Strong start for Junior B Hunters
In just his second game for the Kahnawake Junior B Hunters, Rowehrenhatie Jacobs scored his first goal and was named player of the game in a 13-4 win against the Newmarket Redbirds on May 1. Courtesy Kahnawake Hunters
The Kahnawake Junior B Hunters are going into their home opener this Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Orillia Kings at the Kahnawake Sports Complex with the wind in their sails, having won three of their first four games on the road to open the 2025 season.
The Hunters have scored 13 goals in each of their victories so far this season, winning 13-10 on April 27 against the Gloucester Griffins, 13-4 against the Newmarket Redbirds on May 3, and 13-7 against the West Durham Ironheads on May 4.
Their only loss came against the still undefeated Nepean Knights, 8-5, on May 1.
This opening portion of the season has been special for call-up player Rowehrenhatie Jacobs, who has a goal and an assist in three games.
Jacobs, who grew up watching his brother Kane Jacobs play in goal for the Hunters, said that getting to play for the same team he watched has been a dream come true.
“I used to watch him, when he played the hometown games. I always wanted to play for them too,” said Jacobs.
In his first game, the loss against Nepean, Jacobs registered his first assists, adding five shots on goal.
His first goal came the very next game against the Redbirds, scoring Kahnawake’s 13th and final goal of the game, a moment he will never forget.
“It was very emotional. I was just thinking about when I was like a little kid, just playing for the Hunters, watching them, and then I finally got in and scored and it felt good,” said Jacobs.
For his efforts, he was named the player of the game for Kahnawake.
“It didn’t feel real when I got called player of the game. Once it was called, I started to tear up a little bit, but I kept it in,” said Jacobs.
As he continues to get reps with the Hunters, Jacobs feels he’ll keep getting better and better, earning himself a regular spot with the team.
“As I play more and more, I should get more comfortable with the players and the team,” said Jacobs.
For now, he’ll keep focusing on playing for his U17 Kahnawake Minor Lacrosse Association team, waiting for the next time he’ll get the call to play Junior B lacrosse.
Junior C Hunters
This is the first season that Kahnawake has a Junior C team along with a Junior B team.
The Junior C Hunters have not yet gotten their first win, losing back-to-back road games 14-10 to the Clarington Shamrox and 15-6 to the Whitby Warriors in their opening weekend on May 3-4.
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Eric Jacobs, who coaches the C team along with Ryan Cross, said this inaugural season will be one where the emphasis will be on development.
“The season will be a learning curve,” said Jacobs. “Twelve to 14 of my runners are currently 17 years old or rookies in a league that’s 17-21.”
As such, how the young players adapt to the league as the season progresses will be worth looking out for.
The C Hunters will also have their home opener on Saturday, taking on the North Shore Kodiaks at 2 p.m. at the Sports Complex.
