While Jordan Durston is still riding high after becoming a two-time Minto Cup champion this past weekend, his sights are set on even loftier goals.
“It’s awesome right now, I mean everyone with the congratulations I am getting,” said the 21-year-old member of the Six Nations Arrows.
“Playoffs were awesome. We couldn’t ask for a better run. I think we lost two or three times. It was pretty crazy, it was awesome, it was fun.”
With the National Lacrosse League (NLL) draft coming up on September 28, Durston said he is trying to prepare himself to make the jump to the pros.
“I am hoping to get picked up there and wherever I go from there, I need to make a pretty good impression at training camp,” he said. “Hopefully I can play some lacrosse this winter.”
Durston said playing in the NLL right after junior is a real possibility.
“Last year we had three or four, maybe five that made the transition right out of Minto and signed NLL cards,” he said. “If I get in gear, I think it could be realistic, but then again, I still have to work hard.”
Durston said more running and gym time will be in order.
“I also want to keep my stick in my hand and stay sharp so that when training camp comes, I’m not a step behind the players that I should be,” he said.
Durston helped the Six Nations Arrows beat the Coquitlam Adanacs four games to two in the Minto Cup championship.
Durston had two goals and three assists in the Game 6 clincher on Saturday.
Overall, Durston finished third in team scoring with 16 points, leading the club with 12 assists.
The win made it back-to-back Minto Cup wins for Durston, who hoisted the cup last year with fellow Wallaceburg lacrosse star Joel Shepley.
Having his friends and family at Six Nations watching him this year was a great experience, Durston said.
“It was amazing having my family up there the whole week,” he said. Not even just them, there was people from Wallaceburg. If it wasn’t one game it was another game, so there was always probably 20 to 30 people in the stands from the ‘Burg watching, so I mean I loved it. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was amazing.”
– Photo: Jordan Durston holding the Minto Cup beside his mother, Tracy.
– Photo credit: Ward Laforme Jr.
