Nine years ago Nick Amendt first picked up a lacrosse stick when the Lacoka Lacrosse program introduced the sport to Lacombe and Ponoka. He fell in love with the sport and improved his skill level quickly. He was fortunate to have the opportunity early in his lacrosse playing days to compete in several provincial championship tournaments for the Lacoka Locos.
He followed his minor lacrosse career by travelling to Red Deer to play on a junior B tier II team in his first year and then the following year travelling to play junior B tier I for the Sherwood Park Titans. He continued his junior lacrosse career for the next three years playing on the junior A Edmonton Miners, who played out of St. Albert. Amendt travelled back and forth from Ponoka five to six times per week for the first year and then decided to live in Edmonton for the next two summers to make the commitment to play at this elite level while working and saving money to go to college in Camrose.
It was after his first year at the junior A level that Amendt decided that he wanted to play lacrosse at the college level and was fortunate to be offered a scholarship at the American International College in Springfield, Mass. playing field lacrosse at the NCAA Division II level. Having the opportunity to go to school and play lacrosse year round has allowed him to continue to improve. This past year has been an exciting time as he played a prominent role on his college team, being one of three Canadians on the team. He was recognized for his efforts and leadership by being named a team captain for the upcoming college season.
After graduating from junior lacrosse, Amendt was drafted by the senior B Spruce Grove Slash and was placed on their 50-man protected list. He returned from college in May in excellent shape and worked his way on to their 25-man roster and has played a regular role as a defense and transition player on the team that features five players who play professionally in the National Lacrosse League.
The Spruce Grove Slash will host the President’s Cup, Canada’s National Senior B Championship from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, which will give Amendt the opportunity to play in his first national championship with and against some of the best lacrosse players in the country. The championships will be played at the Grant Fuhr Arena in Spruce Grove with the top seven teams in Canada competing. The Slash will play every day for the first six days at 5:30 p.m. Amendt invites everyone to come watch or if you have more time, volunteer to assist with the event.
For more information about the President’s Cup check out the website at http://clapresidentscup.ca/
—Submitted