Cooper Lavoie was on the bench in the middle of a Red Deer Chiefs Midget A box lacrosse game when he finally got the news he’d been hoping for.
His dad Lenny received word that Cooper was named to the Team Alberta U15 Field Lacrosse team, and passed along the message to his son.
“I’m just happy I made the team,” said Lavoie, 14. “I’ve tried out a couple times and got cut so I just kept trying out.”
His most recent attempt was last weekend in Calgary among a number of high calibre players.
“I think I did well at the tryouts … did the best I could,” said Lavoie, who attends Hunting Hills High School. “I just accepted that and if I didn’t make it oh well.”
He’ll now attend the U15 Men’s Field Championship in Oshawa, Ont. from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.
Lavoie said he is excited to see the level of talent at such a top-tier event.
While he spends the the majority of the year playing lacrosse, in the summer, he plays both box and field lacrosse, and in the winter he plays indoor travel field lacrosse.
As an attacker in field lacrosse with the Red Deer Orangemen, Lavoie said he enjoys the open space and trying to create plays. In box, however, it’s all about the physicality and the competitiveness.
“I like the contact,” he said.
“Field is more laid back … you have more space. I like box because it’s really competitive.”
He first started playing nine years ago and mostly got involved because of his brother’s influence.
The Red Deer teen said the season with the Red Deer Midget A Chiefs is going well, but it’s a short year with only 12 games.
“We’re pretty strong, some close games. We’re 2-1-1. Not many league games, only 12 and we have four tournaments, so it’s a short season,” he added.
Lavoie added his long-term goal is to maybe play lacrosse in college, but right now he’s just trying to have fun and enjoy the game.
In the end, he’s just happy he gets to experience the next level of the sport after making Team Alberta.
“A lot of good players … just did the best I could, guess it worked out,” he said.
I was just happy to see my name on the list.”
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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