National Jr. A Power Rankings: Defence First!

With the final trade deadlines in each province having crossed the finish line the stretch drive to the 2025 Minto Cup has officially begun. As rosters lock in, the teams contending all have a good sense of self and what their identity is.

One common trait? Most of the countries best pose a smart, athletic and efficient back gate. The Raiders (5.3), Adanacs (6.9), Northmen (7.2), Arrows (7.4), and Beaches (8.4) have all put up impressive figures when it comes to goals against per game.

Of course the one major contender missing from that puzzle went out and acquired some goaltending help for the boys in Whitby, which has paid immediate dividends. With the ability of so many of these teams to shut you down and give very little space within the prime scoring areas of the floor, comebacks have been few and far between.

As the playoffs approach on the horizon here’s a look at how everything stacks up with about a week remaining in the regular season.

Welcome to another edition of the National Jr. A Power Rankings!

#1. Orangeville Northmen (15-2)

We talked about defence off the jump and man has this team ever looked good out the back door. Aggressive but composed, the Northmen make you have to really think about how to access the middle of the floor and their sticks are so active in passing lanes. Constantopolous looks like an absolute monster between the pipes as well. They’ve had to rally late in close games a lot the last month or so but their winning pedigree has come through. They remain at number one.

#2. Coquitlam Adanacs (12-2)

They almost seem to be bored in a lot of these games with such muted competition. When they decide to turn it on though they win games with ease, often reeling off  4-5 goal runs out of nowhere. Ty Banks is still a menace and this team is always so well coached and prepared. If you want to see some great footwork, Ryan Colsey puts that on full display on a nightly basis. Now factor in some nice additions coming over from New West, headlined by the electrically quick Wren Glanville and they look set to defend their title. I’m curious to see if the teams on the island can get their respective games to a level that will push Coquitlam in what is very likely destined to be the BCJALL final.

#3. Six Nations Arrows (13-4)

After a brief blip on the radar I’m moving the Arrows back up a spot. Despite dropping their home meeting with the Northmen, I thought they heavily outplayed the Northmen for large stretches but could not solve Constantopolous. Their PP could have made a real difference in that one as well. I came away from that game impressed with both sides as opposed to being overly disappointed with the Arrows. They have since rebounded by beating some teams they should beat and will have a huge rematch in Orangeville on Friday night where they can make amends.

#4. Whitby Warriors (11-5)

Despite leading throughout inside the bunny barn last Sunday night, the Warriors saw the game corrode late as Liam Matthews and the Northmen stormed back to beat them 12-9. The return of Gabriel Sorrichetti further amplifies an already explosive offense. The team seems to be playing a more complete game of late and will need to finish the year with a couple more wins to secure home floor in the first round. A first round matchup with Peterborough or St. Catharines in the 4/5 should be highly entertaining.

#5. Raiders Lacrosse Club (12-1)

The defending RMLL champions have been ‘business as usual’ for the most part although they did drop their first of the year last weekend in Edmonton. It was a game they led 6-2 after the first and then the Miners capitalized on some looks in transition that really changed the feel of the game. It wasn’t Tommy Wood’s best game but the pairing with Kaiden McDonaugh has been one of the best in the country all season. Wyatt Viste continues to be an absolute sniper and the Raiders get strong contributions all over their roster. The Raiders would bounce back the next day with a 14-4 victory over the Miners and earned their right to stay in this spot.

#6. Toronto Beaches (13-5)

An organization that decided to be aggressive at the deadline, they seem to have supplemented their star power nicely. The addition of Josh Mills provides another dangerous shooter with size and a higher end IQ. Better suited to play different styles of games now than perhaps in previous seasons the Beaches should be ready to go come playoff time. I have a feeling they will be involved in some really wide open higher scoring affairs in Round 1.

The 2025 Minto Cup run will be the last for Willem Firth and other core members of this team.

#7. Peterborough Lakers (10-7)

The Lakers are hot, having won four in a row. Over that stretch they’ve conceded just twenty goals (5 per game) and have a couple of big time games coming back as they look to try and climb the standings a bit. Every time I watch this team, I come away impressed with their athleticism at both ends of the floor. When you factor in the travel, this is probably the team that most contenders would least like to play in the first round.

#8. St. Catharines Athletics (11-7)

Wildly inconsistent but capable of beating anyone as evidenced by their 2-0 record against Orangeville this year. Game to game, you just aren’t quite sure what you’re about to get. Lately they seem to be allowing teams they should beat to come back and make scores much closer later in games. They’ve certainly added to their contingent of options through trade over the past few weeks and I’m fascinated to see how they fare in what will be a highly competitive OJLL playoffs.

The 2025 Minto Cup hosts have lots of work left to do!

#9. Nanaimo Timbermen (7-5)

This seems to be the team in BC with a ceiling and potential that COULD push the Adanacs in the playoffs. Jeremy Wudrick has had a terrific season from the right side and Andrew Bowman + Matt Boas has been one of the better offensive duos for a few seasons now. Adding experienced goaltending with Ashton Brown, who back stopped Port Coquitlam a season ago to the Minto is huge. Paired alongside acquiring the outstanding physical abilities of Jared Maznik in a trade with Delta, Nanaimo now does have some real fire power. Their pending first round series with island rivals Victoria should be some great theatre.

#10. Victoria Shamrocks (10-4)

The Shamrocks always seem to be scraping the surface of their potential but they’ve been soundly beating teams that are playing out the string. Leaving little doubt is Jett Klassen, who has been on a torrid pace with 38 goals in 14 games! I don’t think we will know what this team is until their show down with Nanaimo in the first round. The BCJALL semi final should have plenty of distaste, drama, and intensity to offer viewers this July.

It’s almost the best time of the calendar year with the playoffs right around the corner and all the subsequent national championships that will follow. Get out to a box near you and take as much of it in as you can over these next six weeks. It’ll be gone far too soon. Until next week, take care of yourselves.

Stay tuned to LCD for coverage all the way to the 2025 Minto Cup!