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6 in 6: Halifax Northwest Marley Lions
2015-04-21
The Marley Lions have depth, a solid defence, and scoring ability, but can they rebound from a finals sweep in 2014 to return to the Garnet Knight Cup finals again in 2015? Click READ MORE for a team preview.
Six Teams Six Weeks ECJLL Team Preview
Next Up: Halifax Northwest Marley Lions
April 21, 2015
Colin Beiswanger
For a team that did everything but win a championship in 2014, anyone could predict Coach Tyler James’ ultimate goal heading into 2015 for the Halifax Northwest Marley Lions. Two big-time losses could either spell disaster for the Halifax Northwest club, or see younger players fill these roles and not miss a beat heading into a much-anticipated 2015 season now just two weeks away. Losing only two graduating players, this crop of young, but experienced players has a chance to recreate their 2014 regular season success, and push for a title heading into the playoffs.
This Lions are deep on both sides of the floor, and based on my conversation with Head Coach Tyler James expectations are sky-high. Having your top four point getters from a year ago returning, and a physical defence looking to regain the respect they had last year certainly goes a long way towards meeting those expectations.
Offseason
Offseason transactions:
On paper, looking at the roster now compared to a year ago, you could consider this a less talented group. Daley provided quality scoring on offence, and Cole Davis was a star in the making. However, these moves were made with the future in mind, as the deals netted two talented young players and an additional six first round picks over the next three years. As Coach James mentioned in conversations, the Northwest program does not have much talent moving up through the system for the foreseeable future. They have undoubtedly improved their future outlook; but will it come at the expense of a championship year?
The acquisitions of Ambrose and MacIntyre could be shrewd moves for the Lions, as both have NS Provincial Team and ECJLL experience, and both can play on either end of the floor.
Graduating Players
The Lions are losing two graduating players; Matt Hannam and Jordan Mackay. Hannam proved himself valuable with his athleticism down the stretch in 2014, while Mackay was a leader on the defence and had a positive influence on younger players.
Rookies and Young Impact Players.
The Lions only made one selection in this year’s MMLL Midget Entry Draft, taking Bedford Rock goaltender Alex Mitchell fourth overall. Alex was a member of the Midget Box Provincial team in 2014 and just came off a strong performance at the Metro High School Box Lacrosse tournament a couple weekends ago. Expect Alex and prospect Jack Nielson to replace fourth and fifth year tenders Brandon Deveau and Pat Keats in coming seasons.
Otherwise, many of the Lions top young players have already seen a season of action at the Junior level. A young core of players in Jerome Glowacki, Alex Campbell, Justin Misener and Tom Sangster will be the group that carries the torch for the Lions after the veterans who are routinely in the Top 25 in scoring move on.
Coach James mentioned Clark Hannam and Chris Walker as a duo he expects to take significant steps forward this year. Hannam was equally impressive on offence and defence, racking up 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists) in 14 games, and was counted on to lock down the opponents best players on the defensive side of the ball. In his first two seasons, Walker has already scored 57 goals.
Coaching Staff
Tyler James is bringing a loaded staff with him into the 2015 season. Returning are assistants Ryan Fougere and Josh Vincent, who, along with James, proved more than capable as an entirely new staff in 2014.
Two incoming assistants are newcomers to the ECJLL coaching scene in Colin Beiswanger (yours truly) and John Gagnier. Both are Halifax Northwest alumni, having experience coaching within the organization, and will be counted on to help guide the defence this season. Ali Rehman, a MUFLL teammate of Coach James on the Mount Allison Mounties, will also be joining the team for offensive and transitional support.
The team is welcoming back a vital support staff in manager Angela Quinn, team representative Rod Humphries, and trainer Chris Clarke.
Season Outlook
For a team with this much talent on both sides of the ball, it’s hard to believe they conceded their last four games in a clean sweep of the championship series at the hands of cross-town rival Halifax Southwest Hurricanes. Expect a different approach this year, gone is a brash and presumptuous group and replacing it is a team that feels like it has something to prove.
Expect the stars to shine bright again this year. Of the Top 7 league scorers of 2014, five remain, and four of them belong to the Lions. Expect John MacDonald, Paddy Quinn, Chris Walker, and Gavin Quigley to dominate the scoresheet after combining for 102 of the teams 169 goals in 2014. Keith Langille will lead an athletic defence that looks to re-establish itself as one of the leagues best with the help of stars Daniel MacEachern and Gee Clarke.
With the blockbuster trades of Cole Davis and Ryan Daley, expect Jerome Glowacki, Justin Misener, and Thomas Sangster to provide secondary scoring behind offensive leaders Quinn, MacDonald, and Quigley for the team in 2015. Their development and production on the floor will be vital to the Lions returning to the finals again this year.
Previous 6 Teams 6 Weeks Previews:
Week 1: Halifax Southwest Hurricanes
Week 2: Dartmouth Bandits
Week 3: Mi'kmaq Warriors
Week 4: Sackville Wolves
Next Up: Halifax Northwest Marley Lions
April 21, 2015
Colin Beiswanger
For a team that did everything but win a championship in 2014, anyone could predict Coach Tyler James’ ultimate goal heading into 2015 for the Halifax Northwest Marley Lions. Two big-time losses could either spell disaster for the Halifax Northwest club, or see younger players fill these roles and not miss a beat heading into a much-anticipated 2015 season now just two weeks away. Losing only two graduating players, this crop of young, but experienced players has a chance to recreate their 2014 regular season success, and push for a title heading into the playoffs.
This Lions are deep on both sides of the floor, and based on my conversation with Head Coach Tyler James expectations are sky-high. Having your top four point getters from a year ago returning, and a physical defence looking to regain the respect they had last year certainly goes a long way towards meeting those expectations.
Offseason
Offseason transactions:
- HNW Lions trade Ryan Daley to Dartmouth Bandits for their 2016, 2017 and 2018 first round MMLL Entry Draft picks (2018 conditional).
- Lions trade their 2nd round pick in the 2015 draft to Dartmouth Bandits for Jed MacIntyre.
- HNW Lions trade Cole Davis, 2015 1st round MUFLL pick, and 2015 3rd round MMLL pick to HSW Hurricanes for Riley Ambrose and Southwest’s 2016, 2017, and 2018 first round MMLL Entry Draft picks.
- Northwest trades goalie Dillon Odrowski to Mi’kmaq Warriors for the right to swap either Northwest’s 2016 2nd round pick, or Dartmouth’s 2016 2nd round pick for Mi’kmaq Warriors 2016 2nd round pick prior to the 2016 draft.
On paper, looking at the roster now compared to a year ago, you could consider this a less talented group. Daley provided quality scoring on offence, and Cole Davis was a star in the making. However, these moves were made with the future in mind, as the deals netted two talented young players and an additional six first round picks over the next three years. As Coach James mentioned in conversations, the Northwest program does not have much talent moving up through the system for the foreseeable future. They have undoubtedly improved their future outlook; but will it come at the expense of a championship year?
The acquisitions of Ambrose and MacIntyre could be shrewd moves for the Lions, as both have NS Provincial Team and ECJLL experience, and both can play on either end of the floor.
Graduating Players
The Lions are losing two graduating players; Matt Hannam and Jordan Mackay. Hannam proved himself valuable with his athleticism down the stretch in 2014, while Mackay was a leader on the defence and had a positive influence on younger players.
Rookies and Young Impact Players.
The Lions only made one selection in this year’s MMLL Midget Entry Draft, taking Bedford Rock goaltender Alex Mitchell fourth overall. Alex was a member of the Midget Box Provincial team in 2014 and just came off a strong performance at the Metro High School Box Lacrosse tournament a couple weekends ago. Expect Alex and prospect Jack Nielson to replace fourth and fifth year tenders Brandon Deveau and Pat Keats in coming seasons.
Otherwise, many of the Lions top young players have already seen a season of action at the Junior level. A young core of players in Jerome Glowacki, Alex Campbell, Justin Misener and Tom Sangster will be the group that carries the torch for the Lions after the veterans who are routinely in the Top 25 in scoring move on.
Coach James mentioned Clark Hannam and Chris Walker as a duo he expects to take significant steps forward this year. Hannam was equally impressive on offence and defence, racking up 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists) in 14 games, and was counted on to lock down the opponents best players on the defensive side of the ball. In his first two seasons, Walker has already scored 57 goals.
Coaching Staff
Tyler James is bringing a loaded staff with him into the 2015 season. Returning are assistants Ryan Fougere and Josh Vincent, who, along with James, proved more than capable as an entirely new staff in 2014.
Two incoming assistants are newcomers to the ECJLL coaching scene in Colin Beiswanger (yours truly) and John Gagnier. Both are Halifax Northwest alumni, having experience coaching within the organization, and will be counted on to help guide the defence this season. Ali Rehman, a MUFLL teammate of Coach James on the Mount Allison Mounties, will also be joining the team for offensive and transitional support.
The team is welcoming back a vital support staff in manager Angela Quinn, team representative Rod Humphries, and trainer Chris Clarke.
Season Outlook
For a team with this much talent on both sides of the ball, it’s hard to believe they conceded their last four games in a clean sweep of the championship series at the hands of cross-town rival Halifax Southwest Hurricanes. Expect a different approach this year, gone is a brash and presumptuous group and replacing it is a team that feels like it has something to prove.
Expect the stars to shine bright again this year. Of the Top 7 league scorers of 2014, five remain, and four of them belong to the Lions. Expect John MacDonald, Paddy Quinn, Chris Walker, and Gavin Quigley to dominate the scoresheet after combining for 102 of the teams 169 goals in 2014. Keith Langille will lead an athletic defence that looks to re-establish itself as one of the leagues best with the help of stars Daniel MacEachern and Gee Clarke.
With the blockbuster trades of Cole Davis and Ryan Daley, expect Jerome Glowacki, Justin Misener, and Thomas Sangster to provide secondary scoring behind offensive leaders Quinn, MacDonald, and Quigley for the team in 2015. Their development and production on the floor will be vital to the Lions returning to the finals again this year.
Previous 6 Teams 6 Weeks Previews:
Week 1: Halifax Southwest Hurricanes
Week 2: Dartmouth Bandits
Week 3: Mi'kmaq Warriors
Week 4: Sackville Wolves