Ontario Jr. A Coach and GM Poll

August 5th, 2008 by Lauren Ward

There’s a reason that some of the most memorable moments in sports history have happened off of the field and in front of the microphone. That reason? Coaches. While the player polls have provided some unforgettable insights into the inner workings of Jr. A, we thought it was time to see what the big mouths from behind the bench had to say, beginning with Ontario. When it comes to guys like Cody Jamieson and Nick Rose, they are who we thought they were. But who would take home titles like hardest-working, smartest player, and the guy most likely to have you looking around for the first-aid kit before the first punch is even thrown? Read on.

The Coach and GM poll was set up a little differently than the players polls, and the results are going to look a little different as well. The top three vote-getters for each question are listed in order of the amount of votes received, and honourable mentions go to the players who didn’t quite crack the top three but still received a good number of votes. Without further ado:

Hypothetical: game’s tied with two minutes left in regulation. Who is the one player you would be most horrified to see heading towards your goalie with the ball in his stick?

Cody Jamieson, Six Nations Arrows
Josh Gillam, Peterborough Lakers
Corey Small, St. Catharines Athletics

Honourable Mention: Mark Cockerton, Whitby Warriors

“Cody is just such a dominant skilled player that can score from anywhere on the floor.”

“[Jamieson] is a horse and very tough to handle one on one.”

“Not only is [Josh Gillam] scoring in Jr. A - he is putting up numbers in Senior lacrosse as a call-up. I would put him tied with Cody Jamieson.”

Slightly altered hypothetical: game’s still tied with two minutes left in regulation and one of your best offensive players is making a run to the crease. What one goaltender do you really not want standing between your player and the GWG?

Nick Rose, Orangeville Northmen
Evan Kirk, K-W Braves
Justin Delormier, Akwesasne Indians

Honourable Mention: Derrick Gordon, Orillia Rama-Hammond Kings. “Plays well and playing for Rama many times is faced with breakaways, often 10-15 per game.”

One of your guys is about to drop the gloves. What fight opponent could have you looking around for the first aid kit before the first punch is even thrown?

Rory Smith, Brampton Excelsiors
Andrew Suitor, Orangeville Northmen
Tory Gardner, Six Nations Arrows

Honourable Mentions: Brett Bridges of the Whitby Warriors and Stephen Keogh of the Orangeville Northmen. “Stephen Keogh has not needed to drop the gloves when playing for the Toronto Beaches because Robert Koger took care of it and Suitor does the fighting for Orangeville where Keogh now plays. No one can take a hit and deliver them in a fight like Keogh. See him on You Tube if you do not believe me.

Who would you say is the hardest-working player in the league? (Note: for the final five questions, coaches and GMs were permitted to name two players with the stipulation that they choose at least one player per question that is not on their own team.)

Jesse Gamble, Orangeville Northmen
Cameron Mann, Burlington Chiefs
Greg Harnett, Orangeville Northmen

Honourable Mentions: Joe Pikul of the K-W Braves, Robert Koger of the Toronto Beaches and Tommy Hurley of the Burlington Chiefs

Who would you call the smartest player in the league?

Kyle Buchanan, Akwesasne Indians
Corey Small, St. Catharines Athletics
Tie: Josh Gillam of the Peterborough Lakers and Matt McLeod of the Orangeville Northmen

Honourable Mention: Adam Jones, Orangeville Northmen

Who do you consider to be the best defensive defenseman in the league?