Lacrosse New Brunswick names Evan Richtsfeld and Chet Koneczny Executive Director and Technical Director
“I’m beyond excited for this opportunity that Lacrosse New Brunswick has given me. I am extremely gracious for the chance to continue to help grow the game in this province to new heights” said Richtsfeld. “Lacrosse has been a huge part of my life. It has given me many opportunities to do things I never thought possible to do. When I moved to New Brunswick in 2012, I quickly realized that I needed to start giving back to the game that has done so much for me. I think the addition of Chet and myself has really started to reinvigorate the New Brunswick Lacrosse community and is a sign that we are moving in the right direction. I am eager to work with Chet, Chris, the rest of our board, and the New Brunswick community to help bring us success and growth the lacrosse community deserves here.”
Following a five-year junior career as a goaltender in British Columbia, Richtsfeld has worked hard to help grow the game of lacrosse in New Brunswick upon arriving in 2012. Richtsfeld originally moved to Fredericton, NB in 2012 to complete his undergraduate degree in Sport and Recreation studies with a focus in Sports Management at UNB. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree Richtsfeld continued his studies at UNB in the Kinesiology Master’s program. During this time, he has been involved in numerous different ways to help grow the game. This included founding the University of New Brunswick Buccaneers Lacrosse team in 2014, helping establish the Buccaneers Lacrosse youth organization in Fredericton, leading the first ever U18 Team NB field lacrosse team to Nationals as Head Coach in 2015, and coaching the New Brunswick Jr. A Mavericks organization.
Along with Richtsfeld Lacrosse New Brunswick named Chet Koneczny as their Technical Director. The former NLL pro is excited about coming on board at LNB “The motivation and enthusiasm of the LNB Board and community stakeholders to take lacrosse in the province to the next level was something that was really attractive me. I have a soft spot for people willing take on the challenges of developing the sport I love with relatively few resources when compared to the larger more established provinces, and I’m excited by the opportunity to help galvanize lacrosse in the province of New Brunswick.”
Koneczny has spent time playing with Toronto, Orlando, Washington and Colorado during his time in the NLL. Along with a successful pro career he spent time playing internationally. Chet was a member of the Czech Republic national team program and played in the 2010 and 2014 World Field Lacrosse Championships along with the 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. Following his professional career Koneczny returned to Nova Scotia, where he lived previously for 10 years, to take on a role with Lacrosse Nova Scotia as their Technical Director. During his time at Lacrosse Nova Scotia (LNS), Chet played a significant part in the growth and development of the game in Nova Scotia. A major highlight during Chet’s time with LNS included coaching the 2016 Nova Scotia midget lacrosse team who upset Team British Columbia, a perineal powerhouse, at Lacrosse Nationals that year.
“This is a relationship I hope to keep for years to come. I have family ties to the Maritimes, as well as some great friends and colleagues with the same desire to see lacrosse thrive out here. I see this as a pivotal juncture that will be looked upon with great pride as we continue to move lacrosse forward in New Brunswick. I’d like to take this time to thank LNB President Chris Gallop & New Brunswick lacrosse pioneer Randy Canning for leading me toward this opportunity. It was their visions that led me down this path.”
Koneczny and Richtsfeld will be the tasked with leading Lacrosse New Brunswick into the new year. Armed with a new vision of the LNB board their plans are to take significant steps to help continue to build the game of lacrosse in New Brunswick.