Athletics hand out hardware
The future appears bright for the St. Catharines WMKL Athletics.
The A’s were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs this season, but general manager Jeff Chcoski is confident the pieces are in place to make a good run at a championship the next two seasons.
“We have lost in the first round the last couple of years, but not to slouches. Whitby won a national championship and (we lost) then to Burlington who won,” Chcoski said. “Sometimes, whether it’s hockey or lacrosse or sports, you have to learn how to lose before you can learn how to win.”
The A’s will return their entire 2023 roster, with the exception of graduating defenceman Carter Geoffory.
“We know we lose one graduating player but still lots of work to be done here,” Chcoski said. “It’s the third year of a four-year plan. It’s time, but no position is safe now and we’re going to take the best team to give us the best chance to win.”
The junior B Athletics, who had a memorable season losing in the conference finals, also have the majority of their roster eligible to return, furthering the A’s depth.
“It’s a great thing. I think it will push everybody and help make everyone prepare for the season,” Chcoski said. “Guys are a little older and going to prep schools so they get home a little earlier. We’ll be able to prepare a little earlier and I’ll be able to stretch the season out a little better so it’s not as tight.”
Chcoski feels a commitment to excellence from the entire organization is also key.
“We have to be prepared as a group for a full season of lacrosse,” he said. “We have to make sure we are ready to make the next steps to contend for an Ontario championship and obviously the Minto Cup. Everyone is a year older, a year wiser, a year stronger. We’re going to have players pushing for positions.”
“I think we’ll push each other much harder and work together as a program. Really looking forward to the future and we’re super excited to move on.”
The A’s do not have any draft picks in the 2024 draft, but that was be design.
“We know the talent pool is there. With the trades we made, it gives me assets for two years down the road,” Chcoski said.
Both the A’s and B’s recently held their annual awards night.
Junior A Athletics
Joe McCaffery Award Regular Season Scoring Leader: Keaton Zavitz
Ted Howe Sr Award Regular Season MVP: Keaton Zavitz
Tom Garriock Award Top Defensive Player: Mitchell Armstrong
Jack Gatecliff Award Most Improved Player: Carson Robins
Ed/Helen Sawicki Award Most Dedicated Player: Ari Steenhuis
Jim Brady Award Rookie of the Year: Zackary Toll
Bob Luey Award Leadership Award: Oliver Vanyo
St. Catharines Old Boys Award Sportsmanship Award: Christian Lefeuvre
Gord Halliwell Award Playoff MVP: Tye Steenhuis
Steve Toll Award Transition Player of the Year: Julian Race
Paul Coates Award Best out of Town Award: Noah Snyder
Lee Randall Award Volunteer Award: Lindsay Taylor
Junior B Athletics
Leading scorer: Jaden Patterson
Regular Season MVP: Jaden Patterson
Top D Player: Ryan Andrews
Most Improved Player: Sutter Pilon
Most Dedicated: Lucas Briscall
Rookie of the Year: Ari Steenhuis
Leadership: Lucas Briscall
Sportsmanship: Trent Mooradian
Playoff MVP : Joe Joe Brant
Transition: Avery Steinbach-Parker
Unsung Hero: Ben Smellie, Colton Armitage
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