East Coast Junior Lacrosse League

East Coast Junior Lacrosse League
Most recent season or competition:
2024
SportBox lacrosse
First season2004
No. of teams11
Country Canada
Most recent
champion(s)		Sackville Wolves (M) Halifax Hurricanes (F)
(2024)
Most titlesHalifax Hurricanes (M) (8)
Official websiteECJLL website

The East Coast Junior Lacrosse League is a junior-level Canadian box lacrosse league headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada.

The ECJLL has two divisions, a men's and a women's league. The men's league has five teams in Nova Scotia and one in New Brunswick, and the women's league has four teams in Nova Scotia and one in New Brunswick. The ECJLL operates from May to July, with playoff teams competing yearly for the Garnet Knight Cup (for males) or the East Coast Cup (for females).

History

[edit]

The league formed in 2004 with five inaugural teams for its first season, the Dartmouth Bandits, Halifax Northwest Rebels, Halifax Southwest Hurricanes, Moncton Mavericks, and Sackville Wolves.

A second-tier "B" league was added in 2012 with Eastern Shore Breakers, St. Margaret's Bay Storm and Truro Bearcats competing against "B" teams from Halifax Northwest, Moncton and Sackville. This league was operational for only two years with St. Margaret's ceasing operation after the 2012 season and Sackville failing to finish their 2013 season.

Only four teams competed in the league in 2014, with the Moncton Mavericks going on hiatus for the duration of the season. Halifax Northwest rebranded as the Northwest Marley Lions. The Mavericks returned in 2015 along with a new team, the Truro-based Mi'kmaq Warriors. In 2016, the Mavericks changed their name from Moncton to the New Brunswick Mavericks.

The 2018 season saw the Halifax Northwest Marley Lions withdraw from play and a dispersal draft spread their players throughout the remaining teams on a one-year release. The ECJLL operated as a five team league for the duration of the season.

Prior to the 2019 season, Halifax Northwest moved to St. Margaret's Bay and rebranded once again as the St. Margaret's Bay Rebels. Previously dispersed players were recalled and the St. Margaret's Bay Rebels began operation, restoring the league to six teams.

The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The league completed a shortened 2021 season with 5 teams, as the New Brunswick Mavericks were unable to compete due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Dartmouth Bandits won their 5th consecutive Garnet Knight Cup, their 7th title overall, making them the most successful franchise in ECJLL history.[1]

League champions have in the past moved on to represent Team Nova Scotia at the Founders Cup, the Canadian National Junior B championship. The ECJLL has produced some notable players, including players who have gone on to play in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, CUFLA and Ontario Junior A and B leagues.

ECJLL (F)

[edit]

The league announced the creation of a female division, ECJLL (F) in January 2022, and in February announced the inaugural four franchises, the Eastern Shore Breakers, Halifax Hurricanes, Sackville Wolves, and Saint John Rapids)

Between May and June 2022 the 12-game inaugural season was played. The Halifax Hurricanes and Sackville Wolves tied in the standings with identical 10-2 records, but Halifax was awarded first place by virtue of the tie-breaking formula. The Sackville Wolves defeated Eastern Shore Breakers 2-0 in a best-of-three semi-finals and went on to face the Halifax Hurricanes in the finals. Halifax did not allow a goal against in their two shutout wins to take the first-ever ECJLL Female Division Championship and the East Coast Cup.[1]

In the 2023 season, Halifax Hurricanes and Sackville Wolves once again tied in the standings with identical 9-3 records.[2] Halifax was awarded first place in the tie-breaking formula. Finishing third with a 6-6 regular season record, Eastern Shore Breakers went on to defeat Sackville Wolves 2-0 in a best-of-three semi-final series. Halifax Hurricanes took game 1 of this best-of-three final series 7-1. Eastern Shore Breakers beat Halifax 11-5 in the second game. Eastern Shore Breakers took the win in the final 5-2, and were awarded the East Coast Cup. [3]

In December 2023, the ECJLL announced the creation of a fifth franchise for the female division, the Dartmouth Bandits, to begin play in 2024.[4]

The ECJLL(F) has produced some notable players, including players who have gone on to play NCAA Division I and II.

Teams

[edit]

ECJLL (M) Teams

[edit]
Team City Arena Formed
Dartmouth Bandits Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Shearwater Arena 2005
Halifax Hurricanes Halifax, Nova Scotia Spryfield Lions Arena 2005
St. Margaret's Bay Rebels St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia Spryfield Lions Arena 2019
Mi'kmaq Warriors Truro, Nova Scotia Colchester Arena 2015
Saint John Rapids Saint John, New Brunswick Lord Beaverbrook Rink 2022
Sackville Wolves Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia Sackville Arena 2005

Former teams

[edit]
  • Suburban Storm (2006-2008)
  • Halifax Northwest Rebels (2004-2013)
  • Halifax Northwest Marley Lions (2014-2017)
  • Moncton Mavericks (2009-2013, 2015)
  • New Brunswick Mavericks (2016-2019)

ECJLL (F) Teams

[edit]
Team City Arena Formed
Eastern Shore Breakers Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia Eastern Shore Arena 2022
Halifax Hurricanes Halifax, Nova Scotia Spryfield Lions Arena 2022
Saint John Rapids Saint John, New Brunswick Lord Beaverbrook Rink 2022
Sackville Wolves Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia Sackville Arena 2022
Dartmouth Bandits Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Shearwater Arena 2024

Garnet Knight Cup Champions [ECJLL(M)]

[edit]
Season Champions Runner-up Results
2004 Halifax Northwest Rebels (Best of 5)
2005 Suburban Storm Halifax Northwest Rebels (Best of 5)
2006 Halifax Northwest Rebels Suburban Storm (Best of 5)
2007 Halifax Northwest Rebels Suburban Storm (Best of 5)
2008 Halifax Southwest Hurricanes Sackville Wolves (Best of 5)
2009 Dartmouth Bandits Sackville Wolves 3-1 (best of 5)
2010 Halifax Southwest Hurricanes Halifax Northwest Rebels 3-2 (best of 5)
2011 Dartmouth Bandits[5] Halifax Southwest Hurricanes 3-1 (best-of 5)
2012 Halifax Southwest Hurricanes Halifax Northwest Rebels 3-0 (best of 5)
2013 Halifax Southwest Hurricanes Moncton Mavericks 3-1 (best-of 5)
2014 Halifax Southwest Hurricanes[6] Halifax Northwest Marley Lions 4-0 (best-of 7)
2015 Halifax Southwest Hurricanes Halifax Northwest Marley Lions 3-2 (best-of 5)
2016 Dartmouth Bandits Halifax Northwest Marley Lions 3-0 (best of 5)
2017 Dartmouth Bandits Halifax Southwest Hurricanes 3-0 (best of 5)
2018 Dartmouth Bandits Halifax Hurricanes 3-2 (best of 5)
2019 Dartmouth Bandits Sackville Wolves 3-0 (best of 5)
2020 no season due to Covid-19
2021 Dartmouth Bandits Sackville Wolves 2-0 (best of 3)
2022 Halifax Hurricanes Sackville Wolves 3-1 (best of 5)
2023 Halifax Hurricanes Saint John Rapids 3-2 (best of 5)
2024 Sackville Wolves Saint John Rapids 3-0 (best of 5)

East Coast Cup Champions [ECJLL(F)]

[edit]
Season Champions Runner-up Results Ref.
2022 Halifax Hurricanes Sackville Wolves 2-0 (Best-of-3) [1]
2023 Eastern Shore Breakers Halifax Hurricanes 2-1 (Best-of-3) [7]

Notable Players / Alumni

[edit]

The ECJLL has evolved into a highly competitive and skilled lacrosse league producing talented players and coaches who have gone on to continue their lacrosse careers at the NCAA, national and professional levels.[8] Notable players/alumni include:

  • Alex Bechard (St. Lawrence University)
  • Zac Carrigan (Mars Hill University)
  • Brett Draper (Colorado Mammoth)
  • Jack Dulong (Team Canada & Grizzlies)
  • Jamie Dunbar (New England College)
  • Matt Dunbar (Guilford College)
  • Adam Gallop (Emmanuel College)
  • Michael Gallop (Emmanuel College)
  • Brian Huyghue (Limestone College & Team Canada)
  • Halley James (Mars Hill University)
  • Hannah Kent (Niagara University)
  • Chet Koneczny (Halifax Thunderbirds, Philadelphia, Orlando, Washington, Colorado)
  • Liam McGrath (Lenoir-Rhyne University & Team Canada)
  • Jordan McKenna (Toronto Rock)
  • Ian McShane (Victoria Shamrocks)
  • Jake Mosher-McGraw (Tampa University)
  • Alex Pace (Philadelphia Wings)
  • Luke Parker (Briarcliffe College)
  • Breton Penney (Lynchburg College)
  • Luke Smeltzer (Rochester Institute of Technology)
  • Jeremy Vautour (St. Lawrence University)
  • Zach Watson (St. Michaels University)

League Awards

[edit]

All-Star Awards

[edit]
1st Team All-Stars ECJLL
Year League Offense Defense Goalie Ref.
2023 (F) Rachel Cormier

Pearce Batchilder

Hannah Kent

Maddi Hamilton

Samantha Taylor

Greer Nagel [9]
(M) Ben Allison

Francis Greyson

Nate Watson

Thomas Davies

Cooper Puma

Gage MacPhee [10]
2022 (F) Elizabeth Smithers

Brooke Rose

Macy Giles

Samantha Taylor

Jenna Giffin

Greer Nagel [11]
(M) Glen Holmes

Shamus Locke

Isaac Abbott

Alex Bechard

Ben Normandeau

Gage MacPhee [12]
2021 (M) Zac Carrigan

Jordan McKenna

Glen Holmes

Chris Duplisea

Brett Draper

Nate Jollymore [13]
2019 (M) Zac Carrigan

Jake Mosher

Glen Holmes

Mark Seward

Chris Malette

Ayden Pierro [14]
2018 (M) Breton Penney

Jake Mosher-McGraw

Kirk Drabble

Chris Malette

Thomas Bakeeff

Alex Mitchell [15]
2017 (M) Breton Penney

Mitch Broussard

Jake Mosher-McGraw

Chris Duplisea

Chris Mallette

Matt Kent [16]
2016 (M) Bobby Green

Andrew Neilson

John MacDonald

Alex Bungay

Liam MacDonald

Ayden Pierro [17]
2015 (M) Max McBride

John MacDonald

Trey Carvery

Gee Clarke

Nick Simpson

Jake Nordin [18]
2nd Team All-Stars ECJLL(F)
Year League Offense Defense Goalie Ref.
2023 (F) Sofia Mullen

Macey Hatfield

Sophie LeMarquand

Anne Christie

Emily Todd

Kate Heaslip [19]
(M) Chris Bungay

Ayden McCaustlin

Aiden Carr

Isaac Abbott

Jack Cowen

Zack Malcom [20]
2022 (F) Rachel Cormier

Kelsie Johnson

Cadence Haas

Maddi Hamilton

Grace Landry

Alli Dyer [21]
(M) Francis Greyson

Ethan Muir

Luke Wilson

Thomas Davies

Grant Keefe

Noah Cox [12]
2021 (M) Mitch Broussard

Luke Wilson

Theo Grant

Chris Malette

Mark Seward

Noah Cox [13]
2019 (M) Mitch Broussard

Dakota Morrisey

Connor Dennis

Kirk Drabble

Ian Connors

Alex Mitchell [14]
2018 (M) Zac Carrigan

Glen Holmes

Jordan Mckenna

Chris Burgess

Chris Duplisea

Brett McKinnon [15]
2017 (M) Max McBride

Luke Smeltzer

Nic Thompson

Chris Burgess

Liam MacDonald

Geoff Zed

Keegan Delaney [16]
2016 (M) Luke Smeltzer

Connor Aquanno

Brian Huyghue

Bret Himmelman Matt Kent [17]
2015 (M) Paddy Quinn

Jesse Magarvey

Bryson Knockwood

Nathan Clarke

Keith Langille

Dan Hubley [18]
Offensive All-Stars (2013 only)
Player Ref.
Rod Diamond [22]
Alex Taylor
Paddy Quinn
Brian Huyghue
Rick Canning
Jon Boutin
Defensive All-Stars (2013 only)
Player Ref.
Matt Beck [22]
Andrew Leonard
Trey Carvery
John Gagnier
Shane MacMillan
Matt McConnell

Individual Awards

[edit]
Indigenous Player of the Year
Year League Player Ref.
2023 (M) Dakota Copp [23]
2022 (F) Kiley Brow [24]
(M) Joseph Asselstine

Dakota Morrisey

[12]
2021 (M) Connor Dennis [13]
Offensive Player of the Year
Year League Player Ref.
2023 (F) Pearce Batchilder [25]
(M) Ben Allison [26]
2022 (F) Elizabeth Smithers [27]
(M) Glen Holmes [12]
2021 (M) Zac Carrigan [13]
2019 (M) Zac Carrigan [14]
2018 (M) Breton Penney [15]
2017 (M) Breton Penney [16]
2016 (M) Andrew Neilson [17]
2015 (M) John MacDonald [18]
2013 (M) Paddy Quinn [22]
Top Scorer
Year League Player Ref.
2023 (F) Pearce Batchilder [25]
(M) Ben Allison [26]
2022 (F) Elizabeth Smithers [28]
(M) Glen Holmes [12]
2021 (M) Zac Carrigan [13]
2019 (M) Zac Carrigan [14]
2018 (M) Breton Penney [15]
2017 (M) Breton Penney [16]
2016 (M) Andrew Neilson [17]
2015 (M) Rob Diamond [22]
Defensive Player of the Year
Year League Player Ref.
2023 (F) Samatha Taylor [29]
(M) Thomas Davies [30]
2022 (F) Jenna Giffin [31]
(M) Alex Bechard [12]
2021 (M) Chris Duplisea [13]
2019 (M) Mark Seward [14]
2018 (M) Thomas Bakeeff [15]
2017 (M) Chris Duplisea [16]
2016 (M) Liam MacDonald [17]
2015 (M) Gee Clarke [18]
2013 (M) Trey Carvery [22]
Goalie of the Year
Year League Player Ref.
2023 (F) Greer Nagel [32]
(M) Gage MacPhee [33]
2022 (F) Greer Nagel [34]
(M) Gage MacPhee [12]
2021 (M) Nate Jollymore [13]
2019 (M) Ayden Pierro [14]
2018 (M) Alex Mitchell [15]
2017 (M) Matt Kent [16]
2016 (M) Ayden Pierro [17]
2015 (M) Jake Nordin [18]
2013 (M) Jon Boutin [22]
Rookie of the Year
Year League Player Ref.
2023 (F) Pearce Batchilder [35]
(M) Ben Barreiro [25]
2022 (F) Macey Hatfield [36]
(M) Ethan Muir [12]
2021 (M) Isaac Abbott [13]
2019 (M) Alfie West [14]
2018 (M) Jordan Whitford [15]
2017 (M) Liam McGrath [16]
2016 (M) Andrew Neilson [17]
2015 (M) Alex Pace [18]
2013 (M) Brian Huyghue [22]
Coaching Staff of the Year
Year League Team Ref.
2023 (F) Halifax Hurricanes [37]
(M) Halifax Hurricanes [38]
2022 (F) Saint John Rapids [39]
(M) Sackville Wolves [12]
2021 (M) Halifax Hurricanes [13]
2019 (M) Sackville Wolves [14]
Coach of the Year
Year League Coach Ref.
2018 (M) Andrew MacNeil [15]
2017 (M) Jamie Dunbar [16]
2016 (M) Luke Parker [17]
2015 (M) Gary Wallace [18]
2013 (M) Mitch Hannigan [22]
Team MVPs
Year Ref. League Team Player
2015 [18] (M) Hurricanes Jake Nordin
Marley Lions John McDonald
Wolves Connor Aquanno
Warriors Bryson Knockwood
Mavericks Jesse Magarvey
Bandits Trey Carvery
2013 [22] (M) Hurricanes Adam Gaunce
Marley Lions Paddy Quinn
Bandits Jon Boutin
Mavericks Rob Diamond
Wolves Cody Marche

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "East Coast Junior Lacrosse League : Powered by GOALLINE". ecjll.goalline.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  2. ^ "East Coast Junior Lacrosse League : Powered by GOALLINE". ecjll.goalline.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  3. ^ "East Coast Junior Lacrosse League : Powered by GOALLINE". ecjll.goalline.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  4. ^ "East Coast Junior Lacrosse League on X". twitter.com. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  5. ^ "2011 ECJLL Junior A Champs!!!". Dartmouth Bandits. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  6. ^ "Halifax Southwest Hurricanes are the Champions!". ECJLL. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  7. ^ Live | East Coast Cup | ECJLL(F) | Halifax Hurricanes Vs. Eastern Shore Breakers | Final - Game 3, retrieved 2023-11-21
  8. ^ "East Coast Junior Lacrosse League : Powered by GOALLINE". ecjll.goalline.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  9. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  10. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  11. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
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  18. ^ a b c d e f g h "East Coast Junior Lacrosse League : Powered by GOALLINE". ecjll.goalline.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  19. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  20. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  21. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
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  23. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  24. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  25. ^ a b c "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  26. ^ a b "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  27. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  28. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  29. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
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  32. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  33. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  34. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
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