55 | Friday, May 1, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER

Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor “Connected to your Community” [email protected] Sports Titanic changes for Sr. B lacrosse club Blue Devils kick by Jon Kuiperij Beaver Sports Editor off first League1

new coaching staff, a different home arena, an overhauled roster, season Sunday | www.insideHALTON.com A a dedicated game night and in- creased expectations. By Herb Garbutt The only constant about the Oakville Oakville Beaver staff Titans these days might be the senior B lacrosse team’s logo and jerseys. The Oakville Blue Devils will be looking to estab- “I’m most excited about the coaches,” lish a team identity as they begin their first season Oakville general manager Josh Briscoe in League1 , but already president Duncan said of the recent changes, referring to Wilde is thinking about making changes to the incoming head coach Ken Gillies and his team’s logo. assistants, Mike White and Tony Crepin- The two stars atop the club’s logo represent the sek. championships won by previous incarnations of the Gillies, who has coached or managed Blue Devils — a national un- the junior B team for much der-19 title in 1998 and a Cana- of the past decade, had been on Briscoe’s dian Professional Soccer League radar since the Titans moved to Oakville crown in 2005. Wilde would three years ago from Wellington. like nothing more than to add “He’s a guy that not only knows the another star as soon as possible. game, he knows the players because he’s And while that may not neces- been in the junior ranks. He and Tony sarily happen this season as the and Mike know all the guys that are com- Blue Devils join a league that al- ing through (the Oakville system)… and Mike White (left) and Ken Gillies, two very recognizable names in the Oakville lacrosse community, will coach ready has established powerhouse teams, Wilde sees they’re wonderful personalities to deal the Oakville Titans senior B team this season. Tony Crepinsek (not pictured) will also serve as an assistant no reason the team can’t be competitive. with,” Briscoe said. coach. | photo by Riziero Vertolli — Oakville Beaver — @Halton_Photog “We had the infrastructure in place from the PDL The Titans will open the 2015 season (Premier Development League, which the team against the Ennismore James Gang Sun- going to the one game night, a Sunday By the time training camp concludes played in last season under the Lynx ban- day at Athletic Centre. All night when people are able to get back this week, Briscoe estimates the Titans ner),” Wilde said. “We’ve made some roster changes, of the Titans’ home games this year will from the cottage, we can really promote will have looked at more than 50 players, but I’d like to think we’ll be really competitive. It’s in be 7 p.m. Sunday starts on the artificial it.” an increase over past years. They are also our DNA to want to compete for championships.” turf surface of the lacrosse-specific facil- The Titans’ roster had not yet been awaiting the return of players currently That process begins Sunday as the Blue Devils ity. Last year, Oakville played home games finalized as of Wednesday, but Briscoe away at university. kick off the League1 season by hosting the Sanjaxx on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on anticipates a 50 per cent shake-up from “We’ve done a lot of hard work, and Lions at 4 p.m. at . concrete floors at Glen Abbey Recreation last year’s squad that went 7-9 during the people are starting to see success,” said And while Wilde would like to win champion- Centre. regular season, then bowed out in the sec- Briscoe, noting the Titans’ semifinal ap- ships, he also wants to do it with local talent by Briscoe feels the change in venues will ond round of the playoffs. 2014 scoring pearance in last year’s playoffs. “I’ve been building a development system through the team’s be good for both the team’s players and leaders Jon Mason, Connor Latimer, Sean on the phone or email the entire offseason affiliation with the Oakville Soccer Club. fans. Gillies and Cam Monroe are likely to re- (recruiting players), and a lot of it is that This year’s squad will feature several players who “We’re not a team of teenagers. As these turn, though Brad Gillies is moving up to players talk to each other, say ‘I’m coming came up through the OSC, including midfielder guys get into their 20s and 30s, that turf is senior A and Luke Laszkiewicz hopes to out and I’ll bring this guy out with me.’ Anthony Doran and Tyler Wason, both members of wonderful to be on,” he said. “And I think do the same. see Two on p.57 see Devils on p.57

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