On the final day of Thunderbirds training camp, Dalhousie student Ashton Brown was handed a big crate of new Thunderbirds goalie gear, and suddenly, he was a goalie in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
If a word could capture Brown’s last year, it would be “suddenly.” To get scouted for the NLL, typically players have to be in a big lacrosse center. In Canada, these prominent Junior A leagues exist in Ontario, Alberta or British Columbia. As a 17 and 18-year-old, Brown was cut from Ontario Junior B teams in Orangeville and Burlington. Since the cost to relocate Brown from Nova Scotia was substantial, he believes he had to be significantly better than the competition to get a roster spot.
Then suddenly, after years of failing to crack a roster, the two-time East Coast Junior Lacrosse League winner and two-time starting goalie for Team Nova Scotia in the Canada games was off to British Columbia. After taking over the starting goalie spot following his first game for Port Coquitlam in June, it was only a few months before he and the Saints ended their season in August as the third best team in the country.
The Thunderbirds have never had more than two people at the goalie position; in November, Brown became the first goalie to fill a third spot.
After Brown spoke to the coach and confirmed what the equipment manager told him was true he had made the practice roster — Brown was stunned.
“It’s unreal, it’s something I never thought would happen,” Brown said. “Especially this early in my lacrosse career.”
After his moment on cloud nine, he had to ground himself.
“I know the Thunderbirds wanted a local guy,” Brown said. “But most guys get drafted between 21 and 23, and I’m only 19, so I really have to prove I was worth bringing on.”
He says this isn’t easy with the National Lacrosse League being a lot different than the Junior League, especially for goalies.
His crate had thinner equipment and a smaller stick which he now uses to cover a bigger net against Thunderbirds who, for years, have been shooting on the world’s best. Players like Clarke Petterson, who Brown said will always learn your tendencies as a goalie before you learn his. Or Thomas Hoggarth, whose goal scoring ability from close is indescribable, according to Brown.
“I actually just don’t understand how Thomas Hoggarth puts the ball in … it’s actually just unbelievable — and mildly infuriating,” Brown said with a laugh.
The feeling of not always being able to stop some of these guys is part of the NLL experience, according to Brown.
“Lacrosse is a high scoring game, and very high scoring in the NLL, and you have to be okay with letting shots go in,” Brown said. “Especially shots you think you should have in Junior.”
Brown said the guys are good with him making sure he doesn’t get too frustrated.
“Tyson Bell, for example, in our exhibition games would tell me ‘Don’t sweat it, it’s lacrosse, just get back into it,’” Brown said.
Brown is also in his third year of a mechanical engineering degree, with three classes on Wednesdays and a full day of courses on Thursday. The Thunderbirds practice on Wednesday night — in Ontario. His professors have been very accommodating, catching him up on things he misses when he flies to Ontario on Wednesday for practice, and Thursday morning when he flys back.
It’s not easy, but he says experiencing the energy of the Scotiabank Centre reminds him of why it’s all worth it.
“I only get a glimpse of the full experience when I go out for the first warmup with the team, but it’s amazing,” Brown said. “Especially when you’re coming off the floor and there are kids who know your name and want you to sign stuff … it really pushes me to be on this team.”
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