The Orillia Mister Transmission Jr. B Kings lacrosse club has announced significant management changes as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
Former Kings player Scott Balkwill has been named the team’s new general manager, taking over from Rob Blasdell.
Balkwill, a member of the Kings from 1992 to 1997, was instrumental in their back-to-back Founders Cup championships in 1994 and 1995. He served as assistant general manager last season and expressed enthusiasm about stepping into his new role.
“We want to give our players as much support as we can,” Balkwill said.
Blasdell, who played 16 seasons as a goalie in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), will stay with the club with his focus being on mentoring the team’s goaltenders.
The Kings will also see a change behind the bench. Head coach Jim Meredith, who led the team for the past three years, will not return this season. Meredith was credited with revitalizing the Kings, helping them reach the second round of the Ontario Lacrosse Association playoffs last year, their best postseason performance since 1997.
“Jim has helped us a great deal by getting us to where we are now,” Balkwill said. “He’s done a great job turning this team around and making us competitive.”
This season, the Kings will adopt a “coach by committee” strategy, with several new additions to the coaching staff. Kory Shirtliff, who has been a bench coach with the Kings for the past two seasons, will step into the head coach role.
“He has a familiarity with our team and has coached in the minor programs before,” Balkwill said. “This is a good opportunity for him to continue teaching skills while utilizing the support of the other coaches.”
The expanded coaching staff includes Jason Knox and Austin Murphy as offensive coaches, and Chad Schmeler and Mike Montgomery focusing on defence.
Knox is an active player with the NLL’s Halifax Thunderbirds, while Murphy brings experience from his time in Jr. A and with the NLL's Saskatchewan Rush. Schmeler played Sr. B lacrosse, and Montgomery, a former Kings player, returns after serving as a bench coach last year.
The Kings face a significant roster turnover as several key players, including captain Jack Marwick, have aged out of the program. Other departures include goaltender Quinton Greenfield, face-off specialist Aidan Colebrook, forward Jesse Ashkewe, and defencemen Ashton Twyman and Trent Tibbett.
“It’s a great opportunity for players who were on our team last year to step up into an increased role,” Balkwill said. “It’s also a chance for U17 graduates and players from other communities to make the team.”
Coming off a strong 2024 season, the Kings are focused on continuing their momentum. Balkwill highlighted the importance of community support in the team’s efforts to bring a championship back to Orillia.
“It’s been a busy off-season, but our goal to win a championship remains the same,” he said.
