Alberta Jr. A Coaches Poll

August 12th, 2008 by Lauren Ward

Out in Alberta they like to do things a little differently than maybe the rest of us are used to, and their Junior A lacrosse is no exception. Not only do these guys have to spend the summer slugging it out against the boys of Sr. B, but at the end of the year there are no league awards given out to the many deserving players of the RMLL. It may not be quite as good as a cheap plastic trophy with your name spelled incorrectly, but to take a look at who the coaches of Alberta Jr. A would have given those awards to had they existed, keep reading.

Who is the most underrated player in Alberta Jr. A?

Kevin Wallin, Edmonton Miners
Kyle Schram, Edmonton Eclipse

Honourable Mention: Kiel Donahue, Jr. Mountaineers

Who would you say is the smartest player in the league?

Carlton Schuss, Edmonton Eclipse
Tie: Simon Giourmetakis, Edmonton Eclipse and Casey McIntyre, Jr. Raiders

How about the hardest working?

Tyler Pridham, Jr. Mountaineers
Josh Burge, Edmonton Eclipse

Honourable Mention: Cam Ritchie, Edmonton Miners

Who is the best defensive defenseman?

Mike Lutes, Edmonton Miners
Tyler Pridham, Jr. Mountaineers

Honourable Mention: Matt Amyotte, Edmonton Eclipse

Who has the best transition game?

Cam Ritchie, Edmonton Miners
Brandon Miller, Jr. Mountaineers

Honourable Mention: Danny Dahms, Jr. Raiders

Who is the most dangerous offensive player in the league?

Simon Giourmetakis, Edmonton Eclipse
Tie: Kevin Wallin and Matt Wiebe, both of the Edmonton Miners

Who is the league’s top goaltender?

Dave Marrese
Tie: Greg Hallet, Jr. Raiders and Marc Nano, Edmonton Eclipse

In the grand tradition of Alberta lacrosse players, who is the next Geoff Snider? (In terms of fighting, not face-offs)

Tie: Matt Melnyk, Jr. Mountaineers, and Josh McRobb, Edmonton Eclipse
D.J. Giacobbo, Edmonton Eclipse

Who should be named Rookie of the Year?

Tie: Tyler Melnyk and Kiel Donahue, both of the Jr. Mountaineers
Carson Barton, Edmonton Eclipse

Who is the most outstanding player in the league? (Please note that for this question I’m not necessarily asking about what player was most valuable to his team or most instrumental to his team’s success because I don’t want guys who were injured or away at school being discounted. It’s a tough question, but who is the best player in this league?)

Simon Giourmetakis, Edmonton Eclipse
Casey McIntyre, Jr. Raiders

Honourable Mentions: Nate Schmidt and Cam Ritchie, both of the Edmonton Miners

Coaches Comments

While not all of these players appeared in the top two of voting for any particular question, they all received praise that was worth posting.

Simon Giourmetakis:
“He is the real deal. The classic power forward and can also pass.”
“Offensive instincts are far superior to anyone else in the league.”
“Incredible balance and a lightning fast first step.”
“Not many can stop this guy when he is going to the net and he can finish.”

Carlton Schuss:
“Great hands, every fake in the bag to go along with poise.”
“Since he has come here he has made some very good decisions.”
“Excellent vision on and off ball, recognizes and communicates situational advantages within game despite only being 19, uses his tough hard nose style to tremendous advantage.”

Kiel Donahue:
“Great numbers all year but no one talked about him.”
“Kiel plays football for the U of C Dino’s and he is an excellent athlete with a great will to win. He’s ahead of most players in that regard, let alone rookies. He finished third in league scoring but is excellent on both sides of the ball.”
“In terms of 1st timers in the league Kiel had a tremendous impact for the jr mounties production

Casey McIntyre:
“Does everything well; perhaps the most well rounded player in the league.”
“Great vision with the ability to power his way to the net.”
“He sees the floor very well and makes good decisions.”

Tyler Pridham:
“Absolute workhorse; every shift you know you’re going to get 100% from this kid.”

Dave Marrese:
“He is having a great season this year and gives the Miners defense confidence.”
“When on his game this kid can take it to a new level.”

Mike Lutes:
“Not enough people know how good he is.”
“Does a great job of shutting down the other teams best players.”
“Solid stay at home defender capable of playing at a much higher level.”

Cam Ritchie
“Cam has a great sucess record on the breakaway and has scored many important goals.”
“A critical component to the Miners ability to score. No Ritchie, very tough to win.”

Matt Melnyk:
“Not the biggest kid but easily one of the toughest. He will fight anyone, anywhere, anytime if it is in the best interest of his team.”

DJ Giacobbo:
“He has great wheels and can make quick moves with the stick.”

Jason Crook:
“one of the best players in the league at the 2-man game; does all the little things right.”

Kyle Schram:
“A thick lumbering offensive player who has sick finish inside.”

Kevin Wallin:
“Very intelligent player that puts himself into position to score what look like greasy goals.”
“He is a player who can find the net when most needed and can finish.”

Matt Wiebe:
“Sick hands with a few nice moves despite a penchant for the dip and dunk elevator.”

Tyler Melnyk:
“This kid is going to be a star.”

Carson Barton:
“Graduated midget that has become an everday player as a result of work ethic and game sense”

Marc Nano:
“A pure student of the game always breaking down and analyzing shooters and systems.”

Josh Burge:
“Tazmanian devil with a case of Red Bull on board.”

David Back:
“Always gives everything he has on the floor.”

Greg Bouret:
“Work work work, that is what he always does.”

Aaron Duff:
“There is not a wall this kid wouldnt find a way to go around, over, under or through.”

Matt Amyotte:
“Solid 1 on 1 and excellent in the 2 man game. Excellent Slides looking to inflict a contusion or two.”

Paul Josey:
“Great speed who when he hits his stride will hang with the best trannys in the league.”

Kane Swartout:
“Excellent breakaway goaltender.”

Garett Wershke:
“Excellent stamina, strong and a great chin.”