The graduation of key components like goaltender Christian Del Bianco and defender Ryland Rees means the beginning of a new chapter for the Coquitlam Jr. Adanacs.
But the team’s general manager, Scott Wortley, hopes the story of the coming BC Junior A Lacrosse League season will end the same.
Del Bianco and Rees were selected first and second overall in February’s Western Lacrosse Association draft after they led the Jr. Adanacs to their second Minto Cup national championship in three years last August. And while Wortley concedes their absence leaves a huge hole in the team’s lineup, the mantle of sound defensive lacrosse preached by coach Pat Coyle will be capably picked up by their successors, including former backup keeper, Nate Faccin.
“He’s ready to step in,” said Wortley of the third-year shotstopper who won all six of the games he started last season.
Faccin’s transition to the starting job will be eased by the return of 13 regulars from last season along with a handful of players who had a swig of Gatorade with the team to fill in for injured or absent veterans. New faces include Dawson Rodin, whom the Adanacs acquired from the Burnaby Lakers in the off-season, and Connor Evers, who comes from the Delta Islanders.
Wortley said Rodin brings size to the Adanacs’ right side, while Evers was a former top pick in the BCJALL draft.
“With them your experience level goes right up,” Wortley said.
As well, Reid Bowering will be back for his third season as the team’s captain to provide quiet leadership to its younger players.
Still, expectations remain high for the Adanacs, who’ve lost a total of four games over the past four regular seasons. And no more so than from the team’s own players and management.
“You don’t want to be part of the team that stops the run we’ve had,” Wortley said.
