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of lacrosse. When American lacrosse players are playing summer club, Canadians are competing in intense box seasons. In the moment, we never considered it, but in hindsight, it is easy to recognize how lucky we were to have that platform to develop. Field lacrosse in Canada has always remained in the background. I can remember being initially scared off by field because we thought you had to use both hands to play. I look back to when I was introduced to field lacrosse and I have to laugh. It was a foreign concept for my friends and me, even though my hometown of Orangeville was a box lacrosse hotbed. It wasn’t until an older player in our town, Chris Sanderson, a Canadian lacrosse legend, ventured off to play at Virginia that I started understanding field lacrosse and the opportunities that existed in the NCAA. Chris encouraged my best friend, Kyle Miller, and I to tryout for the under-19 national team. Because a background in box lacrosse translates well to the offensive side of the ball in field lacrosse, Kyle and I knew we would never make the team as an attackman or midfielder. Kyle decided to play goalie, and I decided to pick up a long pole, strictly based on the numbers trying out for those positions. We both were fortunate to earn a spot on the team. It was an eye-opening experience, playing against young U.S. stars like Conor Gill and Kevin Cassese. We weren’t close to that level, but it exposed us to the level we needed to reach to compete at the next level of field lacrosse. We just didn’t have the experience in the field game. It has been amazing to witness first hand how
It has been amazing to witness first hand how field lacrosse has
changed in Canada.
field lacrosse has changed in Canada. In my time growing up playing field lacrosse, it was not uncommon to see a goalie in full box equipment. We basically looked at field lacrosse as box lacrosse on a bigger surface. Things clearly have changed, but I believe most Canadian players still are a little uncomfortable playing field. If you asked a Canadian lacrosse
player which game they prefer, the majority would say box. Box lacrosse is our game and remains our competitive advantage. It’s the
reason why we are able to compete with the U.S. on the international stage, while having a significantly smaller membership. It is a special experience to be a part of the Canadian national team. I’ve
been fortunate to experience it with my older brother as well as some of my closest friends. Lacrosse in Canada is a pretty tight-knit community, so when the national team is formed, there is a high comfort level and familiarity with your teammates and coaches. We speak the same language and approach the game in a similar way. Moving forward, we are carrying the legacy of two very influential Canadian lacrosse players: Sanderson and Miller. Both went to incredible lengths to fulfill their dream of representing their country. Both passed away in the last two years after extended battles with cancer; Miller in June 2013 and Sanderson a year earlier. In 2008, Sanderson was given nine to 12 months to live, but played in the 2010 world championship, and was named to the All-World team. Miller was diagnosed with cancer during his junior year at Cornell, and fought off the disease to be one of our goalies in 2006, along with Chris. Some of my best memories with the national team involve Kyle and Chris,
so it will be emotional to go through this experience without them. I can still remember sitting in the Western University dorms in Ontario with them after we won the gold in 2006. The noise from the game and celebration had gone away and we were able to quietly digest what had just happened and really enjoy the moment together. The national program meant so much to Chris and Kyle and what they accomplished for Canadian Lacrosse will be a big source of inspiration. LM
A Publication of US Lacrosse
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
In the 2010 gold medal game, Canada double poled the U.S. midfield, with Merrill drawing the Rabil assignment. It was a matchup of arguably the world’s top offensive player against its top defensive player, and it would be again in Denver.
Paul Rabil vs. Brodie Merrill
Zink figures to take the place of Shawn Nadelen as Team USA’s designated John Grant Jr. stopper. “The hardest type of guy in general is someone who is a physical dodger who wants to go to the goal hard,” Zink has said. “John Grant Jr., when he has the ball and he wants to go to the goal, he can use his strength to get where he wants.” The pair will be even more familiar with each other when the games arrive. They became teammates with Major League Lacrosse’s Denver Outlaws this season after Grant was traded there in the offseason.
Lee Zink vs. John Grant Jr.
Chris Eck vs. Geoff Snider
The faceoff battle will
be key, as it has been the last several times the U.S. and Canada have tangled. It was Alex Smith’s turn for Team USA in 2010, and he battled to a draw with Snider in the championship game. MLL veteran Chris Eck is next up. He is 82-for-162, a hair above 50 percent, against Snider in five career pro matchups. — C.M.
July 2014 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 57
©JOHN STROHSACKER (GS, CE, BM, PR); ©MARC PISCOTTY (JG, LZ)
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