It’s been an intense journey through the lacrosse ranks for the Okotoks Raiders’ newest draft pick and Cochrane native Jesse Chong.
From playing with the Alberta outdoor provincial team to the local Rockyview Rage, Chong has worked hard and earned everything he’s being given said his new head coach.
“This is a very young team with the Raiders but to be able to play Junior A out of midget is an absolute big step,” said Raiders head coach and current Calgary Roughnecks National Lacrosse League star Andrew McBride.
“We feel Jesse will benefit from our experiences and coaching and we think he has all the athletic traits to play at the Junior A level.”
Chong is coming off an impressive late winter camp with the Raiders and McBride is already thinking about how he’ll use his young two-way forward on the 2013 Alberta championship team.
“Jesse brings an incredible amount of athletic talent to the Raiders. He has a very high lacrosse IQ and will play in both an offensive and defensive roll for the club,” said McBride.
“I’m super excited to make the step and play at this level,” said Chong, who graduates from Bow Valley High School this spring.
“Just trying to push myself to adjust to the speed of the game, and I’m super pumped to get the season started on Saturday in the season opener.
“I just want to contribute as much as I can and make myself better and help the team win.”
