Generations assembled for lacrosse 

The town rink drew a huge crowd on Saturday for an all-day lacrosse celebration, where younger laxers had the opportunity to learn from Kahnawake Hunters players past and present.

In the morning, a little more than two dozen younger players participated in a practice session with Brine Rice, Owen Rice, Kaymen Diabo, and Teioshontathe McComber.

“We were teaching the fundamentals of the game along with just allowing them to have fun,” said McComber, who played for the Hunters from 2014 to 2019 before playing one season with the Georgia Swarm of the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

“There was a variety of players who came in from different age groups, and we just kind of wanted to get their sticks going.”

After the lunch break - provided by Old Haunt BBQ - was a scrimmage game between current Kahnawake Hunters players and prospects who may join the team in the next few years.

McComber, who helped as a coach for the game, said it was a great one to watch.

“It was very exciting for the current Hunters and the younger prospects coming up. It was a good opportunity for them to showcase their talents, and just shows that the future is great for the Junior B program,” said McComber.

He particularly enjoyed how hard the prospect team played against the older players.

“One thing I really liked was the compete level from the prospect team. They are a bunch of 15, 16-year-olds going against players who are 18-20 years old,” said McComber. “It was a good experience for them to be able to get a taste of what it’s like going against an older crew.”

Over 120 people were in attendance to watch the prospect game during the afternoon.

Players on the prospects team included Stone McGregor, Dash Diabo, Wyatt Cross, Noah Norton, and others.

The lacrosse practice and scrimmage were but one of many events being held by or in collaboration with Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) in November as part of their Spirit of Wellness month.

Adam Delisle was the one who organized the event on KSCS’s side along with Walter Whitebean, with collaboration from Kirby Joe Diabo on the lacrosse side of things.

The original plan for the event was a little different, though.

“Originally, I was trying to do a traditional medicine game,” said Delisle.

But things did not work out to go down that route during the planning stages, and instead the box lacrosse activity day was decided upon – to great success in Delisle’s eyes.

“It was a great day, and a great turnout for a Saturday which was also very cold,” said Delisle. “These kids had a blast.”

KSCS also gave Spirit of Wellness sweaters and water bottles to players and their family members.

There was also a raffle for four prizes among participants: a hat signed by Teioshontathe McComber, a $100 gift card for Stinger Sports in Pointe-Claire, and two wooden lacrosse sticks made of hickory.

“It brings them back to the roots of the sport, and it encourages them to continue with the sport,” said Delisle on the choice of having the wooden sticks as prizing.

Another big draw to the event, according to Delisle, was the presence of McComber.

“To have somebody like that, a home-grown talent at that professional level, being there encouraging them, is a whole other step in keeping these kids engaged in the sport,” said Delisle.

"He was like, ‘This is where I used to practice when I was your age. This is where I came from, this exact rink.’ He was showing those kids that if you are persistent, you aim for your goals, and this is what could happen.”

Along with running the morning practice and helping with coaching in the afternoon, McComber also signed balls and a few sticks.

Delisle said more sporting events are on the schedule for KSCS for Spirit of Wellness month, including flag football this Sunday at noon at the Sports Complex.

A full schedule of KSCS’s activities for the month of November can be found on its Facebook page.

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