2023 IIJL Commonwealth Cup Canada Roster Announced
The Canadian Lacrosse League is happy to announce the 18 Man Roster for Canada that will head to Melbourne, VIC Australia this month to compete for the 2023 IIJL Commonwealth Cup at the Altona Lacrosse Club and Allan Lewer Box Court.
All but three of the players selected have participated in at least one Regional Combine held over the last three seasons. Additionally, there are four returning players that have competed for Canada internationally; Marcus Visentin (Guelph Regals - OJBLL) and Cole Pottle (Queen City Kings - RMJBLL) both played at the 2022 IIJL World U18 Lacrosse Championship in Buffalo, NY, Aidan Wilson (Brantford Warriors - OJCLL, Hamilton Bengals - OJBLL) played at the 2021 IIJL World U17 Lacrosse Championship (since rebranded to the World U18s) in Massena, NY, and lastly Saskatchewan goaltender Shane Friesen (Saskatchewan SWAT - RMJALL) who helped backstopped Canada to a fourth consecutive gold medal at the 2022 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship in Winnipeg, MB.
Rounding out the goaltending duo is another Sask' keeper Ty Petersen (Saskatchewan SWAT - RMJALL). In front of the goalies and rounding out the remainder of the roster will be; from Saskatchewan Roman Marshall, Matthew St. Germain (Saskatchewan SWAT - RMJALL), Sylas Guenther (Saskatoon SWAT - RMJBLL), Mason Williams, Cashton Seaborg (Queen City Kings - RMJBLL), Liam Netmaker (Prince Albert Predators - PGLL), from British Columbia Noah Choi (Coquitlam Adanacs - BCJALL), Aidan Wattie (Vernon Tigers - TOJLL), from Ontario Connor Scott (Windsor Clippers - OJBLL), Julien Belair (Orangeville Northmen OJLL), from Alberta Ashton Spanos (Lethbridge Cudas - RMJBLL), from Quebec Nicolas Noiseux (South Shore Centurions - OJCLL), and from Manitoba William Angus (Winnipeg Blizzard - RMJBLL).
As the first Canadian junior team in history to visit Australia and promote box lacrosse globally, the CANDT roster will be utilized domestically to evaluate players ahead of the 2023 IIJL World Junior and World U18 Lacrosse Championships.
Australian Box Lacrosse will take a similar approach with the three city/state teams competing, selecting the best players to represent Australia in the Commonwealth Cup Final, further narrowing down the roster for the 2023 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship August 7-12, 2023.
The CLL and IIJL continue to provide platforms to develop box lacrosse internationally with individual players directly contributing. William Angus, who played for Australia at the 2022 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship as one of their Dispensation Players, is travelling to Australia and contributing to the growth and development of box down under.
"Our Commonwealth Cup roster came together organically, meeting a few specific needs heading into the next few championships." said Jeff Dowling, CANDT Head Coach. "Our focus was on '04s to '06s, building their leadership qualities, providing them with a valuable experience, and taking a deeper look at what we have at that age group." Dowling added.
Schedule and stats for the 2023 IIJL Commonwealth Cup can be found here. Links to the live stream will be released prior to the start of the tournament. To keep up to date with Canada Development Team follow the Canadian Lacrosse League on social media, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Information on Australian Box Lacrosse can be found on their website (click here) and on social media; Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
ABOUT THE IIJL COMMONWEALTH CUP
Established in 2019, the inaugural IIJL Commonwealth Cup will take place in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia March 15-18, 2023. Tickets for the 2023 IIJL Commonwealth Cup are available through the Altona Lacrosse Clubwebsite. Stay up to date using social media on Facebook and Instagram.