# East Coast Junior Lacrosse League

The East Coast Junior Lacrosse League is a junior-level Canadian box lacrosse league headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The ECJLL has two divisions, a men's and a women's league. The men's league has five teams in Nova Scotia and one in New Brunswick, and the women's league has four teams in Nova Scotia and one in New Brunswick. The ECJLL operates from May to July, with playoff teams competing yearly for the Garnet Knight Cup (for males) or the East Coast Cup (for females).

## History

The league formed in 2004 with five inaugural teams for its first season, the Dartmouth Bandits, Halifax Northwest Rebels, Halifax Southwest Hurricanes, Moncton Mavericks, and Sackville Wolves.
A second-tier "B" league was added in 2012 with Eastern Shore Breakers, St. Margaret's Bay Storm and Truro Bearcats competing against "B" teams from Halifax Northwest, Moncton and Sackville. This league was operational for only two years with St. Margaret's ceasing operation after the 2012 season and Sackville failing to finish their 2013 season.
Only four teams competed in the league in 2014, with the Moncton Mavericks going on hiatus for the duration of the season. Halifax Northwest rebranded as the Northwest Marley Lions. The Mavericks returned in 2015 along with a new team, the Truro-based Mi'kmaq Warriors. In 2016, the Mavericks changed their name from Moncton to the New Brunswick Mavericks.
The 2018 season saw the Halifax Northwest Marley Lions withdraw from play and a dispersal draft spread their players throughout the remaining teams on a one-year release. The ECJLL operated as a five team league for the duration of the season.
Prior to the 2019 season, Halifax Northwest moved to St. Margaret's Bay and rebranded once again as the St. Margaret's Bay Rebels. Previously dispersed players were recalled and the St. Margaret's Bay Rebels began operation, restoring the league to six teams.
The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The league completed a shortened 2021 season with 5 teams, as the New Brunswick Mavericks were unable to compete due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Dartmouth Bandits won their 5th consecutive Garnet Knight Cup, their 7th title overall, making them the most successful franchise in ECJLL history.
League champions have in the past moved on to represent Team Nova Scotia at the Founders Cup, the Canadian National Junior B championship. The ECJLL has produced some notable players, including players who have gone on to play in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, CUFLA and Ontario Junior A and B leagues.

## ECJLL (F)

The league announced the creation of a female division, ECJLL (F) in January 2022, and in February announced the inaugural four franchises, the Eastern Shore Breakers, Halifax Hurricanes, Sackville Wolves, and Saint John Rapids)
Between May and June 2022 the 12-game inaugural season was played. The Halifax Hurricanes and Sackville Wolves tied in the standings with identical 10-2 records, but Halifax was awarded first place by virtue of the tie-breaking formula. The Sackville Wolves defeated Eastern Shore Breakers 2-0 in a best-of-three semi-finals and went on to face the Halifax Hurricanes in the finals. Halifax did not allow a goal against in their two shutout wins to take the first-ever ECJLL Female Division Championship and the East Coast Cup.
In the 2023 season, Halifax Hurricanes and Sackville Wolves once again tied in the standings with identical 9-3 records. Halifax was awarded first place in the tie-breaking formula. Finishing third with a 6-6 regular season record, Eastern Shore Breakers went on to defeat Sackville Wolves 2-0 in a best-of-three semi-final series. Halifax Hurricanes took game 1 of this best-of-three final series 7-1. Eastern Shore Breakers beat Halifax 11-5 in the second game. Eastern Shore Breakers took the win in the final 5-2, and were awarded the East Coast Cup.
In December 2023, the ECJLL announced the creation of a fifth franchise for the female division, the Dartmouth Bandits, to begin play in 2024.
The ECJLL(F) has produced some notable players, including players who have gone on to play NCAA Division I and II.

## Teams
### ECJLL (M) Teams

| Team | City | Arena | Formed |
| Dartmouth Bandits | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia | Shearwater Arena | 2005 |
| Halifax Hurricanes | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Spryfield Lions Arena | 2005 |
| St. Margaret's Bay Rebels | St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia | Spryfield Lions Arena | 2019 |
| Mi'kmaq Warriors | Truro, Nova Scotia | Colchester Arena | 2015 |
| Saint John Rapids | Saint John, New Brunswick | Lord Beaverbrook Rink | 2022 |
| Sackville Wolves | Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia | Sackville Arena | 2005 |

### Former teams

* Suburban Storm (2006–2008)
* Halifax Northwest Rebels (2004–2013)
* Halifax Northwest Marley Lions (2014–2017)
* Moncton Mavericks (2009–2013, 2015)
* New Brunswick Mavericks (2016–2019)

### ECJLL (F) teams

| Team | City | Arena | Formed |
| Eastern Shore Breakers | Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia | Eastern Shore Arena | 2022 |
| Halifax Hurricanes | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Spryfield Lions Arena | 2022 |
| Saint John Rapids | Saint John, New Brunswick | Lord Beaverbrook Rink | 2022 |
| Sackville Wolves | Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia | Sackville Arena | 2022 |
| Dartmouth Bandits | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia | Shearwater Arena | 2024 |

## Garnet Knight Cup Champions [ECJLL(M)]

| Season | Champions | Runner-up | Results |
| 2004 | Halifax Northwest Rebels | | (Best of 5) |
| 2005 | Suburban Storm | Halifax Northwest Rebels | (Best of 5) |
| 2006 | Halifax Northwest Rebels | Suburban Storm | (Best of 5) |
| 2007 | Halifax Northwest Rebels | Suburban Storm | (Best of 5) |
| 2008 | Halifax Southwest Hurricanes | Sackville Wolves | (Best of 5) |
| 2009 | Dartmouth Bandits | Sackville Wolves | 3-1 (best of 5) |
| 2010 | Halifax Southwest Hurricanes | Halifax Northwest Rebels | 3-2 (best of 5) |
| 2011 | Dartmouth Bandits | Halifax Southwest Hurricanes | 3-1 (best-of 5) |
| 2012 | Halifax Southwest Hurricanes | Halifax Northwest Rebels | 3-0 (best of 5) |
| 2013 | Halifax Southwest Hurricanes | Moncton Mavericks | 3-1 (best-of 5) |
| 2014 | Halifax Southwest Hurricanes | Halifax Northwest Marley Lions | 4-0 (best-of 7) |
| 2015 | Halifax Southwest Hurricanes | Halifax Northwest Marley Lions | 3-2 (best-of 5) |
| 2016 | Dartmouth Bandits | Halifax Northwest Marley Lions | 3-0 (best of 5) |
| 2017 | Dartmouth Bandits | Halifax Southwest Hurricanes | 3-0 (best of 5) |
| 2018 | Dartmouth Bandits | Halifax Hurricanes | 3-2 (best of 5) |
| 2019 | Dartmouth Bandits | Sackville Wolves | 3-0 (best of 5) |
| 2020 | no season due to Covid-19 | | |
| 2021 | Dartmouth Bandits | Sackville Wolves | 2-0 (best of 3) |
| 2022 | Halifax Hurricanes | Sackville Wolves | 3-1 (best of 5) |
| 2023 | Halifax Hurricanes | Saint John Rapids | 3-2 (best of 5) |
| 2024 | Sackville Wolves | Saint John Rapids | 3-0 (best of 5) |

## East Coast Cup Champions [ECJLL(F)]

| Season | Champions | Runner-up | Results | Ref. |
| 2022 | Halifax Hurricanes | Sackville Wolves | 2-0 (Best-of-3) | |
| 2023 | Eastern Shore Breakers | Halifax Hurricanes | 2-1 (Best-of-3) | |

## Notable players and alumni

The ECJLL has evolved into a highly competitive and skilled lacrosse league producing talented players and coaches who have gone on to continue their lacrosse careers at the NCAA, national and professional levels. Notable players/alumni include:
* Alex Bechard (St. Lawrence University)
* Zac Carrigan (Mars Hill University)
* Brett Draper (Colorado Mammoth)
* Jack Dulong (Team Canada & Grizzlies)
* Jamie Dunbar (New England College)
* Matt Dunbar (Guilford College)
* Adam Gallop (Emmanuel College)
* Michael Gallop (Emmanuel College)
* Brian Huyghue (Limestone College & Team Canada)
* Halley James (Mars Hill University)
* Hannah Kent (Niagara University)
* Chet Koneczny (Halifax Thunderbirds, Philadelphia, Orlando, Washington, Colorado)
* Liam McGrath (Lenoir-Rhyne University & Team Canada)
* Jordan McKenna (Toronto Rock)
* Ian McShane (Victoria Shamrocks)
* Jake Mosher-McGraw (Tampa University)
* Alex Pace (Philadelphia Wings)
* Luke Parker (Briarcliffe College)
* Breton Penney (Lynchburg College)
* Luke Smeltzer (Rochester Institute of Technology)
* Jeremy Vautour (St. Lawrence University)
* Zach Watson (St. Michaels University)

## League Awards
### All-Star Awards

1st Team All-Stars ECJLL :
| Year | League | Offense | Defense | Goalie |
| 2023 | (F) | Rachel Cormier Pearce Batchilder Hannah Kent | Maddi Hamilton Samantha Taylor | Greer Nagel |
| 2023 | (M) | Ben Allison Francis Greyson Nate Watson | Thomas Davies Cooper Puma | Gage MacPhee |
| 2022 | (F) | Elizabeth Smithers Brooke Rose Macy Giles | Samantha Taylor Jenna Giffin | Greer Nagel |
| 2022 | (M) | Glen Holmes Shamus Locke Isaac Abbott | Alex Bechard Ben Normandeau | Gage MacPhee |
| 2021 | (M) | Zac Carrigan Jordan McKenna Glen Holmes | Chris Duplisea Brett Draper | Nate Jollymore |
| 2019 | (M) | Zac Carrigan Jake Mosher Glen Holmes | Mark Seward Chris Malette | Ayden Pierro |
| 2018 | (M) | Breton Penney Jake Mosher-McGraw | Kirk Drabble Chris Malette Thomas Bakeeff | Alex Mitchell |
| 2017 | (M) | Breton Penney Mitch Broussard Jake Mosher-McGraw | Chris Duplisea Chris Mallette | Matt Kent |
| 2016 | (M) | Bobby Green Andrew Neilson John MacDonald | Alex Bungay Liam MacDonald | Ayden Pierro |
| 2015 | (M) | Max McBride John MacDonald Trey Carvery | Gee Clarke Nick Simpson | Jake Nordin |
2nd Team All-Stars ECJLL(F) :
| Year | League | Offense | Defense | Goalie |
| 2023 | (F) | Sofia Mullen Macey Hatfield | Sophie LeMarquand Anne Christie Emily Todd | Kate Heaslip |
| 2023 | (M) | Chris Bungay Ayden McCaustlin | Aiden Carr Isaac Abbott Jack Cowen | Zack Malcom |
| 2022 | (F) | Rachel Cormier Kelsie Johnson Cadence Haas | Maddi Hamilton Grace Landry | Alli Dyer |
| 2022 | (M) | Francis Greyson Ethan Muir Luke Wilson | Thomas Davies Grant Keefe | Noah Cox |
| 2021 | (M) | Mitch Broussard Luke Wilson | Theo Grant Chris Malette Mark Seward | Noah Cox |
| 2019 | (M) | Mitch Broussard Dakota Morrisey Connor Dennis | Kirk Drabble Ian Connors | Alex Mitchell |
| 2018 | (M) | Zac Carrigan Glen Holmes Jordan Mckenna | Chris Burgess Chris Duplisea | Brett McKinnon |
| 2017 | (M) | Max McBride Luke Smeltzer | Nic Thompson Chris Burgess Liam MacDonald Geoff Zed | Keegan Delaney |
| 2016 | (M) | Luke Smeltzer Connor Aquanno Brian Huyghue | Bret Himmelman | Matt Kent |
| 2015 | (M) | Paddy Quinn Jesse Magarvey Bryson Knockwood | Nathan Clarke Keith Langille | Dan Hubley |
Offensive All-Stars (2013 only) :
* Player
* Rod Diamond
* Alex Taylor
* Paddy Quinn
* Brian Huyghue
* Rick Canning
* Jon Boutin
Defensive All-Stars (2013 only) :
* Player
* Matt Beck
* Andrew Leonard
* Trey Carvery
* John Gagnier
* Shane MacMillan
* Matt McConnell

### Individual Awards

Indigenous Player of the Year :
| Year | League | Player |
| 2023 | (M) | Dakota Copp |
| 2022 | (F) | Kiley Brow |
| 2022 | (M) | Joseph Asselstine Dakota Morrisey |
| 2021 | (M) | Connor Dennis |
Offensive Player of the Year :
| Year | League | Player |
| 2023 | (F) | Pearce Batchilder |
| 2023 | (M) | Ben Allison |
| 2022 | (F) | Elizabeth Smithers |
| 2022 | (M) | Glen Holmes |
| 2021 | (M) | Zac Carrigan |
| 2019 | (M) | Zac Carrigan |
| 2018 | (M) | Breton Penney |
| 2017 | (M) | Breton Penney |
| 2016 | (M) | Andrew Neilson |
| 2015 | (M) | John MacDonald |
| 2013 | (M) | Paddy Quinn |
Top Scorer :
| Year | League | Player |
| 2023 | (F) | Pearce Batchilder |
| 2023 | (M) | Ben Allison |
| 2022 | (F) | Elizabeth Smithers |
| 2022 | (M) | Glen Holmes |
| 2021 | (M) | Zac Carrigan |
| 2019 | (M) | Zac Carrigan |
| 2018 | (M) | Breton Penney |
| 2017 | (M) | Breton Penney |
| 2016 | (M) | Andrew Neilson |
| 2015 | (M) | Rob Diamond |
Defensive Player of the Year :
| Year | League | Player |
| 2023 | (F) | Samatha Taylor |
| 2023 | (M) | Thomas Davies |
| 2022 | (F) | Jenna Giffin |
| 2022 | (M) | Alex Bechard |
| 2021 | (M) | Chris Duplisea |
| 2019 | (M) | Mark Seward |
| 2018 | (M) | Thomas Bakeeff |
| 2017 | (M) | Chris Duplisea |
| 2016 | (M) | Liam MacDonald |
| 2015 | (M) | Gee Clarke |
| 2013 | (M) | Trey Carvery |
Goalie of the Year :
| Year | League | Player |
| 2023 | (F) | Greer Nagel |
| 2023 | (M) | Gage MacPhee |
| 2022 | (F) | Greer Nagel |
| 2022 | (M) | Gage MacPhee |
| 2021 | (M) | Nate Jollymore |
| 2019 | (M) | Ayden Pierro |
| 2018 | (M) | Alex Mitchell |
| 2017 | (M) | Matt Kent |
| 2016 | (M) | Ayden Pierro |
| 2015 | (M) | Jake Nordin |
| 2013 | (M) | Jon Boutin |
Rookie of the Year :
| Year | League | Player |
| 2023 | (F) | Pearce Batchilder |
| 2023 | (M) | Ben Barreiro |
| 2022 | (F) | Macey Hatfield |
| 2022 | (M) | Ethan Muir |
| 2021 | (M) | Isaac Abbott |
| 2019 | (M) | Alfie West |
| 2018 | (M) | Jordan Whitford |
| 2017 | (M) | Liam McGrath |
| 2016 | (M) | Andrew Neilson |
| 2015 | (M) | Alex Pace |
| 2013 | (M) | Brian Huyghue |
Coaching Staff of the Year :
| Year | League | Team |
| 2023 | (F) | Halifax Hurricanes |
| 2023 | (M) | Halifax Hurricanes |
| 2022 | (F) | Saint John Rapids |
| 2022 | (M) | Sackville Wolves |
| 2021 | (M) | Halifax Hurricanes |
| 2019 | (M) | Sackville Wolves |
Coach of the Year :
| Year | League | Coach |
| 2018 | (M) | Andrew MacNeil |
| 2017 | (M) | Jamie Dunbar |
| 2016 | (M) | Luke Parker |
| 2015 | (M) | Gary Wallace |
| 2013 | (M) | Mitch Hannigan |
Team MVPs :
| Year | League | Team | Player |
| 2015 | (M) | Hurricanes | Jake Nordin |
| 2015 | (M) | Marley Lions | John McDonald |
| 2015 | (M) | Wolves | Connor Aquanno |
| 2015 | (M) | Warriors | Bryson Knockwood |
| 2015 | (M) | Mavericks | Jesse Magarvey |
| 2015 | (M) | Bandits | Trey Carvery |
| 2013 | (M) | Hurricanes | Adam Gaunce |
| 2013 | (M) | Marley Lions | Paddy Quinn |
| 2013 | (M) | Bandits | Jon Boutin |
| 2013 | (M) | Mavericks | Rob Diamond |
| 2013 | (M) | Wolves | Cody Marche |