WHY PLAY LACROSSE?
Canadian-Born NHL Players Recommend Playing Box Lacrosse In The Summer To Improve Hockey Skills.
Hockey And Lacrosse Are Very Similar Sports.
Hockey players excel in lacrosse and, in turn, they become markedly better hockey players. Both hockey and lacrosse are high tempo, physical team sports that have similar elements to the game. Both sports utilize 5 players and a goalie, three periods and strategy of developing odd-man situations to create scoring opportunities.
Comparatively, lacrosse is a much less expensive sport than hockey and uses much of the same protective upper body equipment.
Hockey Players Benefit From Lacrosse By Developing:
· stick handling creativity
· creativity in tight areas
· creativity of fakes, back passes and shots
· use of both hands
· reading the play offensively
· strong, dynamic defensive tactics
· builds up strength and endurance
· prevents sport burn-out by playing a new, fast-paced sport
· increases hand-eye coordination
· teaches players to be more aware of their surroundings
· reinforces the importance of quickness and agility around the net
· leadership skills
· scoring skills are honed by shooting at smaller targets and picking corners
NHL Hockey Players Who Played Lacrosse:
Brendan Shanahan David Bolland
Brendan Smith Reilly Smith
Max Domi Nick Paul
Connor Brown Wayne Gretzky
John Tavares Steven Stamkos
Ryan Getzlaf Sean Monahan
Darnell Nurse Ben Eager
Ryan Strome Brett Ritchie
Nick Ritchie Gordie Howe
Bobby Orr Jason York
Joe Nieuwendyk Joe Sakic
Doug Gilmour Paul Coffey
Gary Roberts Paul Kariya
Rick Dudley Gary Roberts
Paul Coffey Jack Bionda
JUST TO NAME A FEW!!!!
questions and answers
1. What level of rep play is available?
Our rep programs begin at the paperweight division and run through to intermediate. The number of rep teams is determined by number of players and coaches available.
2. My son/daughter is bigger/smaller than most kids at his/her age or my son/daughter is very skilled/less skilled – is there an ability to move him/her up or down a division?
No. Kids must play in their age appropriate division in rep.
3. What is the cost of rep lacrosse?
If you son or daughter is chosen to play Rep Box lacrosse for Toronto Stars, there will be an additional rep fee charged (in addition to the online registration fee) to cover costs of practice time, games, tournaments, Provincial championships etc. Additional fees range from approx. $300-$450. Should your child’s team also play field lacrosse there will be an additional field fee of approx.$200
4. Do I have to pay the “Rep fees” prior to tryouts and then get a refund if my son/daughter does not make the Rep team?
No. “Rep fees” are only paid once your son/daughter makes a Rep team.
5. What do I have to do to register for tryouts?
To participate in Tryouts each player MUST be registered through the Sportsoft registration link (see registration page). Players are not permitted on the floor until registration is complete.
6. When are Rep tryouts?
Box Tryouts are expected to start late February and will be posted on our website
7. What if I can not attend try outs?
All players are required to attend try outs in order to be considered for a position on a rep team. It is expected that players and families will make every effort to attend the posted try out dates. Any exception must be approved in advance by the president or rep director.
8. Are the tryouts full contact?
This is up to the coaches running the tryouts but generally the tryouts will be full contact.
9. What equipment is necessary?
· lacrosse stick
· helmet (full cage required)
· mouth guard
· shoulder pads
· elbow pads
· kidney protector
· gloves (hockey or lacrosse permitted)
· running shoes
10. When does the field lacrosse season start and end?
The starting date has not yet been announced, but it is anticipated to be as early as the 1st or 2nd weekend of April. The field season ends with Field Provincials, traditionally in Brampton, on the May long weekend (different divisions play on different days).
11. What is the expected commitment with respect to practices/games during the field lacrosse season?
Field time will vary from team to team – it is determined by the coaching staff. However, players can expect to be on the field, weather permitting (and some practices will be arranged indoors as well), 2-3 times during the week for practices (no games during the week) and then will generally play two games on either Saturday or Sunday. The location of the games will vary from week to week, but potential locations include Oshawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Cherry Beach and others. Typically, teams will play 10-12 field games prior to Provincials.
12. When does the box lacrosse season start and end?
Box practices will typically start early April with the season starting sometime in May (pending scheduling). The season runs until the Provincials festival which runs for 10 days starting on the Civic Holiday weekend in August.
13. What is the commitment with respect to practices/games during the box lacrosse season?
Similar to field lacrosse, players can expect to be on the floor 2-4 per week but this will be a combination of practices and games (home and away). Typically, teams will play 20-30 box lacrosse games per season (including tournaments).
14. How many tournaments can I expect during the lacrosse season?
During the box lacrosse season, teams will typically play in 2-4 tournaments. The location of the tournaments varies, but typically will include 1-2 “local tournaments” (no hotel stays required) and 1-2 “away tournaments” (hotel stay required due to distance required to travel). Most tournaments start on Friday afternoons.
15. In terms of box lacrosse games, what is the travel commitment?
Toronto Stars is in Zone 6 of the Ontario Lacrosse Association. That means that our zone games may include Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Clarington, Oshawa, Whitby, West Durham (Ajax-Pickering), Uxbridge, Stouffville, Toronto Beaches and Peterborough. Which centres any given Toronto Stars team will play depends on the “rankings” of each centre and will vary from division to division.