Marshal King’s reaction to his selection for Team Canada’s entry into the 2016 FIL U19 Men’s World Championship was one of glee.
“I received an email at school, dropped my phone and I was freaking out and called my parents immediately, screaming into the phone,” the 18-year-old recalled of the original announcement in February.
The excitement hasn’t subsided as the tournament, featuring 14 teams in three divisions, begins next week, July 7-16, in Coquitlam.
“I’m really excited. It’s an honour and it’s a world-class stage,” said the Drexel University and Junior Shamrock product.
“It’s everything you think about growing up as a kid in lacrosse — playing for Team Canada. Those are the guys on teams that are killing it, running the show in all the pro leagues. That’s the level that everyone wants to make it to in their life and it’s an honour that I get to play there.”
He is following in the footsteps of his brother Jesse King, who won gold with the Canada’s men’s team two years ago.
“Especially having my brother go through the process with two Team Canada teams,” Marshal King said.
“Ever since he stepped on the field with Team Canada, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. He’s a big influence. I went to Denver when he played with the men’s team to watch them pull off what nobody expected — for Canada to win.”
At the U19 championship, Canada will face a tough task in attempting to knock off the powerhouse Team U.S.A., which has won seven straight at this level dating back to 1988.
“We have a pretty good squad this year and I think we’re going to open some eyes and make a run,” said King, who returned from Drexel at the start of the month and missed a good portion of the Juniors Shamrocks’ season, which could end this weekend.
“It was an exciting year,” he said of the Drexel Dragons. “I got a lot of playing time. We obviously didn’t have that great of a season, but we haven’t graduated a lot of guys, so we have a lot of potential for next year.
“It’s been tough here [Junior Shamrocks]. I think I counted 13 or 14 of us on this box team who played in NCAA through May. I didn’t get here until the start of June, and it kills you coming this late and trying to immediately adjust from field to the box game.”
“Marshal is a very gifted offensive player,” said Junior Shamrocks head coach Walt Christianson. “This year and last year, he’s been growing into his body, getting some size. He’s almost six-foot-four now and I think he’ll still grow. Once he puts on more weight, he’ll be even more dynamic.
“Missing the first half here, because of his late arrival from Drexel, was hard on him because the first few games he had to jump right in. The last four or five games he’s been one of our better offensive players. He’s a smart kid, a natural point man on the power play, which is hard to find, and he’s a really good shooter. For him to make that team is a real feather in his cap.”
As for King, he looks forward to next week, especially with the tournament on the mainland.
“Obviously, I’m nervous, but, at the same time, I’m collected and so excited to go. There will be a lot of people there and it will be a big test. Most are expecting the two of us [Canada and the U.S.] to be in the final.
“I already have all my friends telling me they are going to come. Obviously, we will have that home-field advantage for us, with all the Canadian fans, and that’ll make it that much more fun knowing you’re playing in front of the people that have supported you the whole way.”
Canada — in the Blue Division with the U.S., Australia, England and the Iroquois Nationals — opens against the Americans on July 7 at 7:30 p.m. after opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m.
IN THE BASKET: King is the only local on Canada, but Mathieu Jung of Duncan, who plays Junior A in Nanaimo, is playing for China. Hong Kong head coach Scott Browning is from Victoria, as is his goalie coach, Bert Marshall. Jordan Wong of Victoria is the development director for Hong Kong lacrosse.
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