Jason Knox, grandson of Jack Bionda, who set many lacrosse records and received many awards, is following in his footsteps and has a most promising future in the sport.
Knox was recently named Rookie of the Year in the Ontario Jr. A Lacrosse league. Making it an even more meaningful achievement is the fact that Knox is only 16 and played against many opponents four and five years older.
Knox was selected in the draft last year by the Burlington Chiefs. Although thankful for the opportunity and knowing that his progress would be enhanced by playing at this level, his parents Kevin and Jocelyn Knox were not sure if he could compete at this level.
“We didn’t know how it was going to go until the tryouts,” said Jocelyn Knox. “He made the team and they said he would get a regular shift so we decided to make the commitment.”
“First game Kevin and I said okay, we’ll see what he does. Maybe he will get an assist or two. Well, he came out with a ten-point game against Whitby and as soon as we saw that we said okay he’s fine.”
It was also a boost of confidence for Jason Knox. Not only did he score his first Junior A goal in his first game with the Chiefs, but he assisted on eight more. He actually led the league in assists until the middle of the season when Jeff Teat of Brampton moved in front in that department.
Knox ended up with 60 points in the regular season and had another 17 points in the playoffs, in three games.
Knox is in good company with his award. A previous recipient was John Tavares who now plays in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders and John Grant who just retired this year from professional lacrosse. The award is called the Joe Nieuwendyk trophy after another NHL player.
“The season was better than I expected as a break out into the Junior A league,” said Jason, “and receiving the Joey Nieuwendyk award is an honour. So many great players that I look up to have received that award. I am very thankful the opportunity arose for me with the Burlington Chiefs and I look forward to the next four years of Junior A lacrosse.”
The Rookie achievement was not the only highlight of the year. Knox and Caleb Creasor, also of Huntsville, were named to the under-18 Ontario Men’s Field Lacrosse team. They will play in the Canadian championships September 1-3 in Saskatoon.
“The U18 team Ontario field group is just now getting started,” said Jason. “Last year I had a great showing with the team and I’m looking forward to representing my province once again this year.”
Jason is on his last year of a bursary award attending St. Andrew’s College in Aurora. He has given a verbal commitment to Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York state which plays NCAA Division One lacrosse.
Brett Handsor of Huntsville also played in the Junior A league with Orangeville and later Barrie this year. He is going to school at Culver Military Academy. He has committed to play for John Hopkins University in Maryland also in Division One lacrosse.
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Jason, Congratulations to you and the Bionda Family! Your grandfather was a lovely man and a true friend of my father Revis Bennett. I have been told a story that ‘to the horror of the shop keepers’ they use to pass the ball across the Main Street to hone their skills. Don’t think they missed much as I never heard that they or their parents had to pay for broken windows.