Admirals host lacrosse clinic in Harrow

The Amherstburg Admirals Jr. C hockey team welcomed youth last week to the Harrow Arena for a lacrosse clinic. The clinic is expected to become an annual event.

Canada’s two national sports, hockey and lacrosse met up last week at the Harrow Arena.

The Amherstburg Admirals of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (Jr. C) hosted a youth lacrosse skills clinic and over two dozen players hit the floor.

“For the first time, it’s a good turnout. A lot of it is because of interest and a lot of it is because of the coaches we have,” said Admirals co-owner Greg Crain who organized the clinic.

Among the guest coaches was Max Frattaroli, whose older brother Matteo suited up for the Admirals for two years before going over to Lakeshore.

Max played lacrosse for Kitchener Kodiaks Jr. A team where he was a leading offensive contributor and a member of the Team Canada U22 field lacrosse team. He is now headed to Rutgers University in the United States.

“I feel we need more kids playing lacrosse. It helps in so many different ways especially if your kid plays hockey,” said Frattaroli.

Frattaroli played hockey for the LaSalle Vipers Jr. B team before committing full time to his pursuit of possibly making it to the National Lacrosse League.

“I played hockey but I like lacrosse more and there are more opportunities for scholarships.”

On the floor of the Harrow Arena last week, coaches were putting both experienced and newcomers through their paces. Rolling off checks, learning to be disciplined and picking up ground balls were just a few of the basic skills taught.

Besides Frattaroli, Trevor Learn from the Grand Rapids Grizzlies Sr. A team was putting players through the drills along with professional players, Liam and brother Kellen LeClair. Liam plays for the Calgary Roughneck and Kellen with the San Diego Seals.

According to Crain, the AddysLax skills clinic will be held again next year and he says the local junior club is committed to being involved in the community.

“With the Admirals, it’s one of our pillars. We want to be involved in the community no matter what it is. This is another segment of giving back and keeping kids in sport,” said Crain.

SLAPSHOTS: The Admirals open training camp on Aug. 28 in Tecumseh and will host Lakeshore Sept. 3 in Tecumseh… The team announced the commitment of Alex Schneider who played for the Windsor Junior Spitfires U18 AAA team last year… Matteo Frattaroli is attending medical school.

Admirals host lacrosse clinic in Harrow

By Fred Groves