Christian Del Bianco is going out on top.
The goalie for the Coquitlam Jr. Adanacs, who’s expected to be a top pick in this winter’s Western Lacrosse Association draft, is capping his junior career with four of the BC Junior A Lacrosse League’s five individual player awards.
On Tuesday, Del Bianco was named the league’s most valuable player, top goaltender, top graduating player, as well as the recipient of the Bob Reid memorial award for outstanding achievement. In fact, the only award he didn’t win was the league’s scoring title, although his 10 assists was second only to Langley Thunder keeper Torin Vanrheenen, who got 12 helpers.
Del Bianco led all BCJALL goalies in goals against average (5.60) and save percentage (.856).
The recognition for Del Bianco’s achievements in the regular season are in addition to the award he already won as the most valuable player in the BCJALL finals where he backstopped the Adanacs to the championship in six games over the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Del Bianco and his Adanacs’ teammates start their quest for junior lacrosse’s ultimate award, the Minto Cup national championship, tonight (Thursday) in Calgary.
• The Adanacs’ executive team of Scott Wortley, James Abbott and Lance Hofseth were also recognized by the BCJALL for their contributions to building the team’s success. They won the Harry Ferguson memorial award as the league’s executives of the year.
Pace is ace
Coquitlam's Tyler Pace, who played his junior lacrosse in Port Coquitlam, has been named the Western Lacrosse Association's rookie of the year. The 23-year-old right-handed forward led the Langley Rivermen in scoring last season with 65 points.
Pace was the league's first overall selection in the 2017 draft, but he only played one game that season.
