Pilon pleased to be picked
Kealan Pilon’s summer keeps getting better and better.
The 22-year-old St. Catharines native started off by helping the St. Catharines WKML Athletics to an Iroquois Cup as provincial junior A champions and then was rewarded for his fine play with a trip to the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League all-star game the following week.
The good news got even better Saturday when Pilon was drafted by the Halifax Thunderbirds in the third round of the National Lacrosse League draft.
“I watched the first two rounds and they stopped the live stream after that but I found a Twitter page that was keeping up and I saw it right away,” Pilon said. “There are some St. Catharines roots there and a couple of people I already know so I couldn’t be happier where I ended up.
“It’s a great spot to land.”
The Thunderbirds are coached by St. Catharines resident Mike Accursi and also feature locals Owen Friesen, Tyson Bell, Brooker Muir and Eric Fannell.
Pilon is thrilled to have the opportunity to turn pro.
“As a kid, you always think about it but as the years went on I feel like my breakout year was two years ago,” he said. “A couple of years ago I thought there could be some potential and then after this year I didn’t have the same kind of year I had, but I felt it was still pretty successful.
“It has always been a dream and it feels crazy to actually be living it now.”
Pilon, who is completing his final year at Queens University of Charlotte where he is working on his masters degree, isn’t eligible to play pro while he is still in school.
“It gives me a whole year to prepare my body and push myself in ways I never have before and be ready for training camp next year and earn a spot on a really good team already,” Pilon said. “I think I can do this. I know what I have to work on.”
Pilon said Accursi called and welcomed him to the organization.
“He was happy and wished me good luck,” Pilon said. “He knew that was the circumstance and seemed fine with it and I’ll be there next year.”
Athletics general manager Jeff Chcoski was thrilled for Pilon.
“There was a time when there was a question mark if Kealan was going to get home, he was still down in the States, but he put it all together was his mom and dad and made sure he was home in time. He was one of the last ones to get to practice but it was so great to see him,” Chcoski said.
Pilon is still trying to process all the good fortune that has come his way in the last several weeks.
“I’m super happy. When I first heard junior A was happening I even contemplated not coming because it was a shortened season and it didn’t feel real but then I talked to my buddies, kids I grew up with, and they said they were all coming back,” he said. “The last thing I could do is miss an opportunity with these guys and to win, not everybody gets to do that.
“It felt like a long time coming for us and I’m extremely blessed to be able to do it with them and then to get drafted, that’s the cherry on top. It’s been a great summer all around.”
Pilon is on schedule to graduate next summer at which time he will turn his full attention to the NLL.
Mason Kamminga of the A’s was also selected (third round, Saskatchewan) while former A’s Teddy Leggett (sixth round, San Diego) and Brett Erskine (sixth round, Albany) were also chosen.
“It’s really been unbelievable to have four guys drafted out of the program,” Chcoski said. “The program keeps growing and growing and from top to bottom I’m so proud of everyone involved.”
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