Once again, the young prospects from the Ridge Meadows Burrards Minor Lacrosse Association dominated the draft into junior lacrosse.
Without a Junior A team in the largest minor lacrosse community in the province, teams from the BC Junior A Lacrosse League (BCJALL) always find elite talent from Ridge Meadows. This year, five of the eight first-round selections came from Ridge Meadows, as the draft was held on Saturday, Jan. 17.
The Langley Thunder had four draft picks in the first five, and they looked for players from just across the Golden Ears Bridge.
The Thunder made Liam Lockwood the first overall pick, and took Josiah Allen second overall.
“Liam is an elite two-way player with exceptional lacrosse IQ, vision, and competitiveness,” said Thunder general manager Ryan Williams. “He makes everyone around him better with his ability to distribute the ball, and when teams try to take that away, he has the skills and confidence to score himself. His awareness and anticipation also translate extremely well on the defensive side of the floor.”
“Liam is very well deserving of the top pick,” added Thunder head coach Matt Beers. “He’s one of those kids who can contribute on the back end as well as on offence. He comes from a very good family with a strong lacrosse lineage, and I expect him to come in and make an impact wherever he’s needed.”
The team said Allen is another high-end, two-way player who brings versatility, intelligence, and competitiveness every shift, with the ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor and on face-offs.
Next, Colton Craiggs from Ridge was taken third overall by the Port Coquitlam Saints. Jeremy Dybwad went to Langley with the fifth pick, and Kingston Hebner was drafted seventh overall by the Delta Islanders.
Langley said Dybwad adds a strong physical presence on the back end, along with excellent stick skills. He reads the play well and makes smart decisions, particularly in transition and on breakouts.
Other Burrards draft picks included:
• Jordan Gagnon and Quinn Hunter in the second round, both to the Islanders.
• E.J. Weber (Saints), Blake Hastings (New Westminster Salmonbellies) and Colton Teasdale (Coquitlam Adanacs) in the fourth round.
• Connor Twaites to Langley in the fifth round.
There were six rounds of the draft, and a total of 48 players selected.