Admirals set to host lacrosse skills session in Harrow
- Fred Groves
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
It may be the off-season, but the Amherstburg Admirals are very busy.
Between welcoming nine rookies fresh out of minor hockey, and hosting a cornhole tournament, the local Provincial Junior Hockey League Jr. cclub is thinking outside of the box.
The Admirals are presenting something a little different – a lacrosse skills camp.
“(Owner) Greg Crain had the idea and he got three or four coaches. The response has been really good,” said Admirals GM Andrew Sykes. “It’s to offer something else, it’s a demand. It’s an avenue to get new fans. A lot of lacrosse players play hockey.”
Anyone wanting to sign up for the skills camp can contact Sykes at asykes7@hotmail.com. Among the guest instructors are Liam LeClair, who plays pro lacrosse for the Calgary Roughnecks and Kellen LeClair of the San Diego Seals. Also expected are Max Frattaroli and Trevor Learn.
The Admirals hosted a cornhole tournament last Friday night along with a 50-50 draw at the Columbian Club in McGregor.
The off-season has been a busy one already for the locals that compiled a 15-21-6-0 record in the West Stobbs Division before knocking off the Mooretown Flags in dramatic fashion in the first round of the playoffs.
Amherstburg traded away its top player Stefan Djordjevic and in return got one of the best goalies in the loop, overager Hunter Welk from the Lakeshore Canadiens.
“There is nothing new,” said Sykes of any deals going on. “We’ve got two or three guys who have requested trades and negotiations are on-going.”
Perhaps the biggest concern for the Admirals as they approach the 2026-27 season is the blueline. Look for third year Freddie McCroy to be the go-to guy back there.
“We are definitely looking for a top-flight defenceman and I wouldn’t say no to a top-flight forward. A replacement for our defencemen is our biggest want right now,” said Sykes.
Head coach Paul Bortignon will rely on returnee Cale Marontate who steps into the number one centre role after the departure of overager captain Drew Booker. Marontate joined the Admirals last year after winning a Sutherland Cup with the Chatham Maroons Jr. B team. Last year he had 19 points during the regular season and was a huge factor in the post-season win over the Flags.
“He’ll be a leader for sure. Last year he kind of took a back seat because it was his first year. This year, him, along with McCurdy, (Finnigan) Russett and (Cory) Leach will all be leaders. He (Marontate) is someone who does everything well.”
The Amherstburg Admirals have their training camp in Tecumseh Aug. 28-30 and will have a pre-season game against Lakeshore in Tecumseh Sept.9
SLAPSHOTS… Former Admirals head coach Zach Gervais is now an assistant coach with the Lakeshore Canadiens.
Admirals set to host lacrosse skills session in Harrow
By Fred Groves