CHEK Upside: King brothers ready for 2022 Shamrocks season

CHEK

When Jesse and Marshal King were growing up, playing on the Shamrocks was their goal.

“I came to my first Shamrocks game when they were playing over at the Memorial Arena and I think ever since then, without knowing, you always wanted to play at this level,” says Jesse.

“Obviously I’ve idolized playing here, I’ve grown up playing minor in this arena for a decent amount of it and it’s just something that I’ve always strived towards achieving in my lacrosse career,” adds Marshal.

The Victoria born brothers are separated by five years, so when older brother Jesse got his first full time shot with the team in 2014, Marshal was watching from the stands. Then in 2019, Marshal finally got the chance to play a season for the Shamrocks and join his brother on the floor.

“Marshall was able to get traded to us from over on the mainland,” says Jesse.

“It was exciting for us and our parents were just beside themselves now that they could come out on a Friday night and watch us both play.”

The switch to the Shamrocks also made life easier for Marshal.

“I think if I had a different jersey on that the majority of the time it wouldn’t be like when you see parents with half and half jerseys,” laughs Marshal.

“It would just be Shamrocks jerseys and I’m just the odd one out, so I’m pretty happy that it ended up like this.”

Both brothers now play for the National Lacrosse League’s Calgary Roughnecks, fulfilling the brother’s other dream of playing professionally together.

“Especially for the NLL there’s so many teams you can kind of get taken wherever, so when I was drafted to Calgary I was obviously very excited,” says Marshal.

“You always picture these things happening and when they do happen it’s almost like ‘holy crap, we’re running around the same floor’,” says Jesse.

Heading into the 2022 Western Lacrosse League season, the Kings are ready to get back to playing in their hometown.

“When I get to look into the fan sections here and I see guys who I grew up playing lacrosse with, I see guys who coached for me when I was a young kid, [and] see all my family before games and after games,” says Marshal.

“So I’m just very excited.”

The Victoria Shamrocks kick off their first season since 2019 at home against the New Westminster Salmonbellies Friday May 27th.

Stream the Shamrocks’ home opener tonight at 8 p.m. on CHEK+.

Cole SorensonCole Sorenson

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