A one-time all-star netminder in the National Lacrosse League, Capreol native Mike Miron has led the Sudbury U22 Rockhounds to three straight provincial banners: the first one in “C” division and the past two in the “B” bracket.
Though there is some turnover this year, the 2025 version of the squad might be more talented than any of the past three – and still might not win a provincial title.
Of course, if that is the case, the Sudbury lads likely will have finally cracked the top end “A” classification that they felt they deserved one year ago. If battling with the very best teams in the province comes at the expense of a four-peat, so be it.
“It looks amazing this year,” noted 18 year-old forward Kai D’Amour, a member of the past two gold medal winning OLA teams. “I think we’re stronger than last year, for sure. I think we have an even more solid defense; we have a lot of big guys on defense.”
Sturgeon Falls native Noah Tremblay is one of those “big guys” that D’Amour is possibly referring to. A first year student at Laurentian University (Kinesiology), the 18 year-old was approached by a member of the Voyageurs’ field lacrosse team last fall about joining the outdoor crew.
To be clear, Tremblay had no field lacrosse background. In fact, he has no lacrosse background at all. “The sports I really played in high-school were basketball, badminton and track and field,” said the graduate of Northern Secondary School.
Thankfully, of those, basketball is not a bad starting point for lacrosse, given the similarities in how set plays are run.
“Someone explained it to me, when I first started, that it was a lot like playing zone defense because you imagine that string between defenders, that you all have to be moving at the same time,” said Tremblay.
“No matter how the offense moves, the defense collapses and adapts to what is coming.”
Where many a local talent who has gone on to play field at L.U. learned the box game first and foremost, Tremblay comes at it from the opposite direction.
It’s made for an interesting adjustment to date – in part because the 6’0” lad was tabbed as a defender in the outdoor game, manned with a long pole that is a good two feet or more longer than the indoor stick he will carry as a member of the Rockhounds.
“The skills that I developed at long pole transferred really well to the short stick,” Tremblay stated. “And you have a lot more mobility here. I can run with the ball a lot easier than with the long stick. With the long stick, I am a lot more stationary.”
If Tremblay is learning as he goes, D’Amour is already keenly aware of what he needs to do in order to contribute in a positive manner to the team. At 5’7”, the grade 12 student at St Charles College will play a vastly different game than his defensive-minded counterpart.
“I have to get low a lot,” said D’Amour, who joins the likes of Alex Hachez, Ashton Eadie, Ben Harris, Xavier Esquimaux-Osawamick and Blake Ramalho as key contributors to the offense. “If I stay low, it’s harder for them (opponents) to push me over. If I’m standing straight up, I’ll get knocked over for sure.”
For as much as a core of returnees is essential as the U22 Rockhounds looked to duplicate previous success, the ability of that core to integrate those who are newer to this scene to the “Rockhounds’ way” will surely prove to be a tipping point to how much this team progresses in 2025.
“It’s all about teaching them how we play,” said D’Amour. “Picks and rools is our main thing on offense – and on defense, it’s a man to man game. Stay on your guy and call your picks.”
“That’s pretty much it.”
And for as much as it’s the technical elements of box lacrosse that are the teachings that Tremblay and others must absorb, there is simply something about the gents who are attracted to this sport, whether it be indoors or outdoors, that keeps these guys engage.
“I don’t know how to describe this team – but these guys seem pretty cool,” said Tremblay. “At Laurentian, we hung out a lot, so I’m curious to see where this team brings me. It’s a good team and I like the vibe.”
“I like the aggression that we have in lacrosse,” D’Amour chimed in. “Hockey now is too soft. I life that lacrosse is more physical.”
Rounding out the U22 Sudbury roster this year are goaltenders Mason Robertson and Liam Ramalho as well as Ryder McKee, Mitchell Vendette, Samuel Kotsopoulos, Mason Lachance, Kai Erkkila, Joe Gouchie, Jack Gouchie, Jacob Barney, Cody Wahl, Max Vendette, Isaiah Peltier, Noah Larcher and Malik Jakubo.
Joining coach Miron on staff are Trevor Harris, Dave Lachance, Matthew Barney and Mitch Hachez. Not scheduled to play their first tournament until they travel to The Beaches next month, the U22 Rockhounds will context a pair of exhibition games on May 25th.
That same weekend, the Sudbury U11 and U9 lads will be in Newmarket, taking part in the Conrad Rollings Memorial Tournament.
"While we lost half of last year's roster to the U13 age group or pursuing other opportunities, early impressions suggest we have a great mix of talent and enthusiasm," noted returning head coach Michael Wilson.
"Our focus this year will be on developing skills and fostering teamwork, making sure we celebrate the victories and learn from the defeats. As a coaching staff, we want to ensure that every player has a positive experience, on and off the floor."
The U11 Rockhounds will field a team that includes Adam Bain, Benjamin Hepting, Blake Dumont, Hudson Lauzon, Jack Wilson, Justin Gouin, Liam Timony, Luna Bertand-Thrush, Mackenzie Thomson, Noah Legault, Noah Valée, Nwaabdasse Trudeau, Owen Kunto, Rudy Bazzard, Taylin Johnson, assistant Dan Gouin, Jordan Hepting and Shaun Bazzard and team manager Carolyn Hepting.
The U9 crew consists of Avery Meade, Colby Kingston, Colton Williams, Dean Jackson Gunner, Grayson Antonio, Halden Leclair, Henri Bernier, Hunter Risk-Gillard, Jack Eamer, Jack Gainer, Logan Hudson, Marvel Peltier, Nolan Rancourt, Owen Wilson, Troy Michelutti, Troy Sakellaris, coaches Thomas Kingston, Kevin Gainer, Jesse Peltier, Brett Doherty, Alison Antonio and manager Miranda Gainer.
