Morning Star Staff
Three valuable members of the 2015 Armstrong Shamrocks’ championship lacrosse team are returning to the Irish.
The Shamrocks, the defending Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League playoff champions, have announced forwards Steve Clark, Kyle Versteeg, and Carston Schlaak as their first three signings for the 2016 season.
“It’s great to have three of our core players signed at this early stage of the year,” said Shamrocks general manager Chad Pieper. “All three of these players played key roles for us last year and will continue to be big contributors going forward.”
Clark was third in team scoring last season with 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points in 10 games. He was awarded the team’s Most Inspirational Player.
Clark, 28, is heading into his seventh season with the Shamrocks and has senior A experience with Nanaimo.
Versteeg, 25, was eighth in league scoring a year ago with 10-15-25 in 10 games, and was the team’s most improved player. He has played three seasons in the TOSLL.
Schlaak, 24, is returning for his third season with the Shamrocks.
As well as being one of the top left-handed forwards for the Shamrocks, Schlaak sometimes helps out on the defensive end and uses his speed and strength to help keep the opposition in check.
Schlaak finished 2015 with nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 10 games. He was named the Shamrocks’ most sportsmanlike player.
The Shamrocks started pre-season training March 1 and will continue to train right up to the start of the 2016 TOSLL Season on Friday, April 15, when Armstrong will host the Kamloops Rattlers at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The Kelowna Raiders, who lost the Shaw Cup final to the ‘Rocks in 2015, round out the three-team TOSLL.
Meanwhile, the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League is getting set for its 2016 season.
The league’s 11th annual Archie Jack IceBreaker pre-season tournament will again be held in Armstrong on Saturday, April 16, at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The defending league champion Vernon Sun Valley Source For Sports Tigers will take on the Armstrong Shamrocks at 10 a.m.
The Tigers will also play the South Okanagan Flames at 4:30 p.m.
The two North Okanagan Rivals will kick off the regular season on Friday, April 22, at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The Tigers will play their first four games on the road before their home opener, Saturday, May 14, at Kal Tire Place against the Shamrocks.