An early Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League playoff exit was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful 2015 campaign for the Westlock Junior Rock.
After posting a 13-5 regular-season record, the Rock were sent packing by the Lloydminster Xtreme following a 2-1 series loss in the opening round of the playoffs.
“We weren’t super pumped about how it turned out last year. We felt we had a really good squad and it’s tough to go out in the first round, even though we didn’t get the bounces and stuff like that,” said coach Mike Ivey.
“I think this year we have a good shot to go very far and I guess we’ll learn that early in the year.”
Ivey will return behind the bench for his fourth season with the Rock, along with the majority of the Jr. B Tier II division winning team from last year.
“We have quite a few returning. We only had one graduating player last year and two that have been unable to commit this year,” Ivey said.
“I’d say that’s a good 18 players coming back – almost a full squad, which is awesome.”
Ivey said a couple new rookies and former players would round out the roster.
With the new season comes a renewed sense of optimism for the squad. Although they feel gypped over last year, Ivey said he knows nothing is owed to them and they’ll have to prove themselves on the arena floor.
“I have a very good feeling about it based on paper, but we’ve got to come together and see what we can do,” he said.
“I know what we’re capable of for sure. With that good of a core coming back, there’s no question we can’t keep moving up.
“I’d say we have a good shot.”
The team has already started practicing twice a week in preparation for the first game of the season, and home opener, on Friday, April 29 at the Rotary Spirit Centre when they host the Edmonton Warriors at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re going to try and get a decent amount of people out for that and see what we can do.”
