The Adanac threads are fitting given they have been, at least in many ways, the gold standard in Junior A lacrosse over the last decade. Coquitlam comes in returning to the Minto Cup for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons. For some context, the next closest in national appearances are the Raiders Lacrosse Club (6) and Orangeville Northmen (5) over that same time span. An organization that is as buttoned up as it gets they show up in Edmonton to the surprise of absolutely nobody.
Coquitlam guided by Head Coach Peter Tellis and recent Minto Cup alumnus Ethan Ticehurst return to the dance via a relatively clean path having easily dispatched Port Coquitlam in a Round 1 sweep and then taking out Victoria 4-1 in the BCJALL Finals. After finishing first with an impressive 18-3 regular season mark the purple and gold will come to Alberta with a combined 25-4 record as they search for their fourth Minto Cup since 2010.
As dominant as they were at times this year this version of the Adanacs is unquestionably different than that of the Dan Perrault, Curt Malawsky or even at times the Pat Coyle days. This is a team that is built from the back gate out and is also smaller in stature than what you may be used to out of Coquitlam. However, they are lethal in transition having several dangerous andintelligent ball carriers through the middle of the floor. With the likes of Smart, Antongiovanni, Schenato, Fridge, and Banks teams will have to be sharp in reverse transition. Whenever the offense may be having trouble, Coquitlam can always supplement it with the ability to generate in transition and alter the flow of games. Something to watch for throughout the tournament is whether Coquitlam is able to speed up the pace of the game, a style that traditionally BC teams haven't preferred in the past but is a large part of the identity of this year's Adanac team.
Offensively led all season by elite trigger man Jaxon Dillon and savvy Jack Charboneau the Adanacs have been a well-balanced offense throughout 2023. While not the flashiest this is a squad that has well established roles within the offense and guys work well with and off one another. Unselfish and poised you won't see much packing of the ball or one on one play which should help keep them in any game they are involved in. It goes without saying the additions of Stuart Phillips (who I think is the best player in BC Jr A lacrosse), the hyper competitive, gritty and clutch Cody Malawsky, and big man Austin Ducommun have bolstered the offense to another level. Moves that Coquitlam was in prime position to make after standing pat at last year's hectic deadline that saw everyone in the playoff picture buying. That patience and decision to zig while everyone else zagged looks to have paid dividends for the Adanacs in 2023.
Even when you may be giving the Adanac offense problems they can make up for that with a strong defense that is compact and doesn't allow much towards the inside of the floor. Strong communication and ability to funnel underneath are trademarks of this team. While they don't possess the size and physicality of the past this team is very athletic out the back gate. They will switch fluidly and quickly while also doing a great job of getting sticks in passing lanes, disrupting passes through the seams, and getting on the shooters hands. With simply decent play from the Kask/Ungaro duo between the pipes the defense should insulate them more than enough to be a serious contender. If Coquitlam wins it all it will likely be because their defense, a unit that has been their identity all season long, is the best in the tournament.
The Coquitlam Adanacs will open up Sunday August 20th in the early slot against a familiar opponent in the Calgary Mountaineers at Bill Hunter Arena. For more tournament and ticket information visit MintoCup.ca
