Much like the weather the playoff races across the country are heating up as teams jockey for positioning. Look no further than the West coast where a mere four points separates 2nd place from 7th in the eight team BCJALL. That parity is also reflected in these National Jr. A Power Rankings.
It’s always amazing to see what patterns and stories emerge as the season and summer moves along.
A major theme in 2025? Home dominance. Of the five teams that sit atop these power rankings only two have lost at home all season. Coquitlam lost their season opener against Victoria and Six Nations lost at home to a pretty damn good Toronto team. In fact, those five aforementioned teams have a combined record of 21-2 inside their own barn this season.
With many of these teams so evenly matched, especially in the East where the majority of the contenders reside, home floor could be the difference come playoff time. That should make these races over the final eight games or so of this regular season fascinating to watch.
Our second edition of the Jr A National Power Rankings hit now.
#1. Orangeville Northmen (12-1)
Their stay in this spot does feel a bit uncertain with how close some of these games are. The Northmen are often winning narrowly and having to come back to do so. But they have that winning pedigree and are defending OJLL champions. There’s something to be said for a team that finds ways to come through, even if it isn’t always pretty. The addition of Trey Deere back into the lineup has been an obvious plus. I’ll be interested to see how aggressive they are during this weekend’s deadline after pulling off a big deal with Brampton a year ago.
#2. Six Nations Arrows (9-3)
The Arrows stumbled on the road a bit this past week against two quality teams but that doesn’t change how I feel about them all that much. This is a team with a dynamic front gate that can make defences have to worry about all areas of the floor. At times they seem a bit too willing to trade goals with teams but I think some of that comes with the confidence they have to answer. I’ll have a better feel for the Arrows after next Wednesday’s heavyweight tilt with the Northmen inside the ILA.
#3. Coquitlam Adanacs (9-2)
They took a humbling loss on the road in Delta but have since answers back with two resounding wins over Nanaimo and Langley to remind everyone they are perennial BC champs and national contenders. When they are on they are limiting teams to six or less and taking over games with one big run to deliver a knockout punch. Calm, cool and poised, there’s no doubt they are heavy favorites to come out of BC. I also know the Adanacs have been knocking on a few doors looking to see what’s out there in the trade market to try and bolster their roster for another Minto run.
#4. Whitby Warriors (8-4)
The Warriors can score with absolutely anyone and have found comfort inside the newly turfed Iroquois Park having not lost there yet. The main concern right now is if they can start holding teams to single digits and not give up so much in transition. Whitby did go try to address their goaltending situation this week by acquiring Tyden Redlick from the Edmonton Miners, an athletic kid who could become the starter.
#5. Raiders Lacrosse Club (8-0)
Still one of the better defences in the country. Credit to them for remaining unbeaten against teams they over match which can be a challenge. Staying sharp until the playoffs may be a bit of a challenge but that’s an area where coaching and leadership can make a difference. Their goaltending tandem of Wood and McDonaugh is solid and should give them confidence on a national stage should they get there. Offensively they have a handful of guys that can rip the ball from the outside which gives them the ability to go on runs and pull away in games many other teams couldn’t. Wyatt Viste, Cash Frijters, and Carson Bowley lead that charge. I do think their games against a much improved Mountaineers team will start to get played at a higher level and become a better test.
#6. Toronto Beaches (8-5)
With one of the best O/D tandems in the country in Willem Firth & Caelan Mander, Beaches has shown they can consistently play with the best. A creative offense and an aggressive mindset should serve them well as we approach the stretch drive. They should be in for a hell of a race with St. Catharines & Peterborough for that four seed and home floor in the first round.
#7. Peterborough Lakers (6-6):
From the couple times I’ve been able to watch this team play I’ve come away quite impressed with their skill level. The Laker have several players who can shoot from multiple platforms and release points, a willingness to fast break and a clutch factor you can’t teach. Their biggest focus right now has to be how to be a bit more consistent away from the Memorial Centre as they sit 3-4 on the road. Out scored in those games 63-51. The good news for the Lakers? They play seven of their remaining ten games at home.
#8. St. Catharines Athletics (8-5)
The Athletics are in the middle of a huge season for the franchise as Minto Cup hosts. And they’ve shown they can not only play with but also beat the countries best. With home wins against both Orangeville and Six Nations they’ve established themselves as a dangerous outfit. This is new territory for the Athletics as they haven’t been to the Minto since 2003, coincidentally the first year that Alberta joined the Jr A dance. If their highs and lows can be evened out a little bit and some more consistency is found, they’ll continue to move up these rankings.
#9: Delta Islanders (6-5)
This is a young team with a new coaching staff that has a higher ceiling than people realized. As evidenced by their resounding 14-4 win against the Adanacs last week. It’s been quite awhile since the Islanders made the playoffs and it takes time to learn how to win and how to expect to win but that process looks to have been expedited this season. GM now turned coach Logan Schuss has this team headed in the right direction and in a WIDE open BCJALL playoff field why not the Islanders in 2025.
#10. Calgary Mountaineers (5-2-1)
Under head coach Cody Hawkins there is one thing this team is never short on and that’s belief. It would have been easy to be heavily discouraged by a couple of poor showings earlier this season against the Raiders but this team is now playing decidedly better ball. Their defence always takes chances and slides aggressively to take time and space away. And now their offence has started to come around now with much improved East/West ball movement and a focus on getting to the middle of the floor. How good is Dexter Hannigan?! For my money the best finisher in tight in Alberta with great hands and patience. It’s fitting his name is Dexter because much like the TV show, the guy is an assassin. The Mountaineers have earned their spot in the National Jr. A Power Rankings!
As always you can find me on instagram at m.jomha and on twitter at Mj_9. I always love talking lacrosse so feel free to reach out. Until next time, get out to these arenas and take in some of the world’s best lacrosse.
Thanks for reading another edition of the National Jr. A Power Rankings!