Jake Withers and Graeme Hossack to play in the FIL Men’s Lacrosse World Championship.
The Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) and the senior men’s national team coaching staff named its 23-man roster for next month’s 2018 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Men’s Lacrosse World Championship.
Among those selected to defend Canada’s gold medal were Rochester Knighthawks’ Jake Withers and Graeme Hossack. The defensive stalwarts will showcase their skills on an international stage from July 12-21 in Netanya, Israel. Coaching the squad is Knighthawks Hall of Fame forward Randy Mearns.
“We are excited with the roster that we have selected and are honored to have the chance to lead this team at the 2018 World Championship,” said Mearns. “Canadian lacrosse talent continues to evolve and excel at the highest levels of the sport. As a group, we spent a lot of time working through our selection process and in the end had to make some very tough decisions. With so many elite level players in our pool, it was extremely challenging to bring it to the final 23, but now the journey begins.”
For Withers and Hossack, this marks their first appearance in the world championship. Withers is coming off an incredible rookie season in the National Lacrosse League. The Peterborough, Ontario native led the league with 279 faceoff wins and a .670 faceoff winning percentage to become the first rookie in league history to have the best faceoff percentage (minimum of 200 faceoffs won) since Geoff Snider in 2007. The former second overall pick finished second on the team with 148 loose balls en route to the Knighthawks’ 2017-18 Rookie of the Year award.
Fresh off an appearance in the NLL Finals, the 24-year-old is ready for his next challenge.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to represent Canada at the world games,” said Withers, who played his college ball at Ohio State University. “It’s been a dream of mine to be able to compete for my country. I am humbled and excited for the challenge that lies ahead and have no doubt in my mind that we have the group of men to defend the country’s gold medal. This being my first experience with Team Canada makes it a little more special as well.”
Hossack, who is an NLL Defensive Player of the Year nominee, will also don the maple leaf for the first time at the Worlds. The Port Perry, Ontario native was one of the most dominating players in the NLL this season. The 26-year-old set career highs in goals (seven), assists (seven), points (14) and loose balls (163). He was also tied for the NLL lead in caused turnovers (34) and third in loose balls. He was rewarded with his second straight team Defensive MVP honors.
The Lindenwood University product last played for Canada in 2016 as he joined his country for a pair of international exhibition games in Denver. After an impressive showing, he will now play in field lacrosse’s biggest international tournament.
“I am both excited and honored to be able to participate in the world championships, wearing Canada’s colors,” said Hossack.
This year, 46 countries will compete at the 2018 FIL Men’s Lacrosse World Championship. The U.S. and Canada are the only two countries to ever win the FIL Men’s World Championship, with Canada claiming gold in 1978 in Stockport, England, 2006 in London, Ontario, and 2014 in Denver.