With less than two weeks before their Ice Breaker Senior Men’s Lacrosse Tournament, the Armstrong Shamrocks are busy preparing for the 2011 season and their quest to win the Shaw Cup.
This year the Rocks will feature a much younger lineup, with the addition of five junior Shamrock graduates joining their ranks. Jarrett Medhurst, Logan Strohm and Dalaney Halifax will provide a much needed boost to Armstrong’s offence, while Mike Belenger and Dustin Heitman will add a bit of grit to the defence.
However, the team will be without a few key veterans this year with the retirement of Pat Nelson and Glenn Mitchell, along with the departure of Nathan Strohm to the RCMP training depot in Regina.
With the loss of one Strohm, the Shamrocks welcome back another as Shaun Strohm makes his return after taking last year off to focus on his studies.
The Shamrocks also return captain Chad Pounder, who has also taken on the coaching reins, along with last year’s team MVP, and OKXLL Top Goalie Chad Pieper. Defensive specialists Shaun Koenig and Braydon Sanders, and offensive stars Brett Logan and Marc Wagner are also in the mix.
Throughout training camp, the Rocks have been working hard implementing some new systems, and on improving individual skills.
The Shamrocks begin Ice Breaker action Friday, April 8, 5:30 p.m. against the Junior Shamrocks. Other teams participating include the Vernon Tigers, Kelowna Raiders, Kamloops Rattlers, Prince George Stylers, Maple Ridge Attack and the Spruce Grove Slash.
The Shamrocks welcome any new players to the area that want to come to play lacrosse, or volunteers to help out on game nights. Contact general manager Chad Pieper at chad.pieper@gmail.com.
