Rocky Mountain View: Mitch Bannister on Culture, Legacy and Building Alberta Lacrosse

<p>As Raiders LC prepare to host the 2026 Minto Cup, Head Coach Mitch Bannister joins Coaches Calls to discuss his journey through the game and the evolution of lacrosse in Alberta.</p><p>Growing up around the Calgary Roughnecks, Bannister was exposed to some of the game&#39;s greatest players and coaches at an early age as dad Brad Bannister owned the Roughnecks and brought the NLL to the province. Now, he&#39;s helping lead a new generation of athletes while chasing a national championship on home floor at the Max Bell Centre.</p><p>Mitch shares how Alberta lacrosse has transformed from a blue-collar underdog to a legitimate contender on the national stage, why coaching development is critical to the province&#39;s continued growth, and what makes Alberta players unique when they reach the National Lacrosse League.</p><p>We also dive into the Raiders&#39; culture, the lessons learned from last year&#39;s Minto Cup appearance, the challenge of preparing for a national championship, and why competition, accountability and passion remain at the core of everything they do.</p><p>Follow Coaches Calls for more conversations with the leaders, innovators and builders shaping the game of lacrosse.</p><p>Past episodes referenced with:</p><p>Andrew McBride --&gt; https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/217xzCoPc5b</p><p>Brett Hickey --&gt; https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/7yCMZenPc5b</p>