An Estevan lacrosse star is looking to Ontario as he continues to aim for the big time in the growing sport.
Wyatt Haux, a defenceman who has played junior lacrosse with the Saskatoon Swat program, has committed to play for the St. Catharines Athletics Junior A program for this season, his last at that level.
“It’s a good opportunity to try out a different league, and just join a good team. They’re putting in a bid to host nationals, so they have a lot of good things going for them. They have an all-pro coaching staff,” Haux said in an interview with Lifestyles.
The season starts in early May this year, and if they make nationals, the Athletics would continue playing until September.
Haux has been playing junior A lacrosse in a league with Saskatchewan and Alberta players. The level of competition has been good, but there are fewer teams and less exposure than what Ontario can offer. More people will be watching him with the Athletics, who finished second in the league last year, and didn’t lose many players to graduation.
Adding to the list of positives for the Athletics is they have players that Haux knows through Team Canada.
“They really like my size. They’re hoping to bring in size this year. They thought that they lacked that last year,” said Haux. “They’re brining in some size and a little bit more of a physical game.”
The coach has been encouraging Haux to get in the gym and to stay in shape, and to keep working on his hand skills.
Haux hopes that playing for St. Catharines will help create some opportunities with the National Lacrosse League, which is the premier professional league for the sport in North America, and has a team in Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Rush, who have proven to be a popular addition to the Saskatchewan sporting scene.
He has represented his country on the global stage, including the 2019 World Junior Championships in Mississauga, Ont., where he captained Canada to a gold medal. Experiences like that helped create the opportunity for him to join the Athletics.
“It was more than just the Athletics wanting me. I had some offers in B.C., and some other offers around Ontario. It’s good that I had the opportunity to pick where I wanted to go for my last year,” said Haux.
Haux hasn’t forgotten where he came from, either. He still credits Estevan Minor Box Lacrosse for giving him exposure to the sport and providing him with his start, which has allowed him to play the game at a higher level.
