The Jr A National Lacrosse Championship is the Minto Cup. This year’s tournament will be held in Ontario. The Ontario Junior A Lacrosse twitter account recently tweeted that the August 19-28 tournament is still being scheduled to proceed. With that said the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League’s (RMLL) Jr A Division held their U16 (formerly named Midget) Draft on Sunday March 14th.
Representing Northern Alberta are the St. Albert Jr A Miners. General Manager Jamey Bowen, at the beginning of the draft and during the draft wrap-up, wishfully hoped for the return of lacrosse this spring. Broad stroke statement that actually works here – we all share your sentiment Mr. Bowen.
With the first overall pick of the draft the Miners select…
Luke Bowen, Parkland Posse
Dokken: 5’10”, right handed, both fast and strong. High lacrosse IQ with a very good shot.
Lintz: a lot of similarities to his Dad Jamey Bowen. Both have a really good outside shot and can finish on the inside. Can handle himself against biggest players. Won at every level he has been at. Really, really competitive kid. Source
With their second round pick, 4th overall, the Miners select…
Caden Gulka, Sherwood Park Titans
Dokken: 5’10”, right handed, features a good shot and a high lacrosse IQ. Fast!
Lintz: super athletic, really good at basketball and volleyball and it shines through into his lacrosse game. Creative player who will find ways to finish around the net. Source
Selected 7th overall in the third round of the draft…
Graham Dicken, Parkland Posse
Lintz: righty who is a tall, lanky, cerebral player. Really strong pick setter who finishes around the cage. 25 points in 17 games played in 2019. Source
Here is the rest of your 16U draftees:
- Jace Asay, North Edmonton Wizards
- Jarret Rogalsky, Parkland Posse
- Benjamin Royer, Parkland Posse
- Teegan Runions, Edmonton Warriors
- Jackson Porter, Leduc Crush
- Taryn Hutchings, Sherwood Park Titans
- Danny Fehr, Sherwood Park Titans
- Brayden Sinclair, Red Deer Chiefs
- Tosh Marshall, Red Deer Chiefs Midget B 2
- Austin Griffiths, Red Deer Chiefs
In an interview with Miners new Head Coach John Lintz shortly after the coaching announcement was made last spring, he stated the following about the 2020 draft class:
“Our focus though, is on the future, and given the abundance of talent we acquired through the midget draft – including names like Zach Basisty, Jack Royer, and Reese Barnes – we have every reason to be confident in where we are headed. Even players like Noah Jalal, Briley Maxwell, and Adam Lemieux demonstrate the depth of this year’s draft class and the outstanding job done by Edmonton and area’s minor lacrosse coaches.”
Plenty of new talent already patiently awaiting their chance to impress have now been joined another strong draft class. Will be fascinating to watch the Miners coaching staff work with and meld together the team in the upcoming 2021 season.
The regular season cannot get here fast enough. Stay tuned for updates from the League on a return to play schedule.
Edmonton Sports Fan 