Ontario Lacrosse Announces Coaching Lineup For Epic Box Prospect Showcase Player Development Camp
Photo: National Lacrosse League
TORONTO, ON – July 26th, 2025 – The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) is excited to announce the coaching staff for the player development camp taking place on Sunday, August 17 at the inaugural EPIC Box Prospect Showcase, hosted at Canada Games Park in St. Catharines.
The player development camp, designed to launch the three-day showcase, will feature a distinguished group of coaches bringing decades of experience from the National Lacrosse League (NLL), Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL), National Team programs, and NCAA lacrosse. This highly accomplished coaching staff will guide athletes through positional training, game preparation, and focused mentorship opportunities.
“We are excited to have these highly accomplished and respected coaches sharing technical insights and strategies with next generation players” said OLA Program Director, Ron MacSpadyen. “Our EPIC Box Prospects Showcase is designed to make a difference for every player with the passion and ambition to achieve more in the sport”.
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.
Defensive Coaches
Dan Coates
With 14 years of NLL experience, Coates is a proven defensive anchor and a multi-time world champion in both field and box lacrosse. He is a three-time Mann Cup Champion with Six Nations, and has competed professionally in field lacrosse in both the MLL and PLL. Coates also played and now coaches at the NCAA level with Canisius University, bringing a well-rounded perspective to player development.
Chris Corbeil
A veteran defender with a 16-year NLL career, Corbeil is a three-time NLL Champion and three-time World Indoor Lacrosse Champion with Team Canada, where he served as captain in 2019. He also captured a Mann Cup with Brampton in 2011 and is recognized as one of the most consistent and respected defenders in the game. Corbeil, an accomplished multi-sport athlete, also won an OJHL Championship with the Oakville Blades and played Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) hockey with the Western University Mustangs.
Goaltending Coaches
Mike Poulin
An 18-year NLL veteran, Poulin played for Toronto, Boston, Calgary, Georgia, and San Diego, earning a reputation as one of the league’s most respected goaltenders. He was named NLL Goaltender of the Year in 2012, captured the NLL Championship with the Georgia Swarm in 2017, and received the Teammate of the Year Award three times. On the international stage, he represented Team Canada at the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.
Poulin also enjoyed a decorated MSL career with Kitchener, Brooklin, Six Nations, and Peterborough, winning Mann Cups in 2019 and 2022 with the Peterborough Lakers, and earning Mann Cup MVP honours in 2019. He brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and goaltending insight to the next generation of Ontario athletes.
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.
This accomplished coaching group will lead focused development sessions designed to prepare athletes for the competitive environment of the showcase. With a strong emphasis on technical skills, positional instruction, and situational awareness, the camp will offer valuable guidance for players looking to elevate their game.
Coaches have been submitting player nominations since early July, and invitations will begin going out to selected athletes this week. Rosters will be filled by position to ensure competitive balance across all teams.
For further information on the EPIC Box Prospect Showcase, please visit epiclacrosse.ca and follow @epiclaxgames on social media for updates.