Rockyview Silvertips scoring star Nolan Oakey will get the chance to represent his country when it was announced that he would play for Team Canada at the 2020 IIJL Commonwealth Cup in Australia on March 16 to 22.
The IIJL Commonwealth Cup is an international junior box (indoor) lacrosse event designed to develop box lacrosse in Commonwealth countries with the opportunity for developing nations to host international events at a manageable scale.
"The Commonwealth Cup roster came together organically with specific needs we have heading up to the next few International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) World Junior Lacrosse Championship," said Canada's general manager Chris Fox.
"Our focus for the Commonwealth Cup roster was on 2002's born players, building their leadership qualities, providing them with a valuable experience, and taking a deeper look at what we have at that age group. While the addition of October's 2020 IIJL World U17 Lacrosse Championship in Six Nations will provide international opportunities for the younger 2003 and 2004 age groups."
Oakey, who led the Silvertips as well as the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League's (RMLL) Central Division in scoring this past season with 32 goals and 60 assists for 92 points, said he couldn't believe he had actually made the team when he heard the news and talked a little bit about his journey to reach this point in his career.
"I was speechless. I couldn't get a word out of my mouth," Oakey said. "It had been such a far fetched dream for some long so when I made it I didn't know how to react."
"I've taken lacrosse very seriously for about five years now. Just putting my best (effort) into every drill and putting work in outside of practice was huge for my growth. Just playing the game more and more, you become more confident and it's a huge part of what has got me to where I am today."
While he was still in disbelief when he heard the news of making Team Canada's final roster, he thought he had a pretty good chance after making the initial 40-man player pool.
"After making the 40-man last year, I truly believed I could play at that level," Oakey said. "So it wasn't a surprise making the team but it still felt like it was a dream."
Oakey said he's just going to play his game and have as much fun as possible while he's representing his country, knowing that another chance to do so could pop up in the summertime at the 2020 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship if the Silvertips get eliminated early in the playoffs. He said that would also be an amazing experience should that come to fruition."It would be amazing," he said. "It's the equivalent to the World Junior Hockey Championships, something I watch every year so having the ability to do that for lacrosse would be an amazing opportunity."
Schedule, streaming, stats, and clinics surrounding the 2020 IIJL Commonwealth Cup will be released as details are finalized.
