Hope springs eternal as the Okotoks Marauders hit the five year mark as a franchise.
The Marauders open season five in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League’s Jr. B Tier I ranks armed with a refurbished goaltending and defensive unit under new head coach Don Haynes.
“We look forward to having a better year this year,” said Haynes, an assistant coach with the club the last two seasons. “I would have thought at the beginning of the year that expectations would be to make the playoffs, but the way things are shaping up and if we don’t lose guys I wouldn’t see why going to Founders Cup wouldn’t be our end goal at the end of the year.”
For Okotoks to win its way into the national championship it will need to find its consistency.
The Marauders opened last season in decent form with back-to-back wins through the six-game mark before dropping 13 of its final 14 contests.
They will have a completely new look in between the pipes after the graduation of four-year stalwart Kyle Vernon in goal. Okotoks addressed the position in the draft with the selection of a trio of netminders from Okotoks and High River in Jared Ferris, Carson McKenzie and Brendyn Kendall.
“We drafted some really quality players,” Haynes said. “All three are local kids which is pretty exciting.”
On defence is where the team is expected to take the biggest leap forward.
First-overall pick Turner Dirk out of Rockyview, freshman force Luke Welton, sophomore Stephen MacNutt and the bruising Kaleb Burnett, back after a couple years out due to injury, should be key cogs in the defensive wheel.
“Where we’ve improved quite a bit is athletically on defence,” the coach added. “We’ve got quite a few guys that could play both sides of the ball.
“Turner is a real exciting ball player to watch on the defensive end. Luke Welton, is a very physical d-guy. He will be moving around some bodies.”
Returning to the fold on offence is lefty ace Taylor McNeill.
The powerplay specialist finished fourth in the loop with 39 goals and seventh with 82 points.
Veteran lefties in Gage Turner, captain Matt McKay, Taylor Haince, slick righty Eric Porter and new addition Sean Garlock give the squad several options out of the front gate.
Okotoks raises the curtain on the 2017 campaign on April 30 when it takes on the Edmonton Warriors at 1:30 p.m. at Murray Arena. It’s the second of back-to-back junior lacrosse action at the Murray with the Lady Raiders playing their first game in their inaugural season at 11 a.m.
“It’s always exciting getting the first one going,” Haynes said. “I’m expecting the guys to be ready to go. It’s going to be good, hard lacrosse.
“In this league you never know. Anyone can win or lose on a good day or a bad day.”
For full schedule information go to rockymountainlax.com
