NLL Insider

While the big stories in boxla right now are the chase for the coveted Minto and Mann Cup championships, respectively a fight for the Junior ‘A’ and Senior ‘A’ lacrosse titles, there are other leagues in action battling for their own national titles.

Last week we recapped the wins of B.C. and Ontario at the combined Pee Wee and Bantam Nationals. This coming week it’s the Midget Nationals for players aged 15-16. Their championship week kicks off Friday August 22, coinciding with the Minto Cup championships. The Senior ‘B’ Nationals also started this week.

A few teams will be in the running for Midget Gold including B.C., the winners of the ‘06 Bantam Nationals. (Since age divisions in Canada are separated by a two year gap, an ‘08 team is similar to ‘06).

B.C. will be led by their scoring leader and the Gold Medal MVP from ‘06, Reegan Comeault. “2006 Tournament All Star Team Members Brody Eastwood and crowd favorite Goaltender Franki Scigliano are also in the fold and should prove pivotal in 2008,” says B.C. head coach Reynold Comeault. Brian Spaven who recently coached Scotland’s ILF U-19 team will also assist.

The ‘06 Silver medalist’s from Iroqouis will be eager to push their limits for Gold with scoring sensation Randy Staats on the roster but the organizing committee is still unsure if he will play, said chair Cheryl Tackaberry. Staats recently competed in the Jr. ‘A’ finals with the Six Nations Arrows.

Ontario will also be chomping at the bit to get back to the top with the likes of Cody McMahon and Dan Lintner. The 1992 born group from Ontario won the Pee Wee Nationals in 2004.

“Our team will be well balanced, and strong in both ends,” said head coach Joel Johnson. “The competition will be tough, but we will look to make a strong push for gold.”

Also, don’t count out the host team from Alberta coached by NLL Calgary Roughnecks’ assistant coach Dave Pym. Watch for Alberta’s captain Adam Osterling, assistants Dallas Erhardt and Aaron Tackaberry – who’s uncle the Midget National trophy is named in memory of.

“Team Alberta expects to be pushed to the max… and look forward to rising to the challenge of testing their skill at a tournament that will be chalk full of the future stars of the best game in the World,” added Pym. Nearly 100 players tried out for their Midget team before a 22-man roster was named.

“Even the Senior ‘A’ teams and the professional leagues start tracking players at this age,” said CLA president Joey Harris, excited about bringing the national championship back to the highest level of minor lacrosse for the first-time since the mid-eighties.

Rounding out the tournament field are Midget teams from Novia Scotia, Quebec and Saskatchewan. You can follow the action at www.calgarymidgetlacrossenationals.com

At the senior level, the President’s Cup championship for the Senior ‘B’ lacrosse league kicked off on Monday at Sherwood Park Arena in Alberta and runs through Saturday, August 23.

Unlike the Senior ‘A’ Mann Cup champion which pits the champion of the West versus the East, the President’s Cup features five championships teams from across the country, with Tri City (BCLA), Owen Sound (OLA), Airdrie (RMLL), Six Nations (CanAM), Kahnawake (Quebec) plus host Sherwood Park (RMLL) competing in ‘08.

NLL Edmonton Rush players including Jimmy Quinlan and Ben Prepchuk will take the floor with the host Sherwood Park Outlaws as they try to defend their title from last year. For more information, visit www.sherwoodparkoutlaws.com.

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