Jean-Luc Chetner hopes netting a National Collegiate Athletic Association scholarship is in his future.
With that goal in mind, Chetner, who has been playing with the South Okanagan Junior B Flames team in the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League, will be leaving the club soon to play with the Coquitlam Adanacs full time in the B.C. Intermediate Lacrosse League.
Chetner has already played four games with the level A Adanacs. He has burned goalies for 11 goals and added 12 assists. Chetner said the difference in play between the Adanacs and Flames is that plays happen much quicker.
“Everyone is in transition, we’re up the floor in two seconds, back down the floor in two seconds. It’s just a whole other level than what we are playing here,” he said. “No offence to my guys, it’s just the depth out there, it’s unreal.”
Chetner will leave the Flames once he has finished school. He’s disappointed to be leaving his teammates, but excited about finishing the season with the Adanacs.
“I’m leaving my teammates right before playoffs. I think for my career as a lacrosse player it’s something I want to do to develop and progress,” he said.
The process for him to play in the Lower Mainland started when former Team B.C. teammates asked him to try playing there. In January he tried out for Delta and Richmond. Just as he was about to sign with Richmond, he was asked to come to Coquitlam. After his tryout, Chetner loved the Adanacs and decided to stick with them. Chetner is also receiving strong coaching from Steve McKinlay, who played professionally for two years until 2010 with the Washington Stealth of the National Lacrosse League and is an Adanacs alumni. McKinlay couldn’t be reached for comment.
“They know what they are talking about,” said Chetner, who feels he’s improving. “The players around me are just great players.”
Prior to playing his first game, Chetner was just trying to get a feel for things as he didn’t know the players or the plays. Scoring his first goal helped erase any jitters he felt and Chetner feels he has gotten better. The coaches have helped him in knowing where to position himself offensively and what to do.
As for living away from home for the first time, Chetner said being away for six weeks won’t be too bad.
“It will be a change but I look forward to it,” said Chetner.