By Devan Mighton
The Clippers had come so close in the past to conquering the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League’s Western Conference—a stacked loop full of juggernauts like the Six Nations Rebels, Elora Mohawks, and formerly the Orangeville Northmen.
In 2007, led by fifth-year veteran and third-year captain Trevor Veres, the then AKO Fratmen battled through the Niagara Thunderhawks and Elora before falling in a sweep to the eventual provincial and national champions from Six Nations.
It would be nine seasons before the Clippers, led by another fifth-year vet, second-year captain, and league scoring champion, Logan Holmes, would make it back to the Western Ontario championship. Battling through the Mohawks and Thunderhawks again, the Clippers fell in the deciding fifth game, on the road in Orangeville, ever so close to a team-first championship. Orangeville, like Nations, went on to win the provincial and national titles.
Alas, 2022 was the year. The Clippers, with Kaden Brennen captaining the ship, the insane goaltending of Chase Cosgrove, the timely offence of veterans like Zane Dalpe, Xander Derkatz, Malikye Good, and Connor McManus, as well as rookies Max Frattaroli and Calum Brennan, and the stingy defence of Nathan DeThomasis, Jack Bulmer, Kale and Kolton Couvillon, and Co., finally brought home the Marlene Soulliere Memorial Trophy as Western champions.
The Clippers walked through the Owen Sound North Stars, before facing epic battles with the Hamilton Bengals and the Elora Mohawks to clinch the Western crown. Unfortunately, the team ran into a stacked Nepean Knights team in the All-Ontario final, but, still, history was made.
This year’s team is set to be as strong as ever, however there are still many question marks.
“The older guys feel like if we get the guys back and they can all play here, we can take another run at it,” says Clippers’ head coach Jerry Kavanaugh. “If not, there are a few more question marks and we’ll see how those go early in the year. I think we’re pretty confident, either way, but if we get everybody back who’s eligible, we’ll have a monster season.”
Gone is Vancouver NLL draft pick Chase Cosgrove, spark plug Kolton Couvillon, fellow D-man Jacob McLellan, and offensive player Brandon Coulter. In addition, Dalpe, Derkatz, Good, and Kaden Brennan are exploring Junior A options, as of yet. Whatever may come, Kavanaugh is confident that the team’s depth will fill the gaps.
“We’d love to have them back, obviously, but if their future is Junior A, that’s okay too,” says the coach. “Other guys will step into those spots.”
The Clippers just finished a one-day preseason tournament in Six Nations, picking up a win against Welland and a couple close losses to the Rebels and Bengals.
Kavanaugh says that on the offensive side of the ball a lot of decisions will rely on the availability of Dalpe and Derkatz, but there are still plenty of other options.
“If they’re not back, we can still go McManus, Cal Brennan, and Nate Dowling’s back—he hasn’t played in a couple years and is looking pretty good on the right side,” he explains. “We also have a couple American prospects that will be here when school’s out for the right side of the offence.
“Left side, [Frattaroli] looked like an absolute beast this weekend and Malikye is as smooth as ever—and Quinn [Brennan]. Also, Vance Dalpe has taken big strides from last year—he looks great so far.”
Kavanaugh says that DeThomasis will continue his leadership role in the transition game for the Clippers in 2023.
“He scored almost 30 goals for us out the backdoor last year,” explains Kavanaugh. “He’s put on about 20 lbs. of muscle, working in the gym over the winter. He looks fantastic. Losing Couvs and his intensity level—we needed some meat there.”
The Clippers’ coach expects the defence to be as stingy as ever.
“Jack Bulmer is huge back there for us,” he says. “He’s Mr. Everything, whether he’s in the chaser spot, the anchor spot, or when we bring him up to offence.
“Seth Martineau and [Kale Couvillon] are still playing hockey, still in Leamington for the Sutherland Cup, when they’re done, we get them back. Those guys are both great for us.”
Bulmer, the linchpin of the Clippers defence, is motivated by last year’s result and is excited for 2023.
“The playoff run, last year, was something special that, I think, makes us all believe in each other more,” explains Bulmer. “Going through that together brings everyone closer. Hopefully, we can recreate that magic this year, starting and completing the job this year.”
“I think we have a team that got lots of experience last year during our playoff run. We lost some pretty large pieces, but we have younger guys that, I think, will do good with the extra expectation this year.”
The Clippers’ defensive core will be rounded out by Bailey Rolph, Connor Scott, Kane Murphy, Jacob Higgins, and Sam Bowling.
Kavanaugh says that the team is in wait-and-see mode when it comes to some of last year’s returnees, but saw some impressive results out of their prospects in Six Nations. He said that Quinn Brennan jumped right into the left side of the Clippers’ offence, making an impact, that Owen Coffey looked pretty solid on D, and that prospect goalies Jay Proctor and Marcus Stanley did well during their time between the pipes.
Ultimately, last year’s back-up and co-winner of the OLA Western Goalie of the Year award, Griffin Salaris, and last year’s third string goalie, MJ Schwager, will be the starting tandem.
“Griff and MJ will be the guys to start the season,” states Kavanaugh. “If they put in the effort, then they deserve the opportunity to show that they’re ready, but, like always, you have to prove yourself to stay there. I’m sure those two guys behind them are chomping, so hopefully they can get it done.”
“Griff played the entire Hamilton game and he was steady. We gave up four goals, three of them were breakaways and one outside shot, late, with a minute or so left. He was really solid. MJ was really solid too. He had two halves of two different games.”
There is optimism in the air at Forest Glade Arena, aka The Shipyard, as the Clippers’ season opens on the road in Guelph on Sunday, Apr. 30, followed by another roadie on Thursday, May 4 in Sarnia.
“We’ve been consistently one of the better four teams in this league for the years [our staff] has been here,” states Kavanaugh, whose staff includes coaches Andrew Ryckman, Cody and Logan Holmes, Chris Pestru, and equipment manager Dave DeRush. “I don’t think there’s any questions whether we’ll be a solid team, either way, but we’ve gotta wait and see what the rest of the league looks like too.”
The Clippers home opener will take place on Saturday, May 6 at 7 p.m. against the Welland Generals at The Shipyard, followed the next evening at 4 p.m. as they host Six Nations.
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