COBOURG KODIAKS EXPECTING MORE WINS IN 2018

Opening game of the 2018 Major Series Lacrosse season has the Cobourg Kodiaks hosting the Brampton Excelsiors. Neither of these teams made the playoffs in 2017.  Obviously, one of them will begin the 2018 season with a win.

The Cobourg Kodiaks enter their third season in Major Series Lacrosse with a serious chip on their shoulder. After winning only a total of 3 games in their first two seasons, the Kodiaks look to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.  Kodiaks' General Manager John Webb noted,  "The players came to camp this spring with the right attitude. From day one, the atmosphere was different and everyone could feel it. "The players know that Eric Graham, (co-owner) and I, have higher expectations this season and they brought that compete level to training camp. Players understand that they will have to battle for a roster spot every night so it made camp very entertaining and competitive."

Jamie Dubrick is returning as Head Coach for the third season.  Also returning to the Coaching staff is Defensive Coach Mark Crough, back for his second season.  Head Coach Dubrick is excited to start the season. "This is a team that I'm really excited to coach. With the new additions and returning guys, we're going to be a young fast transition team who will look to push the pace in games.We made some significant moves in the offseason. Getting Robinson, Lomas, and Killen is going help us offensively. We also traded for Nick Finlay from Peterborough. He should work well in our system in transition". "We didn't give up any roster players. so it worked out very well for us."

 During this offseason, the Kodiaks hired Darryl Gibson as an Offensive Coach. Gibson brings over a decade of NLL playing experience and has coached at every level from minor to NLL which will help with the younger skilled offensive players. Webb commented on why he believed Gibson would succeed in Cobourg. "Gibby brings that credibility with him from playing so many years, but his best attribute is that he genuinely wants his players to improve every time they step in the floor."

 Key returning players include Joey Cupido, Chad Cummings, Chris Cloutier and Luke Laszkieicz.  There will be potentially ten new players dressing this season for Cobourg.  The new players include Dan Lomas, Jacob Ruest, Brandon Robinson, Kyle Killen, Nick Finlay, Steph Charbonneau. Liam Pattem, Rowan Kelly, along with goaltenders Kevin Orleman and David Diruscio.

The 2018 MSL draft was generous to Cobourg. With the first  overall pick, Cobourg selected Kevin Orleman from the Kitchener-Waterloo Junior "A" Braves. "Kevin is avery athletic goalie who plays with the right attitude.  He will get an opportunity this season to show he can play at this level and we believe that he can" stated Webb. Also selected in the Entry Draft were Rowan Kelly, Liam Patten and Stephen Charbonneau who are all expected to step in and show why they all spent time on NLL rosters this past season. Webb optimistically feels "the three young defenders/transition players we selected in the draft are all incredibly athletic and are like sponges on the floor. They are taking everything in and constantly getting better".

 Whatever happens, General Manager Webb knows the Cobourg Kodiaks are not the same team that limped through their first two MSL campaigns. With enthusiasm, he commented, "It's going to be an exciting season!!!"

Game time is 6:00 p.m.

Location of Arena: Cobourg Community Centre - 750 D'Arcy Street, Cobourg