The New York Riptide of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) selected Carleton student Will Johnston 34th overall in the NLL draft last August. He is currently signed to the Riptide’s practice roster as a goalie and has been training with the team since September.
Johnston, 19, is in his second year as a defenceman for the Carleton Ravens field lacrosse team, which competes in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA).
He said it was a dream come true to be drafted by the Riptide, especially since he entered the draft not knowing if he would be selected.
“It’s any athlete’s dream to play their sport professionally,” Johnston said. “It means the world to be in New York as well. I have a great team and staff around me. Everyone is super supportive and they want me to succeed as much as I do.”
Johnston is still eligible to play both at Carleton and with his Junior A team, the Toronto Beaches.
The Ravens begin training camp in late August and wrap up the first weekend of November. NLL training camp begins in early November, with the season ending in April. Since the seasons don’t overlap, Johnston can play in both leagues.
“As soon as one season ends, I essentially begin a brand new season,” Johnston said. “We look at it as more practice and more chances to play lacrosse so no one has an issue with it.”
Mark Lange, head coach of the Carleton men’s lacrosse team, said Johnston’s professional success reflects extremely well on the program.
“To have a guy who’s on our team right now and will be for the next two years get drafted into the NLL is huge from a recruiting standpoint,” Lange said.
Lange had high praise for Johnston as both a player and person.
“First and foremost, his commitment level is very high. He’s at every practice, he always works hard and he does everything we ask him to do,” Lange said. “Secondly, he’s positively contagious. He’s always communicating and leading. That shines through with his teammates.”
Lange added that Johnston will likely run a team leadership group next season, the goal being to develop leaders and create team chemistry.
“Will is a great kid. From the moment he started, he’s been a great addition to the team,” Lange said.
Before joining the Ravens, Johnston played box lacrosse his entire life, most recently for the Beaches and the Nepean Knights, a Junior B team. The NLL also follows box lacrosse rules.
According to Johnston, field and box lacrosse both require the same general skill set but have different rules and tactics.
“When I explain [the difference] to someone who’s not familiar with lacrosse, I say it’s like indoor and beach volleyball,” Johnston said.
In the summer of 2020, Johnston decided to attend Carleton as a communications major starting that September, but he still wanted to play lacrosse.
When the 2020 CUFLA season was cancelled due to COVID-19, Johnston spent his freshman season training and participating in team-building activities. He continued to play box lacrosse with the Beaches and didn’t anticipate getting drafted into the NLL.
“In a lot of ways, that missed year was awesome for our players,” Lange said. “All the team-building activities and the off-field training that year improved team chemistry and helped the on-field product immensely.”
The 2021 season was his first actual competition with Carleton. At the same time, he continued to train with the Riptide and Beaches.
Johnston said playing as a goalie in box lacrosse but also as a defenceman in field lacrosse helped improve his game significantly.
Lange agreed. He noticed that, as a box lacrosse goalie, Johnston’s footwork and athleticism initially weren’t good enough for a field lacrosse defenceman.
“What has really improved in a short time is his footwork, which includes his quick starts, how to and when to close out on an offender, [and] what angle to take on a slide,” Lange said.
The CUFLA has no limit on how many years a player can compete. Johnston said he hopes to play at Carleton for the remainder of his degree while playing for New York in the winter.
“I’m gonna definitely finish out my degree and then go from there,” Johnston said.
As he plans his next move, Johnston’s team at Carleton is more than happy to have him contribute.
“Our team’s goal is to recruit the best lacrosse players in Ottawa to play for Carleton,” Lange said. “Will certainly falls into that category.”
Featured image provided Robert Hoselton/Carleton lacrosse.
