Diabo, Junior Adanacs inducted into Hall

The 2024 Coquitlam Junior Adanacs have been inducted into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame as Junior team of the year, thanks to their 2024 Minto Cup win.

That year’s team included Kahnawake’s Kaymen Diabo, who played in 11 regular season games for the Junior Adanacs as a runner, had 15 goals and 11 assists. While he was on the roster, he did not appear in any Minto Cup games.

Unfortunately for him, he was not able to be in British Columbia last week for the induction, due in part to the Kahnawake Junior B Hunters’ schedule - Diabo is the Hunters’ leader in goals (46) and points (100) this year.

“It’s a great honour, and we’re proud to be part of that,” said Kirby Joe Diabo, Kaymen’s father.

“He’s earned it, and that team earned it.”

Kirby Joe said that having the 2024 Junior Adanacs team be inducted is a testament to Coquitlam’s strong love for lacrosse, similar to here in Kahnawake.

“It’s a way of life, just like it is out here. Their arenas are getting packed just like ours. Everything shuts down on game day,” said Kirby Joe.

“The culture, the atmosphere, the coaching staff, everything is top notch.”

While Kaymen is currently busy with the Junior B Hunters, Kirby Joe hopes they’ll get a chance to go back to Coquitlam for lacrosse.

“When he was out there, they treated him really well. They took care of him,” said Kirby Joe.

“It’s all about the whole atmosphere of the team being together almost every day. Even the guys doing stuff on their own without the coaches, it was every day, it’s a way of life. Once you’re an Adanac, you’re always an Adanac.”

Along with the team honour, the Junior Adanacs’ head coach Pat Coyle was named coach of the year.

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