Meet Owen Fess — the Caledonia lacrosse player heading to McGill

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Meet Owen Fess. He's 19, from Caledonia, and he plays defence for Team Ontario's U19 field squad, the Kitchener Kodiaks, and the Hamilton Bengals. Owen started out chasing hockey fitness and ended up finding his real game. This fall he's headed to McGill University to keep playing lacrosse at the next level. Here's his story.

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His Story

Owen picked up box lacrosse around age 9, and it started as a way to stay in shape for hockey over the summer. It didn't take long to figure out he was better at lacrosse than hockey. Field lacrosse came later, in grade 10, after some friends he played box against kept telling him to come try it out. He fell in love with the field game, and now he's headed to school to keep playing it.

Owen has a few proud moments to choose from. Getting drafted 14th overall to the Kitchener Kodiaks in the 2024 OJLL draft is one. Three-peating the high school OFSAA lacrosse gold medal is another. And being named a team captain at the 2025 U19 field nationals with Team Ontario, where he finished the tournament ranked a top 3 defence, tops the list.

The coach who shaped him most is Corey Stringer, his minor lacrosse coach for his entire minor career. Stringer gave Owen the C on his jersey in his final U17 year, the year that led to his OJLL draft. He also credits his high school coaches, Delby Powless and Jason Johnson, for opening the gates to field lacrosse and teaching him the game from the ground up.

What's Next

Owen's goal is simple: play lacrosse for as long as possible. He's attending McGill University this fall, where he'll suit up for their lacrosse team and chase a Baggataway Cup. On the box side, the goal is a Minto Cup.

Off the floor, Owen plans to graduate McGill with a Bachelor's in Phys. Ed. From there, he wants to open his own clinic and become a chiropractor. He's also hoping to coach lacrosse in his community down the road.

Who He's Thanking

Owen is thanking his parents, Jenn and Dave Fess, for the driving, the costs, and the unconditional support that got him here. He's also giving a shoutout to his siblings, Allie and Austin Fess, and his girlfriend, Keelie Jepson. As Owen put it, he wouldn't be where he is without any of them.

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