Raiders' rookie leads the way for Okotoks squad

Lacrosse: Cattoni stands out in first Junior A season

Cole Christensen/OWW

Okotoks Junior A Raiders rookie Holden Cattoni catches a pass during Okotoks' 9-4 victory over the Edmonton Miners on May 29 at the Centennial Arena.

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After dominating the Midget ranks last season, an Okotoks Jr. A Raiders rookie has taken his game to the next level.

It has not taken much time for first-year forward Holden Cattoni to adjust to the Junior A ranks as the DeWinton native leads the Raiders with 20 goals through the first 10 games.

“It’s been a fast start for me,” Cattoni said, following the Raiders’ 9-4 victory over the Edmonton Miners on May 29 at the Centennial Arena in Okotoks.

The Raiders’ second-overall draft pick in 2010 has exceeded expectations in his inaugural season with the club.

“He’s got a bright future in this game, no doubt. We’re ecstatic to have him,” Okotoks’ bench boss Bruce Codd said.

After the Calgary Mountaineers passed on Cattoni with the first overall pick in favour of a goaltender, Codd said he and the rest of the Raiders’ staff were smiling all the way to the bank with their chance to take the Midget standout.

“He’s an impact player already,” Codd said of the 17-year old.

While he acknowledged the pressure of being a high draft selection, Cattoni said he has relied on the Raiders’ veteran leadership to steer him through his rookie campaign.

“I’m just trying to thrive off the time I’m out there and learn from the older guys that play offence,” he said.

Averaging two goals a game certainly suggests Cattoni has caught on to the Junior A game right away.

However, the fact his offensive totals have been so high was a surprise to Cattoni, but he said he didn’t expect to just fly under the radar in his first season.

“I would expect it from myself to go out there and contribute every game but it’s definitely a little of a surprise to be leading the team,” Cattoni explained.

The Raider rookie has noticed major differences in the level of play from Midget to Junior.

“I notice it’s a lot faster, that’s the biggest thing. It’s a lot more of a team game,” he said.

Cattoni also said he has had to work on his transition game after generally focusing solely on offence in his Midget career.

Given his outstanding statistics, it is easy to see why the Raiders’ coaching staff has been pleased with their top scorer’s performance.

However, Codd also noted how impressed he was by Cattoni’s ability to play alongside the older players in the league.

Normally, he added, there is an intimidation factor for those under 18 joining the higher ranks.

“He certainly isn’t intimidated,” Codd explained. “He’s got confidence in his ability and it shows.”

Success has followed Cattoni throughout his lacrosse career.

The Raiders rookie toiled with the Calgary Midget A Axemen in 2010 and was the leading scorer at the 2010 Midget Box Canadian National Championship.

Cattoni not only parlayed his Midget success into a high draft selection but also a spot at one of the most prestigious universities for lacrosse in North America.

After putting up a video of himself showcasing his skills on Youtube, Cattoni passed along the footage to John Hopkins University.

Officials at the university reciprocated their interest and hosted Cattoni for a visit last August.

After being blown away by a tour of the campus, the DeWinton resident committed to join the Baltimore school for the fall of 2011.

“I couldn’t be more happy,” Cattoni explained. “It’s an unbelievable lacrosse program.”

The fact John Hopkins University is also home to a renowned medical program was a bonus for Cattoni, who hopes to follow a career in medicine while pursuing his lacrosse dream.

Due to the NCAA schedule, Cattoni will also be able to balance his Raider career with post-secondary interests.

With the collegiate lacrosse championship happening on Memorial Day in the United States, Cattoni said he would be able to be back in Okotoks for the majority of the indoor season in the future — after he helps John Hopkins University win an NCAA title perhaps.