As a pillar of Coquitlam’s lacrosse community, Geordie Dean is familiar with the confines of the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
But after this Friday, the main arena will feel a little more like home as the 55-year-old’s name and No. 5 jersey are raised to the rafters by the Coquitlam Jr. Adanacs.
The official ceremony will take place prior to the Jr. A’s last home game of the season, which starts at 7:30 p.m. on July 8, against the New Westminster Salmonbellies. The matchup is fitting, given that Dean was drafted from the Coquitlam junior A ranks into the WLA by the Bellies in 1982.
Dean, a Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse Association product, played 100 games over four seasons with the Jr. Adanacs and was named rookie of the year in 1978 and chosen for the all-star team every season he played.
He ended up recording a total of 378 career points and is still ranked 15th in the B.C. Junior ‘A’ Lacrosse League’s all-time scoring list.
Sadly for Adanacs fans, he was selected by New Westminster during the 1982 draft.
Dean was a powerhouse with the Bellies, playing in 53 Mann Cup games over nine series winning in 1986, 1989 and 1991. His record 67 goals in the Mann Cup series was eventually broken, but his record 94 assists in the Mann Cup still stands today.
As his career wound down, it was no surprise to anyone that Dean received the call to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. His 2003 induction cemented his position as one of the best two-way players to pick up a stick.
Meanwhile, the Coquitlam Jr. Adanacs are looking to close out their season on a winning note.
The club, which is currently 19-0 and firmly in control of first place in the league, has a road game against the Langley Jr. Thunder Thursday night before Friday’s bout with the Salmonbellies at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. Face off is at 7:30 p.m. For more information go to www.bcjall.com.
@gmckennaTC
