Is This The Year of The Buc?

In 2009, the University of New Brunswick took a significant step forward with their lacrosse program, knocking off the Dalhousie Tigers for the first time in school history. To the outside, the Generals, as they were then known, were a team on the rise, and getting ready to contend.

Many were then shocked when, just prior to the 2010 season, after much consideration, the team decided they could not afford to continue under the current structure of the Maritime University Field Lacrosse League and terminated the program. After a four year hiatus, UNB returned to the MUFLL, rebranded as the UNB Buccaneers, and after a winless inaugural season, they made their mark in 2015 winning 5 regular season games and knocking off the Saint Mary's Huskies in the quaterfinals.
 
UNB is building for the long haul. They’ve invested significant time in the grass roots of Fredericton, with their Junior Buccaneers box and field program, and the management staff has also taken coaching positions with the New Brunswick Mavericks, who play in the East Coast Junior Lacrosse League. Equally apparent is their attention to marketing, as they have the best social media game in the league. Will that translate over to the field in 2016?
 
Senior Players:
Heath Reed – Attack
Zach Dunseith – Midfield/FOGO
Mackenzie McCoy – Attack
Matt McConnell – Goalie
Chase Wallace – Midfield
Caleb Parker – Long Stick Midfielder
Ben Sweet – Defense
 
The process of bringing lacrosse back to UNB truly kicked off in 2013 when they played Mount Allison in an exhibition series. It is not surprising then, to see a large graduating class of players four seasons later. The group is led by former Acadia Laxmen long pole, and five time all-star Ben Sweet, and 2015 goaltender of the year Matt McConnell. Both are key clogs on a defence that was much improved in 2015, and looks to be one of MUFLL’s most formidable in 2016.
 
Not to be outdone, Heath Reed will be counted on to carry a significant portion of the offensive load. After a quiet 2014 season that saw him tally 6 points, Reed exploded for 26 goals in 2015. Combined with fellow senior Zach Dunseith, the veteran duo accounted for 37.8% of the Bucs offence. Dunseith will also be counted on to control the possession as the team’s top drawman.
 
Rounding out the group are MacKenzie McCoy, Chase Wallace (son of former Mounties Head Coach Gary Wallace) and Caleb Parker. Look for McCoy to make a splash in 2016 as a secondary scorer for the Bucs, and for Wallace and Parker to become mainstays on the defensive end of the field.
 
Key Returnees:
Nic Thompson
Alex Miller
Alex Buck
 
Nic Thompson is coming off quite the year of lacrosse. After being named defensive player of the year in 2015, he was named captain of the New Brunswick Mavericks and led them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. He will make a formidable duo with Sweet and Buck on the defensive end.
 
Miller has been the Bucs most consistent offensive threat the last two years. After a successful 2014 season that saw him lead the team in goals (by 15!), he came back even stronger with 32 in 2015. Combined with the previously mentioned Reed and Dunseith, the three headed monster made up 67.3% of the offence.
 
Key Departures and Injuries:
Tyrell Giffin
Evan Richtsfield
 
Although he has since graduated, Richtsfield's impact can still be felt as he manages the team. As director of UNB lacrosse, he has taken the team’s recruitment and marketing to a level unparalleled across the league. Giffin, the veteran long pole who played for both UNB and Mount A, will be missed for his athleticism and ability to get under the opposing team’s skin.
 
Up and Coming Players:
John Newman
 
The Pfeiffer University transfer was UNB’s nominee for Middie of the Year in 2015, and will look to significantly add to his 7 goals for the upcoming season. If this team is going to take the next step, they are going to need secondary scoring and Newman has the ability to do just that.
 
Incoming Players:
Sam Kane
Chris Burgess
Alex Machum
Josh Smith
Skyler Hardwick
Nathan Davidson
Jake Kitchen

With 7 incoming freshman, UNB’s approach to development is starting to pay dividends. The group is highlighted by Chris Burgess, a Mi’kmaq Warrior, who was drafted in the ECJLL’s first round back in 2014, who comes from the NCAA Division II’s Dominican College.

According to his Box coach, Brendon Smithson, the midfielder is, “A coach’s dream. His personal goals have never come before the team, ​and his dedication to improving himself is unmatched. He will be a great addition to UNB this season and will help push them and his teammates to the next level.”
 
Coaching Staff:
The UNB Coaching staff will once again be led by Shane McKinney. The reigning coach of the year saw his defence improve their goals against average from 16.22 in 2014, down to 10.7 in 2015. He will lean heavily on his veteran defence once again as they try to reach the championship game for the first time in school history.
 
The team is returning the bulk of their stars, and has all the pieces to be a defensive juggernaut. In order to take the next step, they are going to need some players to help the Reed-Miller combination out on offence. The team is led by a group of lacrosse fanatics who’ve never shied away from high expectations.
 
“Impact players such as Alex Miller on attack, Caleb Parker at LSM, and both Nic Thompson and Ben Sweet on defence all have the capabilities to be top players in this league and help lead us to be a championship calibre team. Last year, Alex Buck stepped up big time for us on defence when injuries to our defensemen necessitated his move to D from attack, and we will be looking to him to solidify our defence.” – Matt McConnell
 
After getting a taste of playoff success in 2015, clearly, anything short of a run to the championship game will be considered a disappointment.
 
Interested in playing for the University of New Brunswick Buccaneers? Contact the director of UNB Lacrosse Evan Richtsfield at erichtsf@unb.ca for more information on the team and New Brunswick’s largest University.
 
Look for our next preview of the Saint Mary’s Huskies tomorrow!