Army nets first career NLL goal
Mitch Armstrong, left, scored his first National Lacrosse League goal last week.
Mitch Armstrong could not have picked a better time to score his first National Lacrosse League goal.
The 19-year-old St. Catharines native netted the goal in his second pro game for the Philadelphia Wings in a loss to the Toronto Rock last week in Hamilton in front of numerous friends and members of his family.
“It was an unreal feeling to have everyone there, everyone I care about there supporting me,” Armstrong said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better atmosphere and a better place to score my first goal.”
Armstrong, who hung up his skates this season with the St. Catharines Falcons to concentrate on boxla, appreciated seeing so many former Falcons in the stands.
“A bunch of the guys showed up and supported me,” he said. “It seems like every time they show up to a game I score a goal. When we won the Sutherland Cup the A’s honoured them and I ended up scoring the game-winning goal that game. They should come out to more games.
“A lot of people were there supporting me. It was awesome and I’m so appreciative of that.”
Armstrong, who has the souvenir ball on the night stand by his bed, was selected in the second round (22nd overall) of the 2023 draft by the Wings and made the roster out of training camp.
“I always thought it was a possibility (to play this season),” he said. “I never really second guessed my abilities. I think they picked me for a reason and had an understanding when they picked me and I think I showcased that very well in training camp and the pre-season games.
“I’m just so happy they gave me an opportunity to show my skills, my speed, my ability to play lacrosse. I’m happy everything worked out the way it did.”
Armstrong’s speed has been vital in his transition to the pro game.
“I play defence and I’ve been learning the systems. They were looking for someone who was younger with speed to transition to ball and I think I fit both those categories pretty well,” he said.
Wings coach Paul Day is a big fan of Armstrong.
“He’s big, strong and fast,” Day said. “Having Ian Rubel (Wings assistant coach) as his summer coach has really helped his transition to the pro game. Playing the same system has allowed him to get comfortable.
“His future is bright and he has made a real contribution.”
Armstrong, who is a kinesiology student at Brock, admitted it can be a little mind-boggling to play pro in front of thousands of fans.
“It’s huge step and way different lacrosse compared to junior,” he said. “It’s way quicker. It’s taken a couple of games to get used to and I think I’ve got my feet where I want them to be. I try not to think about the fans — sometimes it can be overwhelming playing in a place like Hamilton with 8,000 or 10,000 people watching and all the cameras — I’ve learned to take all of that out and I’ve been able to do that and that’s made me feel a little better.”
Armstrong made his NLL debut on Long Island before the game in Hamilton. He will make his home debut in Philadelphia this weekend, flying out Friday and returning home Sunday.
“It’s something you really dream about,” he said. “It’s something you aim for and to be able to get to live it and play with these guys that are unreal at lacrosse, it’s all guys I look up to and they’re such great role models for me on and off the floor.
“I’m just so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to do this. It’s an unreal feeling.”
Armstrong, who plans to play his final season of junior eligibility for the A’s this summer, gives A’s general manager Jeff Chcoski credit for suggesting he enter the draft.
“Chicky was the whole reason I entered the draft. Everything I accomplished with the draft, he’s been my go-to guy. The whole coaching staff have been super supportive and super helpful with anything I need. I’m super grateful they have been there by my side since the start.”
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