By: Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Optimism fills Forest Glade Arena as the Windsor Clippers junior lacrosse team wraps up tryouts and prepares for the 2026 Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League season. Coming off a rebuilding year, the Clippers have finalized their roster and are focused on making a strong playoff run.
Head coach Trevor Learn, a Tecumseh native, is impressed with the team’s energy and chemistry. “The energy has been at an all-time high to start the season,” says Learn. “The guys are feeding off one another and creating chemistry right away.”
Offensively, the Clippers will rely on returning players Hudson and Vance Dalpe, Owen Arthur, Jacob Levesque, Logan Gough, and Keegan Bernier. They’re joined by promising rookies Anthony Hamacher, Travis Jankovich, Isaac Walker, and Brock Brennan, who was recently drafted 20th overall by the Toronto Beaches Jr. A team.
Fifth-year veteran Vance Dalpe, from Belle River, is determined to help the team reach new heights. “The goal right now is simple—get to the playoffs and be better than we were last year,” he says. Dalpe contributed 11 goals and 37 points in 12 games last season but emphasizes the importance of teamwork over individual statistics. “It’s a team game, and it’s going to take everyone to get us where we want to be.”
His younger brother Hudson, who led the team in scoring last year with 34 goals and 73 points as a rookie, echoes this sentiment. “Any chance I get to play lacrosse, it’s always exciting—putting on the jersey with the boys and being in that atmosphere,” says Hudson, a St. Anne Catholic High School student and St. Catharines Athletics Jr. A draft pick. “We only got better every game in preseason… that improvement shows.” He adds, “I just want to be the best team player I can—contribute, build camaraderie, and help make this a great squad.”
On defence, returning players Kane Murphy, Ashton Maluske, Gage Soulliere, Owen Coffey, Michael DiPonio, Caleb Whitson, Keegan McIntyre, Luke Morin, and Gabe Arnette will anchor the back end, with rookies Sebastien Rail, Brady Simpson, Jun Walker, and Easton Moffat providing fresh legs and energy.
The team had a solid showing at the Six Nations pre-season tournament, finishing with a 1-2-0 record. Fifth-year veteran Kane Murphy, a LaSalle native, is encouraged by the team’s progress. “There’s no reason not to be optimistic—we got better every game, and that’s all you can really ask for,” Murphy notes. “We should already have the mindset that we are making playoffs—not hoping to.” Renowned for his work ethic, he adds, “Treat it like a job. You come to practice to get better, and to games to win.”
Between the pipes, returning starter Daniel Deters looks to build on a promising rookie year, where he posted a 3-7-1 record with a 10.44 goals-against average after taking over mid-season. He will be teamed with second-year goalie Nathan Anger.
The Clippers’ bench boasts a wealth of coaching experience. Learn is joined by offensive coordinators Dave Hodgins and Zane Dalpe, defensive coordinator Jamie Pillon, equipment manager Ken Gough, and trainers Chris Williams and Jake Faubert. “This core group has been together for two or three years now, so it’s only a matter of time before they start to see the results of their hard work,” says Learn. “There’s a lot of belief in that room.”