Junior A Athletics ready to win
The St. Catharines WMKL Athletics believe they are ready to contend for an Ontario Junior Lacrosse League championship this season.
The Athletics have been awarded the 2025 Minto Cup, and after two years of building and re-tooling the roster, general manager Jeff Chcoski is confident the club will be able to stack up against the best junior A teams in the province.
“We’re out of the rebuild,” Chcoski said. “With the expectations of next year, I truly have to think we are creating a roster that has a chance to go for it this year. We’re putting everything together to win this year, which is going to lead into next year.
“Now I think it’s go time.”
A’s head coach Steve Toll agrees the rebuild is over and the mindset is on winning now.
“Obviously, we’re excited about next year but we have to take care of this year,” Toll said. “We’re only losing two players (Christian Lefeuvre, Julian Race). You never want to say you’re building toward next year because you’re not. You’re trying to win every year.
“I think with our 04’s, even though they’re not in their last year, there are a lot of great leaders and a lot of great players. I think we’re in great shape.”
Chcoski feels the win-now attitude has been present since Day 1 of training camp.
“To a man, to a coaching staff, to a kid playing on this team, I think their eyes are starting to set on the prize for the next two years,” he said.
The A’s are bringing back virtually their entire roster from last season.
“We have a stacked roster,” Chcoski said. “They’re all a year older, a year stronger. Most of them are 19. We have an older crew this year.”
The A’s are set in goal with Oliver Vanyo and Ty Wilson, who Chocski and Toll both feel are the top tandem in the province.
“It starts with our two goalies, they’re the two best in the league. They’re real good goalies,” Chcoski said.
The defence will once again be anchored by Mitch Armstrong, fresh off his first season in the National Lacrosse League with the Philadelphia Wings, along with Noah Simpson, Nathan Fehr, Isaac Prantera and Levi Roest. Former Niagara IceDog Connor Federkow has been working out with the team and is in the running for a spot on defence as well.
“At the back end, we have all out speed and size,” Chcoski said.
The A’s also appear to be set at forward with the likes of Keaton Zavitz, Gavin Howard, Tye Steenhuis, Zackary Toll and Colton Armitage.
“We just need more scoring up front,” Chcoski said. “The boys are a year older and they have to put the ball in the net. We have the top coaches out there who are working with these guys and we’ll be adding a piece here and there and as we go along.”
Indeed, Chcoski said he will not be afraid to pull the trigger and bring in whatever is needed to fortify the roster.
“Every move I make is for the trade deadline,” he said. “It will be an active summer.
“What I’m going to bring in this year will obviously impact us this year, but be an impact for next year too. I’m not looking to bring in any 03’s that I’m going to lose this year.”
The A’s have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the last couple of years, both times by the eventual Minto Cup champions (Whitby and Burlington).
“I’m dialled in on Friday night and getting this thing going, but everything you’re doing for this year, they need to learn to win,” Chcoski said.
The A’s wrap up exhibition play in Burlington Wednesday and begin the season Friday in Brampton before hosting Toronto Beaches Wednesday, May 22 at 8 p.m. in their regular season home opener at Canada Games Park.
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