The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) is expanding its EPIC Lacrosse programming with the addition of a Junior Elite Development Camp, set for Monday, May 11, 2026 from 7:00pm - 9:30pm at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre.
EPIC Lacrosse is Ontario Lacrosse’s high-performance athlete development program, created to meet the growing demand for elite-level competition and structured development opportunities.
Building on the success of its initial programming, EPIC now expands into player development camps—beginning with this Junior-focused experience.
The Junior Elite Development Camp is designed as an early-season opportunity for Junior “A”, “B”, and “C” athletes, with a concentrated focus on scoring and goaltending. Athletes will take part in 2.5 hours of on-floor positional instruction, mechanics, strategies, communication, situational awareness and structured demonstrations.
“We are excited to have EPIC Lacrosse expanding into development camps following the initial success of last summer’s U17 Prospects Showcase. Hosting EPIC Lacrosse camps and events in various Ontario centres allows us to reach even more players with quality training to help them achieve more in the sport” said OLA Program Director, Ron MacSpadyen. “The EPIC Junior Elite Development Camp is targeted to make a difference for every player with the passion and ambition to either climb Junior lacrosse tiers or achieve more in the sport at the next level”.
The camp will be led by an experienced group of coaches with backgrounds in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL), and NCAA programs, bringing a wealth of knowledge and insight to the floor.
Offensive Coaches
Josh Sanderson
A legendary figure in Canadian lacrosse, Sanderson is a member of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and the NLL Hall of Fame. Over a 19-season NLL career, he recorded 1,454 points in 290 games and captured NLL Championships in 2005 and 2009. Sanderson is also a two-time Minto Cup Champion and three-time Mann Cup Champion, and was twice named OJLL Leading Scorer and MVP.
Austin Shanks
Known for his high-scoring prowess, Shanks won a Minto Cup with the Whitby Warriors in 2013 and was named both OJLL MVP and Most Outstanding Player in 2015. He recorded 269 points over a 72-game regular-season OJLL career. A standout at Bellarmine University and The Ohio State University, Shanks has since amassed 406 points in the NLL, establishing himself as a consistent scoring threat at the professional level.
Goaltender Coaches
Nick Rose
Named NLL Goaltender of the Year in 2024, Rose is a two-time Minto Cup Champion, World Indoor Lacrosse Champion, and was the WLA MVP in 2012. With over 15 seasons in the NLL, he continues to be a key figure in Ontario lacrosse, both on and off the floor. He also serves as President of the Orangeville Northmen Junior “A” Lacrosse Club, a seven-time Minto Cup champion program, where he helps guide the development of the next generation of players.
Riley Hutchcraft
After an outstanding performance at the 2017 Minto Cup for the Mimico Mountaineers, Hutchcraft was selected by the Toronto Rock in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft. Since his professional debut in 2018, he has delivered key performances with high save totals during six seasons with the Toronto Rock and Rochester Knighthawks. In 2023, he was named the Defender of the Year in Major Series Lacrosse after posting the lowest goals against average (10.17) in the league for the Brooklin Lacrosse Club. Hutchcraft currently serves as Head Coach of the St. Catharines Junior “B” Lacrosse franchise helping guide aspiring athletes to the next level.
Registration is now open, with limited spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, follow @epiclaxgames on social media for updates.