Team Canada selects roster for U-19 Men's World Championship

Courtesy: CLA
 
March 3, 2016- The Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) and Dean French, Team Canada Chairman, are proud to announce Canada's roster for the upcoming Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) U19 Men's Lacrosse World Championship taking place July 7-16, 2016 in Coquitlam, BC.  
 
"We knew choosing these 24 young men was going to be a challenge. It took a lot of deliberation and careful discussion about the things we thought our team needed to compete for a world championship" stated Team Canada head coach Taylor Wray (Edmonton, AB; Saint Josephs University). "In the end, we tried to select the best TEAM possible. This process is very different from simply choosing an all-star team. There are certainly all-star caliber players that were not selected and that speaks to the depth of talent our country has been able to produce."
 
As Dave Huntley, CLA Director of Men's Field Program explained, the process of selecting the team began over a year ago - "We started with the over 200 tryout applications, and through our selection camp and exhibition game versus Team USA, it was clear to us that the grassroots programs in Canada are producing not just talented athletes, but terrific young people. Our staff is very fortunate to have had so many good choices available to them as they assembled this team."
 
Today, the CLA is pleased to recognize the following 24 players on being named to Team Canada.
 
Team Canada
2016 Men's U19 World Championship
First Name
Last Name
Position
Minor Association
Junior Team
Mathieu
Boissonneault
Defense
Whitby (ON)
Whitby (ON)
Caelahn
Bullen
Goal
Calgary (AB)
Calgary (AB)
Riley
Curtis
Midfield
Brampton (ON)
Brampton (ON)
Jonathan
Donville
Midfield
Oakville (ON)
Mimico (ON)
Dalton
Follows
Midfield
Oakville (ON)
Oakville (ON)
Ben
French
Attack
Brampton (ON)
Oakville (ON)
Kyle
Hebert
Goal
Burlington (ON)
Oakville (ON)
Jeffrey
Henrick
Defense
Orangeville (ON)
Orangeville (ON)
Mackenzie
Iaccoca
Midfield
Guelph (ON)
Guelph (ON)
Justin
Inacio
Facce-Off
Oakville (ON)
Burlington (ON)
Matthew
Kim
Facce-Off
Oakville (ON)
Oakville (ON)
Marshall
King
Midfield
Victoria (BC)
Victoria (BC)
Kyle
Kolwich
Defense
Oakville (ON)
Oakville (ON)
Ryan
Lanchbury
Attack
Burlington (ON)
Burlington (ON)
Treton
Leclaire
Midfield
Surrey (BC)
Delta (BC)
Clarke
Petterson
Midfield
Mimico (ON)
Brampton (ON)
Drake
Porter
Goal
Aurora (ON)
Newmarket (ON)
Ryland
Rees
Defense
Port Coquitlam (BC)
Port Coquitlam (BC)
Thomas
Semple
Attack
Coquitlam (BC)
Coquitlam (BC)
Robert
Stovel
Defense
Fergus (ON)
Toronto (ON)
Jackson
Suboch
Defense
Mimico (ON)
Mimico (ON)
Jeff
Teat
Attack
Brampton (ON)
Brampton (ON)
John
Wagner
Midfield
St. Davids (ON)
Niagara (ON)
Ethan
Walker
Attack
Peterborough (ON)
Peterborough (ON)
 
Coach Wray was quick to acknowledge the accomplishment of those selected for the team, saying "I want to congratulate the players on the final roster; it is a tremendous honor and major accomplishment. There is no greater achievement in sports than to be able to represent your country at international competition." With the team now selected, we've taken the first step and the journey to achieve our goal of winning a world championship can begin."
 
This group of young men from across the country will proudly wear the maple leaf as they take the field this summer in hopes of continuing the international success that their Team Canada counterparts have had in recent years. In 2015, Team Canada claimed gold at both the U19 Women's World Championship and the Men's World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.
 
The USA has dominated the U19 Men's World Championship since its inception in 1988, claiming the gold medal in each of the seven events. Team Canada, which has remained competitive taking home a total of six silver medals, will look to unseat the American's atop the podium in 2016. Our nation's best will compete against a large contingent of teams, including newcomers Taiwan, Hong Kong, Colombia, Ireland, and Israel, along with mainstays USA, Finland, Australia, England, and Germany.    
 
"This is an important achievement in each of these athlete's careers. We know they are grateful for the support and leadership of their families, communities and teammates" commented Dave Huntley. "We are confident they will represent Canada well, on and off the field, when we compete for a World Championship in Coquitlam this July."
 
For more information on the FIL U19 Men's World Championship, visit www.2016worldlax.com. You can also follow Team Canada's journey on Facebook and Twitter.
 
 
About the Canadian Lacrosse Association  
Founded in 1867, the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) is the governing body responsible for all aspects of lacrosse in Canada. Our organization is comprised of 10 Member Associations representing nearly 80,000 individual participants, including coaches, officials, and athletes of all ages and abilities. The CLA's mission is to honour the sport of lacrosse and its unique nation-building heritage, by engaging our members, leading our partners, and providing opportunities for all Canadians to participate. We strive to accomplish this while adhering to our core values of health, excellence, accountability, respect and teamwork. The CLA oversees the delivery of numerous national championships and the participation of Team Canada at all international events sanctioned by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The CLA is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values, including our corporate partners - Warrior Sports, New Balance Athletics, Westjet, and Baron Rings - as well as our funding partners the Government of Canada, the Coaching Association of Canada, and the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation. For more information on Canadian Lacrosse Association and the sport of lacrosse, visit our website at www.lacrosse.ca and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
 
 
For more information, please contact:
 
Alain Brouillette
Communications, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator
Canadian Lacrosse Association
Phone: 613-260-2028 ext. 302
Email: alain@lacrosse.ca