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6 in 6: Mi'kmaq Warriors
2015-04-06
6 Teams 6 Weeks Preview: Mi'kmaq Warriors. New team, new hope. The expansion Warriors are in tough against top level maritime Jr A talent, but this group has all the makings of a winner long term. Click READ MORE for a team preview.
6 Teams in 6 Weeks ECJLL Preview
Next up: Mi’kmaq Warriors
April 6, 2015
Colin Beiswanger
League expansion, in any sport, can be met with great optimism and hope but almost always comes with initial growing pains. The Mi’kmaq Warriors will look to shake that stereotype and compete from the start in a top-heavy East Coast Junior Lacrosse League.
The team has reason for optimism. With a legitimate General Manager and a league-best coaching staff, the foundation is certainly in place from day one. The roster is loaded with young, local players that are filled with enthusiasm for the game, and will be counted on as the backbone of the team for years to come. With that being said, will the upstart be able to compete with the established, metro powers?
Offseason
Offseason transactions:
The Warriors were markedly active in offseason dealings, most notably swapping their first overall selection in the 2015 MMLL Entry Draft for Bryson Knockwood, Matt Pennell, and Truro native Chris Burgess. There was speculation that the Warriors were looking to acquire Knockwood, but uncertainty surrounding what they were willing to concede for his services.
In dealing the first overall pick they lost the right to select Midget League scoring champ and top prospect Connor Aquanno. This trade could prove beneficial for both teams in the long run, as Sackville desperately needed a player with Aquanno’s skill, and Truro added significant depth to their organization.
Rookies and Young Impact Players
The Warriors focus has been acquiring talent that has Jr A experience, and most importantly bringing local talent home to play. Unfortunately that meant conceding many of their Entry Draft picks. However, the Warriors did make three picks, selecting Tanner Morgan (Bedford Rock), Ryan Tobin (St. Margaret’s Storm), and Ryan Arsenault (Valley Thunder). Look for these players to develop and potentially make an impact in future years with the club.
In 2015, the Warriors have identified players that are expected to carry the load. Nine players listed on the Mi’kmaq Warriors roster have ECJLL experience. Chris Burgess played in 13 games for the Sackville Wolves last year and also has experience playing on the Nova Scotia Field team. Quinten Gloade had four goals in 9 games for the Sackville Wolves. Look for these two paired with Bryson Knockwood to lead what will be a thin offensive unit.
In speaking with Head Coach Chet Koneczny via email he stated that he expects Billie Julian, Zach Julian, and Julien Hepworth to take significant steps forward on the floor and off in leading such a young group of players.
The defence will rely on strong play from a pair of former Intermediate goaltenders. Recently acquired goaltender Dillon Odrowski played for St Margarets in 2014, but has Junior A experience, having gone 4-1-2 with an 8.88 GAA in his successful 2013 rookie season with Northwest. He will duke it out with local product Tim Lamont for the starting job.
Coaching Staff
While their ECJLL coaching experience is lacking, no one can second-guess the group that will be leading the Mi’kmaq Warriors into their inaugural season. Head Coach Chet Koneczny has significant National Lacrosse League experience having played for Orlando, Washington, and Colorado, as well as on the senior circuit in both British Columbia and Ontario.
Brandon Sanderson was recently announced as an assistant and comes with significant experience, having played in multiple national championships at the Junior and Senior level. These two, combined with Truro native and NS Senior player Jamie Barnett provide the most experience of any coaching group in the ECJLL.
Along with Brendon Smithson as General Manager, the team has a staff in place that will be the backbone of the organization for years to come. In a time of uncertainty such as an expansion season, you need this structure to ensure a long-term approach to building a club.
Season Outlook
It’s truly hard to judge a team that has yet to take the floor. While the team lacks experience, the structure is in place to develop a winner down the road. At the very least, expect the look of a high-caliber offense, and disciplined defense thanks to an experienced coaching staff. Coach Koneczny reiterated to me that he wants this year’s group to be hard working, tough, fit, humble and respected. You have to appreciate his soft approach to setting lofty goals early, as you truly need to gauge expectations with an expansion group.
In a town that rallies behind their boys and girls in football, baseball, and hockey, expect the team to have a significant following in Truro and the surrounding Colchester County. That can only bode well for the future of this budding franchise, and frankly one that I will be watching closely throughout the season.
Next up: Mi’kmaq Warriors
April 6, 2015
Colin Beiswanger
League expansion, in any sport, can be met with great optimism and hope but almost always comes with initial growing pains. The Mi’kmaq Warriors will look to shake that stereotype and compete from the start in a top-heavy East Coast Junior Lacrosse League.
The team has reason for optimism. With a legitimate General Manager and a league-best coaching staff, the foundation is certainly in place from day one. The roster is loaded with young, local players that are filled with enthusiasm for the game, and will be counted on as the backbone of the team for years to come. With that being said, will the upstart be able to compete with the established, metro powers?
Offseason
Offseason transactions:
- MW trades 2015, 2016 1st round MUFLL picks to Southwest for Southwest’s 2015 and 2016 2nd round MMLL picks, and 2017 3rd round MMLL pick.
- MW trades 2015 1st and 2nd round MMLL picks to Sackville for 2015 2nd round MUFLL pick, Bryson Knockwood, Chris Burgess and Matt Pennel.
- As part of the expansion agreement the following picks were sacrificed for the return of local players to MW:
- Brennon Googoo – Dartmouth - 2016 3rd round draft pick;
- Quinton Gload – Sackville - 2015 4th round draft pick;
- Steven Johnson – Sackville - 2015 3rd round draft pick; and
- Billy Julian – Sackville - 2016 4th round draft pick.
The Warriors were markedly active in offseason dealings, most notably swapping their first overall selection in the 2015 MMLL Entry Draft for Bryson Knockwood, Matt Pennell, and Truro native Chris Burgess. There was speculation that the Warriors were looking to acquire Knockwood, but uncertainty surrounding what they were willing to concede for his services.
In dealing the first overall pick they lost the right to select Midget League scoring champ and top prospect Connor Aquanno. This trade could prove beneficial for both teams in the long run, as Sackville desperately needed a player with Aquanno’s skill, and Truro added significant depth to their organization.
Rookies and Young Impact Players
The Warriors focus has been acquiring talent that has Jr A experience, and most importantly bringing local talent home to play. Unfortunately that meant conceding many of their Entry Draft picks. However, the Warriors did make three picks, selecting Tanner Morgan (Bedford Rock), Ryan Tobin (St. Margaret’s Storm), and Ryan Arsenault (Valley Thunder). Look for these players to develop and potentially make an impact in future years with the club.
In 2015, the Warriors have identified players that are expected to carry the load. Nine players listed on the Mi’kmaq Warriors roster have ECJLL experience. Chris Burgess played in 13 games for the Sackville Wolves last year and also has experience playing on the Nova Scotia Field team. Quinten Gloade had four goals in 9 games for the Sackville Wolves. Look for these two paired with Bryson Knockwood to lead what will be a thin offensive unit.
In speaking with Head Coach Chet Koneczny via email he stated that he expects Billie Julian, Zach Julian, and Julien Hepworth to take significant steps forward on the floor and off in leading such a young group of players.
The defence will rely on strong play from a pair of former Intermediate goaltenders. Recently acquired goaltender Dillon Odrowski played for St Margarets in 2014, but has Junior A experience, having gone 4-1-2 with an 8.88 GAA in his successful 2013 rookie season with Northwest. He will duke it out with local product Tim Lamont for the starting job.
Coaching Staff
While their ECJLL coaching experience is lacking, no one can second-guess the group that will be leading the Mi’kmaq Warriors into their inaugural season. Head Coach Chet Koneczny has significant National Lacrosse League experience having played for Orlando, Washington, and Colorado, as well as on the senior circuit in both British Columbia and Ontario.
Brandon Sanderson was recently announced as an assistant and comes with significant experience, having played in multiple national championships at the Junior and Senior level. These two, combined with Truro native and NS Senior player Jamie Barnett provide the most experience of any coaching group in the ECJLL.
Along with Brendon Smithson as General Manager, the team has a staff in place that will be the backbone of the organization for years to come. In a time of uncertainty such as an expansion season, you need this structure to ensure a long-term approach to building a club.
Season Outlook
It’s truly hard to judge a team that has yet to take the floor. While the team lacks experience, the structure is in place to develop a winner down the road. At the very least, expect the look of a high-caliber offense, and disciplined defense thanks to an experienced coaching staff. Coach Koneczny reiterated to me that he wants this year’s group to be hard working, tough, fit, humble and respected. You have to appreciate his soft approach to setting lofty goals early, as you truly need to gauge expectations with an expansion group.
In a town that rallies behind their boys and girls in football, baseball, and hockey, expect the team to have a significant following in Truro and the surrounding Colchester County. That can only bode well for the future of this budding franchise, and frankly one that I will be watching closely throughout the season.