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After an inaugural season that saw the Cambridge Highlanders finish with a respectable 9-11 record, head coach Brady Campbell has been busy throughout the offseason improving the team on and off the floor.
One of his biggest additions hasn't been a player but an affiliation with the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League's Mimico Mountaineers.
Through the partnership, the Highlanders will send players up to the junior A team when needed.
"With the affiliation it allows us to have players move up and down from junior B to junior A to get experience," Campbell said.
"As an organization we want to align ourselves with high class teams. We're trying to get our guys seen."
The whole process began late last year through an existing relationship Campbell had with the head coach and general manager in Mimico.
Already sharing similar philosophies on development and winning, it seemed like a perfect match.
Mimico possesses an older, experienced roster, Campbell said. With Cambridge returning much of their younger roster from a year ago, it should provide a nice compliment.
"They're going to be an older team with 21-year-olds going after a national championship," Campbell said.
"They finished in the top three last year and a good bulk of their team is returning. Our guys won't be thrust into spotlight right away if they get called up."
Another added incentive to being affiliated is players can play as many games as they want and be put on the playoff roster. Non-affiliated players that are called up are limited to seven games and can't play in the playoffs.
As for their own season, the Highlanders are in the midst of tryouts with 53 players registered for camp.
With plenty to build on from their first season, Campbell is looking forward to what his players can accomplish with a season under their belt.
"The majority of our lineup, minus three or four players, is coming back," he said.
"We're looking to be a better team, we’re older and have some nice adds that can contribute right away. We're retaining a good portion of our offence and I think it’ll be better than last year. We'll be putting an emphasis on defence."
Before the regular season starts they'll play a three-game exhibition tournament in St. Catharines against the host Athletics, Six Nations and Hamilton.
The Highlanders get the 2024 season underway with a four-game road trip beginning on April 26 in Elora.
They return to Galt Arena Gardens for their home opener on May 10 versus London.