Denver Pioneers 2025

[cherrylax]

Thought I'd start a new forum turning the page on very encouraging season. time for our first north of the border check in.

Ontario:

Tye Scott, Brampton Excelsiors, GP:6 G:5 A:9. Encouraging to see him on the floor this summer and having a decent campaign with Brampton. Hasn't played the last two summers so I had to think there was an injury. As we've discussed in the past this kid is an unknown quantity for the pioneers. Seems like he has great size (6'3, 200) and plenty of skill but just can't seem to get on the field. Honestly thought we may see him the portal, but looks like he'll be back for his junior year with 4 years of eligibility remaining.

DJ Clark, Peterborough Lakers. GP:8 G:14 A:17. A bit of a slower start from DJ this year but has picked it up in his last 4 games having 15 points in his last 5 games. His Peterborough Lakers team is definitely down again this year and has very little offense besides him and Roode (Michigan). Chances are we'll see DJ bump back up to Senior A a little later on in the summer.

Colm Barnett, Orangeville Northmen, GP:6 G:0 A:2. One of the guys who I thought could've taken a step up and contributed a bit more this year, but has seemed to be lost in the depth chart. Plays on a team with a ridiculous amount of offensive talent so is a staple on the defensive end. Looked to make the switch to Dmid this year, and would love to see him embrace that role and become a part of our rope unit. Has a great stick and could really be an asset in the transition game. Only played in 3 games this year so I believe he can technically call this a red shirt year.
*On another note Orangeville has some really good young talent on the offensive end with Guerin Jennings and Dylan Sanderson both being rookies and 2025's. Would be shocked if Denver wasn't making a run at one or both of these guys.

Justin Tavares (25'), Mimico Mountaineers, GP:8 G:3 A:1. Having a solid year as a rookie. Plays on the defensive end and in transition. Very much a two way middie on the field having watched him at Deerfield this spring.

BC

Noah Manning, Coquitlam Adanacs (traded from Victoria), GP:6 G:10 A:8. Seems like Victoria is down this year and moved Manning to the team trying to win the Minto. Seems to be doing well in the Adanacs system with 7 points in 2 games.

Grayson Manning (24'), Victoria Shamrocks: GP:11, .841 SVP, 8.18 GAA. Our first ever goalie write up goes to the younger Manning. Although his wins and losses aren't what what he would like overall he's saving the ball at the third highest percentage in the BCJALL. Really don't know how box goalie translates to field, but having seen him play both I can't wait to see him in Crimson and Gold.

Cody Malawsky, Langley Thunder: GP:2 G:4 A:2. To put it bluntly Langley Stinks. Seems like Cody took some time off after a late NCAA run so really hasn't been that involved. With Langley Sitting at 0-13 Malawsky is Probably another guy we'll see moved to a contender like Coquitlam or Nanaimo.

Casey Wilson, Victoria Shamrocks (Senior A): GP:3 G:4 A:2. Another guy who got a late start to the season, but seems to be playing a bit more on the offensive end of the floor than last year. Should be an early round selection in the NLL draft next year.

Any other updates on incoming recruits would be greatly appreciated.

[Puck Swami]

Denver is losing a ton of players from a final four team, including the goaltender, the face-off man, most of the defenders and a lot of the scoring. I see a lot of starting positions up for grabs, and depending on who fills them and how quickly they gel/produce, this could very well be a rebuilding year.

Please prove me wrong, Pios.

[cherrylax]

Looks like Denver added two more 24's who were committed to High Point, a Middie and an LSM from nearby Valor Christen. That puts us at 17 new comers next fall including our one transfer. NONE OF WHICH are a face off guy. Break out the Red Shirts.

Agreed that next year may be a growing year, but having one unproven face off guy on the roster is going to put a TON of pressure on an inexperienced defense. Taking a look at the portal it's pretty slim pickings besides Greenspan from ND, who would be a fantastic get, but from an area of the country where It's pretty much IVY's or bust.

[cherrylax]

Looks like Denver added two more 24's who were committed to High Point, a Middie and an LSM from nearby Valor Christen. That puts us at 17 new comers next fall including our one transfer. NONE OF WHICH are a face off guy. Break out the Red Shirts.

Agreed that next year may be a growing year, but having one unproven face off guy on the roster is going to put a TON of pressure on an inexperienced defense. Taking a look at the portal it's pretty slim pickings besides Greenspan from ND, who would be a fantastic get, but from an area of the country where It's pretty much IVY's or bust.

AND He's gone...

[cherrylax]

Minto Cup North of the Border Update

Pio’s have quite a few guys playing in the upcoming Minto Cup. Finals include Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Orangeville, and Calgary.

Ontario:

Tye Scott, Brampton Excelsiors, GP:15 G:13 A:20. Does he stay healthy? Encouraging to see him play a whole Junior A season. Can always use lefty’s so should have the opportunity.

DJ Clark, Peterborough Lakers. GP:27 G:41 A:67. A slower start lead to an 100+ point season for DJ. Think with the graduation of a good chunk of offense DJ is going to have to step up and be a player. Somewhat surprised he hasn’t been called up to Senior A again this year, but a bit thankful to hopefully get him back healthy.

Colm Barnett, Orangeville Northmen, Minto Cup Bound GP:13 G:1 A:4. A main stay on the defensive end of the floor for Orangeville.

Justin Tavares (25'), Mimico Mountaineers, GP:30 G:23 A:13. Started the year on the defensive end, but really came into an offensive/transition role towards the end of the season. Played in the Ontario Finals with Mimico and put up 6 points.

Sam Trumble, Transfer, Peterborough Lakers. GP:29 G:13 A:11. Believe he will be a sophomore in 2024 after transferring in from Carleton University in Ottawa. Not sure how much offensive time he will see but could be valuable on FO wings and could be added to the rope unit.

BC

Noah Manning, Coquitlam Adanacs (traded from Victoria), Minto Cup Bound, GP:11 G:18 A:17. A bit more of a quiet year for Noah only putting up 33 points this year. Kid has always seemed poised to break out, but just never has quite put his whole game together. Expect him to go back to Attack on the right side in 2025.

Grayson Manning (24'), Victoria Shamrocks: GP:14, .827 SVP, 9.03 GAA. Dropped off a bit stats wise as Victoria cleaned house. Was actually a back up to Angus Snow, but outperformed him statistically. It will be very interesting what happens this year in the net for the Pio’s. With Kleban coming back it should be his job to lose, but it’s going to be hard to keep Grayson Manning on the bench.

Cody Malawsky, Coquitlam Adanacs (traded from Langley), Minto Cup Bound: GP:8 G:12 A:16. Absolutely crushed it in the BC playoffs leading the Adanac’s with 25 points in 7 games played. Should be solidly planted on the left side of the field this Spring.

Casey Wilson, Victoria Shamrocks (Senior A): GP:13 G:21 A:23. Currently playing in the Western Lacrosse semifinals where he has 10 points in 4 games played. My pick to be a first team all American at dmiddie next season.

NCBS (National Collegiate Box Series)

Liam Connors (24’), Red Hawks, GP: 4 G: 7 A:11. An interesting recruit coming from the non hotbed of Erie Colorado, but has some real slickness to his game. Was 4th in points behind established college players. Could really push Manning for that Righty spot this year, but most likely going to be a man up guy early on.

Mic Kelly, Gaels, GP:4 G:9 A:8. Got some very high praise from some of the NLL scouts that were there. "Mic Kelly has so much promise and upside in his game; he just reminds me of Jack Hannah. The way he switches hands is very Schreiber-esque." He is going to have to be a leader on offense this year, and has shown flashes of being an absolute dominant force, but has disappeared at times. It’s his show now.

Still unsure about the plan for Face off this spring. Going to put a lot of pressure on an inexperienced defense if the staff doesn't make any moves.

[GoPios]

2025 roster is out. Looks like they added a FOGO transfer from Lynchburg.

https://denverpioneers.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/roster

[cherrylax]

2025 roster is out. Looks like they added a FOGO transfer from Lynchburg.

https://denverpioneers.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/roster

Well that helps depth a bit. Looks like a very solid D3 player.

[JustPassingThrough]

2025 roster is out. Looks like they added a FOGO transfer from Lynchburg.

https://denverpioneers.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/roster

Link to his bio: https://denverpioneers.com/sports/mens- ... kraus/5833

[cherrylax]

17 days in and 0 commits in the 2026 class is somewhat disappointing, but not all together that surprising. With NIL dollars flowing from the power 5 schools, I think Denver is going to have to be a bit more savy on the recruiting front. I do think it's strange that this year we don't even have the token Denver Elite kid that they take every year. Last year Wyatt Hurd was taken pretty early in September (Not that I don't think he's gonna be a player, kid scored a ton of goals at South). Would be interesting to see the recruiting board to see if some of these guys were actually considered or if the staff had written off a lot of the "elite" recruits.

[cherrylax]

Anyone have an update on how the Utah scrimmage was? Only thing I've seen is what Denver posted and it's a Malawsky goal. Looks like he was on the field with Megeras (Freshman) and Tzagournis. Besides that bubkis.

On another note the recruting in the 26 class has definitely picked up as I believe we're at around 6.

[OSVAlacrosse]

Anyone have an update on how the Utah scrimmage was? Only thing I've seen is what Denver posted and it's a Malawsky goal. Looks like he was on the field with Megeras (Freshman) and Tzagournis. Besides that bubkis.

On another note the recruting in the 26 class has definitely picked up as I believe we're at around 6.

It was a beautiful day in Salt Lake City. Denver played Westminster for three quarters then changed fields and played Utah in a game like four quarters. Both teams seemed to be playing with intensity. It was competitive but as it is fall no score was kept. Utah did score a couple more than Denver like 11-9. There was a decent crowd on hand for a fall scrimmage.

[cherrylax]

Did anyone catch the Alumni game last weekend?