WHAT IS THE CANADIAN LACROSSE LEAGUE?
Founded in 2016, the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the establishment of the first amateur major junior lacrosse in Canada. As a Founding Member Nation of International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) the CLL represents Canada at the World Junior Lacrosse Championship (WJLC) and all other IIJL events.
What is Major Junior Lacrosse?
As established by existing leagues in other sports, namely hockey, major junior is defined as a league devoted to the development of players between the ages of sixteen (16) and twenty (20) years old. Additionally, playing major junior is free-to-play for all players during league exhibition, regular season, playoff, and national championship competition.
HOW IS THE CANADIAN LACROSSE LEAGUE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER JUNOR LEAGUES?
- The CLL is the first and only junior league in Canada using the same rules as the National Lacrosse League (NLL)
- CLL teams do not monetarily exchange player 'playing rights', in other words, players are not traded for cash
- Each League under the CLL, the Ontario Lacrosse League (OLL) and Western Lacrosse League (WLL), play by and operate under the same rules and policies, respectively
- The CLL follows a proven LTAD Model for players sixteen (16) to twenty (20) years of age creating the best environment for players to compete, develop, and showcase their skills
HOW ARE PLAYERS SELECTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AT THE IIJL WORLD JUNIOR LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP?
The CLL currently holds five (5) Regional Combines each year to identify potential players for the upcoming World Junior Lacrosse Championship and other IIJL events, including but not limited to; the Commonwealth Cup (CWC), North American Cup Series (NACS), World U15 Lacrosse Championship (WU15LC), and World U17 Lacrosse Championship (WU17C). The Regional Combines are used by Canada staff to evaluate players on their athleticism, skill, lacrosse IQ, and communication skills.
WHAT IF A PLAYER CAN NOT ATTEND A REGIONAL COMBINE DUE TO A SCHEDULing CONFLICT?
The CLL and Canada staff understand that junior players have a variety of obligations. During the selection process communication is important and valued by Canada staff. If a player can not attend a Regional Combine and communicates with Canada staff, the player will remain in consideration over the course of our Summer Evaluation Period leading up to the current year's World Junior Lacrosse Championship and other IIJL events.
What is the Summer Evaluation Period?
The Summer Evaluation Period is the time duration between the end of the Regional Combines and the completion of the Canadian junior (A, B, C) regular season and or elimination from playoffs. The Summer Evaluation Period is a time for Canada staff to watch and privately evaluate potential players for inclusion on the Canada roster. Players are not contacted until they are out of playoff contention or eliminated from playoffs - to avoid any distractions while players are focused on winning a Canadian Junior A or B National Championship with their respective junior team.
