Prince Albert's Chase Lehner (left) and Sawyer Elphinstone were named to Canada West for Lacrosse Canada’s National Development Team Program on Tuesday. (Carey Lehner/Carlton Global Sports Academy Student-Athletes via Facebook)

By Logan Lehmann

National Stage

Predators among names on U17, U19 National Development rosters

May 16, 2025 | 2:00 PM

A pair of Prince Albert Predators will swap the Blue and Gold for the Red and White later this summer.

It was announced earlier this week that Predators Chase Lehner and Sawyer Elphinstone were named to Canada West for Lacrosse Canada’s National Development Team Program (NDTP), with Lehner named to the U19 roster, while Elphinstone is on the U17 roster.

In five games with the Predators this season, Lehner is among the leaders in points with 21 (13G-8A), which places him fifth among the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League (PGLL). In 2024 with the U17 North Sask Predators, he managed 37 points (23G-14A) and added another two goals and three assists in two games as an affiliated player with the Preds in the PGLL. Additionally, he represented the city on Team North at the U20 Field Provincials, and tacked on seven points (4G-3A) in two games. He will play on the Canada West NDTP as a midfielder.

Elphinstone has been just as productive, both on the field and on the floor. With the U17 North Sask Predators in 2025, the defenceman managed nine points (4G-5A) in six games, and is still looking for his first point as an AP with the Jr. Predators after two outings. Last year with U17 North Sask, Elphinstone tallied three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 12 contests, adding 26 penalty minutes.

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The program itself will feature bi-monthly video sessions with NDTP coaches, national team coaches, NCAA coaches, recruiting, skills, mental health, nutrition, and training, along with a 2-day late August camp with three-hour practices. The program also had a 2-day camp over spring break.

Canada West will also play games against other development programs from across the United States with the first happening in Maryland in September. That’s followed by a trip to Denver University (DU) in Colorado in October, where the U19’s will play the freshman from DU, while the U17’s will play the highest level of competition with an opponent to be determined. That also includes a separate event at the University as well as a tour, among other activities.

The final stop for the NDTP will be in Culver, Indiana during the third week of October, when both the Canada East and West teams will play against Western Reserve and Culver Academy.

The NDTP provides elite training, high-level competition, and exposure to the national team environment by fostering skill development and national pride. With that, the program prepares the next generation of lacrosse players for a future in international play at the senior national levels.

The West programs includes players from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while the East has players from Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland.

-With files from Lacrosse Canada

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

On Bluesky: @loganlehmann.bsky.social