Season Preview: Burnaby Lakers

A team that has been in transition for the past few years finally looks ready to compete on a nightly basis. 

It wasn’t a great end to last year for the Burnaby Lakers, who were even forced to forfeit a game. Nevertheless, the team has kept building through the draft and acquisitions like trades and free agent signings. In the process, they’ve collected a pretty solid assortment of talent. They may be an underrated group to watch this season. 

By the numbers

30% - A dismal power play must be improved if Burnaby has any chance of competing for a playoff spot. You need to make teams pay for playing undisciplined lacrosse and there’s no better way to do than with the man advantage. Leading power play scorers included Danny Spagnuolo (7), who has now graduated, and Mason Pomeroy (5). 

42% - Burnaby also struggled in the faceoff dot, winning 190 of 456 faceoffs. But one of the players who did really well in the dot last year was Matt Mason, who was acquired earlier this week from New West. He went 11-1 against Port Coquitlam in his only BCJALL action with the Lakers last year. Could be the missing piece there? 

00 - A new acquisition in net may prove to bode well for the Lakers over the next few years. Elijah Uema-Martin is foregoing his second year of Intermediate and has signed with Burnaby. Uema-Martin was considered a viable candidate to replace Christian Del Bianco when he leaves Coquitlam, but decided to go for immediate playing time. He’ll fill a capable backup role behind starter Graham Husick, and may even push for the starting job in due time. 

New scoring threats

Compared to previous seasons, Burnaby has a boatload of talent who can put the ball in the net. Beyond drafting some intriguing prospects, they are expecting a jump from some of their in-house players. 

They could get that from Mason Pomeroy and Kurtis Shum. The two looked really solid in Burnaby’s surprise 10-6 season opening win over the Shamrocks in Victoria. Pomeroy was a goal-a-game player and can be expected to fill the net a little bit more, while Shum also provides the Lakers with some speed and shooting. 

Combined with the return of guys like Jordan Gabriele and Kyle Heiling, it can be expected that there will be a little more secondary scoring happening in the swamp this year.

Changing the culture

Head coach Jason Dellavalle knows he has a ton of work to do in turning this club around. Forfeits are never fun, and does damage to both the club and the league. But talking with Dellavalle, it appears that won’t be too much of a problem this year.

He’s got an energy that hopefully grabs the players and inspires them to a quality first season under his guidance. The front office there has done a good job making Burnaby an attractive place to play again, and more kids seem open to the idea of playing there. 

This season might feature more growing pains, but if they can ride it out, their club will be better for it in the long run.

Prediction: 4-17, 7th place