Not only that, but in the north part of the province, the Presidents’ Cup will be hosted by the Sherwood Park Outlaws. Lots of top end lacrosse will be in Alberta in August 2008!”

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The return of a CLA Midget Nationals is scheduled to coincide with the Minto Cup this year. Midget players will compete for a title named the Tackaberry Trophy, while Junior ‘A’ players will battle for the Minto Cup.

Recently Junior ‘A’ in the CLA also expanded to a national structure. Up until 2003, the Minto Cup was a best-of-seven series pitting the OLA champion versus the BCLA champ, with the championship alternating coasts. Now the Minto Cup is a round-robin tournament with a one game final featuring Provincial championship teams from Ontario, BC and Alberta. The host city also receives an automatic bye making it a four team tourney.

Eight MA’s or AMA’s had indicated initial interest in participating in Midget Nationals - the Lacrosse Associations of Alberta (ALA), British Columbia (BCLA), Iroquois (ILA), Saskatchewan (SLA), Ontario (OLA), Federation de cross de Quebec (FCQ), Lacrosse Nova Scoatia (LNS) and New Brunswick (LNB).

The Senior ‘B’ National Championships feature seven championship teams from across the country.

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