History

The evolution of the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League goes back further than some fans might realize. It is and continues to be argued, to the exact date when an official junior lacrosse league was formed in BC. There are many references from the 1930′s of players playing “junior” lacrosse with teams such as the Vancouver Province Bluebirds and the Richmond Farmers.

While the beginnings of the junior box lacrosse league continues to be argued, what cannot be argue is the official standings of the various versions of junior lacrosse that do remain.

There have been 5 variations of the League. But, always a continuation of junior lacrosse being played each year since 1959.

Inter-City Junior A Lacrosse League (1959-1969)
Junior A Lacrosse League (1970-1971)
Pacific Junior A Lacrosse League (1972-1974)
West Canada Major Junior Lacrosse League (1975-1982)
British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League (1983-Present)

Participating teams over those years have been:

1959 – New West Salmonbellies, Vancouver Lobbans, New Westminster Pastimes, Vancouver Bob Lee’s

1961 – North Burnaby Norburns and Vancouver Vindex entered, New Westminster Salmonbellies did not play

1962 – Victoria Shamrocks entered, South Vancouver Legion replaced Vancouver Lobbans, New Westminster Salmonbellies re-entered, and North Burnaby did not play

1963 – Chilliwack entered

1964 – Burnaby Cablevision entered, Chilliwack did not play

1965 – Coquitlam J-Hawks entered

1966 – Victoria Shamrocks did not play

1968 – Victoria Shamrocks re-entered

1970 – Vancouver Burrards replaced South Vancouver Legion, Victoria Shamrocks did not play

1971 – Richmond Roadrunners replaced Vancouver Burrards

1972 – New Westmister relocated to/as Surrey Salmonbellies, Victoria McDonald’s Bread joined

1975 – Surrey Salmonbellies folded relocated back to/as New Westminster Salmonbellies

1979 – Coquitlam J-Hawks re-named Coquitlam Adanacs, Victoria McDonald’s Bread moved to/as Esquimalt Legion

1980 – Esquimalt Legion re-named Victoria-Esquimalt Legion

1983 – Surrey Rebels entered, Victoria-Esquimalt Legion re-named Esquimalt Legion

1984 – Esquimalt Legion re-named Victoria Legion

1985 – Victoria Legion re-named Esquimalt Legion

1987 – Edmonton Outlaws joined

1988 – Edmonton Outlaws did not play

1989 – Surrey Rebels did not play

1990 – Burnaby Cablevision re-named Burnaby Lakers, Esquimalt Legion re-named Victoria-Esquimalt Legion, South Surrey Stickmen joined

1991 – Victoria-Esquimalt Legion re-named Victoria-Esquimalt Eagles

1992 – Victoria-Esquimalt Eagle re-named Victoria Eagle

1994 – Richmond Roadrunners did not play

1995 – Port Coquitlam Saints joined

2001 – Victoria Eagles re-named Victoria Shamrocks

2002 – Delta Islanders joined

2003 – South Surrey Stickmen re-named Surrey Stickmen

2005 – Nanaimo Timbermen joined

For additional information please visit our Wikipedia page here