Skip to content

Heat player makes cut for nationals

Already nervous because he had to wait for Team B.C. lacrosse coaches to inform visiting players of their fate, Jean-Luc Chetner was pranked before learning he earned a spot to play in nationals in August.
60711pentictonChetner
Jean-Luc Chetner playing for Team Interior eludes a check from a Team Island defender during a scrimmage for the 2011 Team BC midget boys tryout camp at Memorial Arena Sunday.


Already nervous because he had to wait for Team B.C. lacrosse coaches to inform visiting players of their fate, Jean-Luc Chetner was pranked before learning he earned a spot to play in nationals in August.

“The coaches made it seem like I didn’t make the team,” said Chetner. “I was the last guy to go through.”

Nervous feelings have been wiped away with excitement as he will compete at that level for the first time.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Chetner. “It’s fast paced and I feel pretty confident. I hope I get the chance to be on the floor and help.”

Tyson Leies likes Chetner because he showed he is willing to lay it on the line every shift during the three days despite his five-foot-nine frame.

“He played like he was six-feet and 200 pounds,” said Leies. “He has a smooth running stride, a great stick and a pretty good understanding of what was expected of him while on the floor. His gritty effort and performance this past weekend at both ends of the floor assured him a spot on the final roster.”

On Sunday morning, Chetner felt he played solid defence while also scoring. His focus was to work harder than others and perform in both ends.

“Everyone is talented lacrosse players here,” said Chetner. “It’s fun to play.”

While Chetner was the lone Penticton Heat player to make the team, he was joined by Josh Greenwood and Kaid MacLeod to make the final 30 (players) game. Brad Stel performed well despite not making the top four.

Dan Chetner, who coached Team Interior, said they played well despite losing all three games by a combined score of 23-12.

“The kids can play at this level,” he said.

Dan said what separates a lot of the players, who possess offensive talent, is their transition game and how they play in dirty areas.

“Coaches are looking for gritty players, those willing to go in dirty areas and sacrifice,” he said.

Leies was quite impressed with how players conducted themselves maturely and respectfully on and off the floor.

“The talent level on the floor did not disappoint me in the least and each player displayed positively why they were chosen by their respective district coaches for the main camp,” said Leies, who was also impressed by the coaches, volunteers and parent group that attended the camp.

With the other three Heat players, here is what Leies had to say of their performance:

Josh Greenwood was one of the fittest right-handed players at the camp but in a camp of 60 players, right-handers were in abundance. Making the top 30 was an accomplishment and an achievement but with the depth of those in attendance, he was in tough.

Kaid McLeod is a left-hander and was not too far behind his teammate Jean-Luc. He is a very good offensive player and played pretty well transitionally. It wasn’t that his defence was poor, it was just that others were that much better. He made the final 30 game and was probably about three or four players away from making the team. He made it tough on the evaluators, that’s for sure.

Finally, goaltender Brad Stel. He played the best I’ve seen for an Interior goalie in years. He just doesn’t play against the highest level or calibre of players on a consistent basis to maintain the level of sharpness that some of the other goaltenders displayed. He wasn’t in the final 30 but played very strong nonetheless.