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Veltman has stepped down from his coaching role with the MSL's A-P Rock. (Photo: Abel Images)

Insider has confirmed with Ajax-Pickering Rock GM Paul St. John that A-P Head Coach Jim Veltman, who served as the team’s bench boss this past summer during their expansion season in the Major Series Lacrosse loop, has officially stepped down in recent weeks, St. John telling Insider that the former Toronto Rock captain and box lacrosse legend wants to be able to coach his two young children and spend more time with his family during the summer months. “Jim spent endless amounts of time these past three years in his coaching role, the last two spent as head coach,” said St. John.

“He especially worked hard this past summer on and off the floor, ran great practices, was very well prepared for games, film sessions, meetings, charts, you name it, Jim brought it. He will be missed as the team looked up to him and we were able to stay close in most games we played because of all his hard work and preparation, especially pulling off the huge 14-13 win over Brampton, our biggest win of the year.”

During their first summer in the MSL, the Rock finished with a 3-13 record, a point shy of qualifying for the post-season, a team led by a young cast of up-and-coming pro prospects like Jesse Guerin, Jason Mainer, Alex Henderson, Jordan Coffey and Kiel Donahue.

“As disappointed as I am to lose Jim as our head coach, especially after a really good expansion year, I fully understand his reason to walk away now while his children are young,” added St. John. “ Jim has always thought things through before making decisions and I know from talking to him this is one of the biggest he’s had to make, one we both feel comfortable is the right decision at this time in his life.”

With Veltman’s departure St. John tells Insider that the team is currently looking for head coaching candidates, “who feel qualified to take on the challenge of coaching at the highest level in lacrosse outside of the NLL,” preferably those with Junior, Major or NLL coaching experience. Interested candidates can email the Rock GM at pstjohn@grosnor.com.

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