But the underage netminder doesn't seem intent on taking the scenic route when it comes to development.

Joining big brother Ryan on the nearby Mississauga Tomahawks this year, Gavin has already found himself between the pipes twice -- and may well have cleared that all-important first hurdle with respect to rookie growing pains.

Thrown back into action just two nights after an impromptu and rather tough debut against the powerhouse Green Gaels -- replacing veteran Jeremy Smith late in the second period of an eventual 13-3 loss -- he delivered a rock-solid complete-game effort in Mississauga's best bid for victory thus far.

While certainly heartbreaking, Saturday's 6-5 defeat in Barrie could no doubt be looked upon as a building block performance for the young back-up.

"There was a couple of goals I should have had back in that first game, but I'm not one to let that bother me too much. I'm able to shake it off," said Gavin, who won't turn 16 until the fall and is set to try out for the provincial midget squad next weekend.

That poise beyond his years is part of why he'd made the jump to Jr. B rather than returning to the midget ranks for another year.

"I'm not too worried about Gavin getting discouraged by a few early bumps. He tends to take things in stride," remarked Tomahawks head coach and GM Jim Meagher, who coached the younger Lecky in Under-16 field lacrosse in Mimico. "Plus Gavin is a hard worker and just a good goalie."

Having his kid brother guarding the cage -- at least at times -- could serve as even more motivation for 19-year-old Ryan, a holdover from the club's 2006 lineup in Milton, who's developing into a credible defensive specialist.

"Yeah I guess it'll be added incentive (having Gavin in net)," suggested the older Lecky, who Meagher says has become a quiet leader since his early days in Milton. "With a young goalie you want to help him out as much as possible."

Not only have the Leckys shown the being from a 'C' centre doesn't necessarily squash one's chances for junior lacrosse, they're also among a select few local siblings in recent memory who've played together on the same junior team.

The most notable names on that list are Jeff and Darren Haydar, who this time 10 years ago were packing their bags for the Tier 2 Jr. A nationals in Nanaimo, B.C. after leading the Merchants (now the IceHawks) to the all-Ontario championship.

With a still young Mississauga club sitting at 0-4, the Leckys won't be enjoying anywhere near that type of success this season. In fact they'll be quite content to equal -- or slightly improve on -- last year's 8-11 record, which was a huge leap forward after a dismal 1-19 showing in '06.

Said Ryan, "It's going to be tough to improve on last year, but I think it's possible. We've just got to work hard and get our offence going."