NLL Insider

Mike Buck Jr. (44) celebrating with former teammate and future '09 NLL draft pick, Corey Small (15).

It wasn’t all that many years ago that the likes of Billy Dee Smith, Sean Greenhalgh, Craig Conn, Mark Paniccia, Mike Longboat, Matt Vinc, Kyle Neufeld, Rory Glaves (the list of quality guys could go on forever), ruled the junior scene in the St. Catharines’ double blue with an iron fist as heavy as the one the Orangeville Northmen hammer the province with today.

Although the A’s franchise has had uneven success since those days in the early 00’s, one thing that has always really been a constant in their crew is good, steady, effective, consistent D… always.

There are a few kids out of their current back court available in the NLL draft that play with the same passion and heart as some of the previously mentioned ball players above. One guy, who’s been an everyday starter since he made the full-time jump to the squad in ‘06, is Mike Buck Jr.

Buck isn’t flashy or a huge scoring threat on transition, but the athletic A’s defender will play solid, fundamental, one-on-one D, and is athletic enough and smart enough to jump start a team’s press if the opportunity presents itself. He’s eager, dedicated and a quality ball player that could end up being one of those guys from this year’s class that has you wonderin’ why he didn’t have more buzz going into the draft. Could be cuz his game is more about honest hard work, than unnecessary hype.

MIKE BUCK JR.

Height: 5′11″
Weight: 185
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
From: St. Catharines, Ontario
Junior: St. Catharines Athletics
College: Onondaga CC

What do you feel your greatest asset is that would allow you to translate your game to the NLL?
My communication skills. I can relax and settle into plays and communicate with the boys on what’s happening or is going to happen.

One (or a couple) word(s) to describe your game?
Well-rounded

What role/position do you see yourself playing in the NLL?
Transition, maybe a little work on ball teams.

What current or former NLLer would you most closely compare or model your game after?
I’m not sure I’d compare myself to any yet, but I strive to play like someone like Billy Dee Smith, a good St. Catharines boy.

Your greatest accomplishment (team or individual) during your college, junior or even senior lacrosse career?
My five years with the double blue. I dont think there is a tighter group of guys out there. The five years I spent in St. Catharines are very special to me.

Anything else to add?
I would play in any NLL city and I also have dual citizenship and am able to work in Canada or the US.

Other Hello My Name Is…

• Former Jr. B scoring sensation and Mars Hill attacker Dave Hodgins (Read More)
• Coquitlam Adanacs smash mouth pure defender Brandon Turner (Read More)
• Victoria Shamrocks versatile D/two-way stud Erik Sage (Read More)
• Gritty Peterborough Lakers power forward Kyle Clancy (Read More)
• The spicy yet methodical Brampton Excels off-season pickup Dane Stevens (Read More)
• Nanaimo T-Men Jr. A forward Jon Diplock (Read More)
• Edmonton’s past-first forward Sean Reid (Read More)
• Loyola grad and current MLL defender PT Ricci (Read More)
• Calgary Raiders aggressive, physical defender Garrett Werschke (Read More)
• The Burlington Chiefs timely scoring ace Ryan Learn (Read More)
• Versatile Burnaby Lakers offensive sniper Shaun Dhaliwal (Read More)
• Syracuse’s most recent #22 and ‘09 MLL rookie of the year Dan Hardy (Read More)
• The RMLL’s versatile offensive transitional force Kiel Donahue (Read More)
• BCJALL five-year vet goaltender Ray Hodgkinson (Read More)
• Edmonton Eclipse starting backstop Marc Nano (Read More)
• Six Nations Arrows’ pure D caretaker and Minto winner Holdon Vyse (Read More)
• ‘89 power forward, Delta Islanders point leader Carlton Schuss (Read More)
• Consistent, money keeper, St. Kitts A’s Zach Bown (Read More)

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