They are still auditioning goaltenders, waiting for a few veterans to finish university courses and have already listed two players on injury reserve.
The Vernon Re/Max Tigers, however, will have 18 runners ready to go full tilt in their Thompson-Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League opener versus the Armstrong Shamrocks Saturday night at Wesbild Centre.
Last year’s co-coaches Rich Zecchel and Bryan Klein have stepped aside with Zecchel serving and president and GM. In as head coach is Myles Brumpton, the team’s bench boss in 2007-08.
“I’ve really got to thank Bryan and Rich for leaving the team with a winning record and winning attitude,” said Brumpton, a 43-year-old with senior A playing experience with Coquitlam Adanacs, Vancouver Burrards and Brampton Excelsiors.
“It’s all new systems and coaches so it’s a 180 for these guys, but they’re smart and willing to learn. I wanted to come back and finish what I started with these guys. It’s in my blood.”
The Tigers will sorely miss captain Rob Short, goalie Josh Phillips, rock-solid Blake Lewis and rugged Braidy Webb, who all aged out except for Phillips, but Brumpton said Vernon will have a good mix of youth and veterans.
“Those veterans have left a good foundation, much like the Vipers do each year. I’m so impressed with that organization.”
Brumpton, who was blessed with major ball handling skill as a player, will get plenty of help behind the bench. Assistants Dave McWhirter, Rob Johnson and Tom Frame all bring years of junior A, senior A and NCAA field lacrosse experience, or what Brumpton calls a “high lacrosse IQ.”
The Tigers, who won a provincial silver medal in 2009 and fell to the Kamloops Venom in a heated league final last year, will score by committee but should get consistent offence from roadrunner Bayne Bosquet (out with sprained ankle), Brooks Christensen and Riley Soleway.
Jay Seaton, a field lacrosse star, Braden Barr and Colton Hanley have made the Tigers after sparking Vernon to the B.C. Midget A2 gold medal last year. Mitch Steel, Brumpton’s nephew, has joined the Tigers after a year with the Shamrocks.
Veteran Brett Hanna, a Salmon Arm product, will be the Cats’ captain.
“We polled the players and then made our decision,” said Brumpton, an executive at Okanagan Spring Brewery. “He’s kind of like Jonathan Toews (NHL Blackhawks). He’s a quiet leader who leads by example, but he’s not afraid to speak up. He oozes leadership qualities.”
The alternate captains, who Brumpton describes as “key quality guys”, are Joey Klein, Craig Bigsby, Brennan Plante and Jake Soleway.
Field lacrosse ace Ryan Landels is at a junior A camp in Edmonton, while Phillips is pegged to play junior A in Coquitlam.
Jake Soleway, who is studying at UBC in Vancouver, is expected to play Saturday. Veteran Miles Jespersen, in the commerce program at the University of Victoria, is doubtful.
Other returnees include Darren Kirby, Nolan Frame, Ryan Oliverius, Austin Lewarne and Matt Kolb. Cole Lawrie, a lefty who separated his shoulder in a fight during the Armstrong Ice Breaker, will be out for a few weeks.
Highly athletic Chris Hamilton, a lefty, is learning the game on the fly in his first year of lacrosse.
Josh Point, who backed up Phillips last season, is in a three-way net detective battle with imports from Cranbrook and Prince George.
The Tigers will play a 15-game schedule in the six-team loop. The Kelowna Warriors and Rutland Raiders have merged and will be known as the Kelowna Raiders.
The provincials are the August long weekend in Kamloops.
