Highly Accomplished Box Lacrosse Coaches and Former Players to Lead Evaluations
ORLANDO, FL – The American Box Lacrosse League (ABLL) today announced that lacrosse legends Darris Kilgour and Stew Monture have been named head coaches and scouts for the league’s inaugural invite-only player combine, scheduled for November 21–22 at the Mary C. Winder Community Center in Oneida, New York.
The two highly respected lacrosse professionals bring decades of experience at the professional, senior, junior, and international levels, including extensive playing and coaching in the box lacrosse game.
“We are extremely excited to have Darris and Stew leading our coaching and scouting efforts for the inaugural ABLL combine,” said George Manias, Co-Founder and President and Chief Operating Officer of the ABLL. “Both understand the box game at the highest level and have an incredible ability to identify talent, teach the game, and develop players. Their experience and knowledge will be invaluable as we build our first player pool and establish the culture of the league.”
Kilgour brings one of the most accomplished résumés in professional box lacrosse to the ABLL. A former professional player and coach, Kilgour spent eight seasons with the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), helping the franchise capture three championships. He later played for the Rochester Knighthawks and Albany Attack.
During his playing career, Kilgour established himself as one of the most respected players in the history of the NLL. He remains the Buffalo Bandits’ all-time leader in penalty minutes and faceoffs, and his No. 43 jersey was retired by the organization in 2001, making him the first player in NLL history to have his number retired by a team. Kilgour was inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame in 2007.
In 1994, Kilgour was a member of the Six Nations Chiefs and was awarded the Mike Kelly Memorial Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the Mann Cup competition.
His coaching career has been equally distinguished. Kilgour served as an assistant coach at Canisius University before returning to the NLL as head coach of the Washington Power. He later returned to Buffalo as the Bandits’ head coach, where he led the club to numerous playoff appearances and was named NLL Coach of the Year in 2003. During his tenure as a head coach in the NLL, Kilgour became one of the league’s all-time leaders in career wins.
Following his stint in the NLL, Kilgour became head coach of the Seneca WarChiefs, where he continues to coach junior box lacrosse.
“Having the opportunity to work with the ABLL and evaluate players who want to take their game to the next level is something I am really looking forward to,” said Kilgour. “There is a tremendous amount of lacrosse talent in the United States, and this league can provide an important opportunity for players to develop their box lacrosse skills and compete at the highest level.”
Like Kilgour, Monture brings experience as a player, coach, and international lacrosse leader to the ABLL, with a career spanning across junior, senior, professional, and international box lacrosse.
Collegiately, Monture helped the Herkimer Generals capture the 2003 NJCAA National Championship. During the championship game, he scored 10 goals, establishing an NJCAA record for goals in a national championship game. Monture also spent time playing for the Six Nations Arrows and Six Nations Chiefs.
From 2007-2010, and again in 2012, he coached the Six Nations Rebels, leading the organization to Founders Cup championships in 2007, 2008, and 2012. He also coached the Ohsweken Demons, helping capture the 2011 Creator’s Cup.
Monture went on to coach the Six Nations Rivermen of the OLA Senior B Lacrosse League from 2013-2019. Under his leadership, the Rivermen captured Presidents Cup national championships in 2015 and 2019. Monture returned to the Six Nations Arrows in 2022, continuing his work developing young box lacrosse players.
Monture has also represented the Haudenosaunee Nationals at the international level, participating in World Championship competition in 2011, 2019 and 2024.
His professional coaching experience includes serving as Offensive Coordinator for the Halifax Thunderbirds of the NLL from 2022-2026.
“I’m excited to be part of what the ABLL is building,” said Monture. “There are a lot of players in the United States who have the ability and desire to play box lacrosse at a high level. The combine will give us an opportunity to identify those players, work with them, and help them understand what it takes to compete in the indoor game.”
Kilgour and Monture will work alongside Ron Cogan, ABLL Director of Lacrosse Operations, and will be responsible for evaluating invited players as the ABLL begins assembling its player pool.
“Darris and Stew bring an incredible level of experience to this process,” said Cogan. “They have played and coached at the highest levels of the game, and they understand what separates a good player from someone who can compete at the professional level. Their ability to evaluate, teach, and develop players will be extremely important as we establish the ABLL’s first player pool.”
Invited players for the November combine will participate in evaluations, practices and competitive scrimmages designed to showcase their individual skills, lacrosse IQ, athleticism, competitiveness and ability to perform in the fast-paced indoor game.
Following the combine, selected players will be placed into the ABLL’s inaugural player pool and drafted onto four teams that will compete in the league’s inaugural 2027 Barnstorming Showcase Tour beginning in January.
“This is more than simply finding players,” Manias added. “We are building the foundation of a professional American box lacrosse league. Darris, Stew, and Ron understand the game and player development, and bring a wealth of knowledge to the league. Having them leading this process gives us an outstanding foundation as we identify the players who will become the first members of the ABLL player pool.”
About the American Box Lacrosse League
The American Box Lacrosse League is a United States-based professional box lacrosse developmental league created to provide players and coaches with opportunities to develop their skills and pursue advancement within the sport.
Founded by sports industry professionals George Manias and Steve Donner, and developed by experienced sports-business advisory groups, the ABLL was established to accelerate the growth of professional box lacrosse in the United States through player development, market expansion, and long-term league sustainability, beginning in January 2027.
For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, player information or additional information about the American Box Lacrosse League:
American Box Lacrosse League
Email: Info@TheAbll.com
Phone#: 866-708-LAXX (5299)
Website: www.TheAmericanBoxLacrosseLeague.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/OfficialABLL
Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube: @OfficialABLL
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