NANAIMO — There are 15 members of the 2022 WLA Timbermen on National Lacrosse League rosters to start the new season.
Two full time Junior Timbermen are suiting up in the winter pro league and when you add in Tmen draft picks and players who are still Nanaimo property, the NLL contingent runs into the twenties.
Timbermen president Chris Bowman said many players from this past WLA season had a goal of playing in the NLL this winter.
“This is the most we’ve ever had. I remember when we took over six years ago we had one or two players playing in the league. The talent we have here is starting to show through. It’s like we’re proud dads to see these guys getting to that next level.”
Bowman said he’s able to keep tabs on his players who are scattered throughout North America.
“The great part with the NLL growing and starting to expand is you can watch almost every game online now. This weekend I was talking to (assistant coach) Jon Nicholson and we were both watching two or three games at the same time to watch our guys play.”
Albany and Las Vegas have the most Timbermen on their rosters with three each.
Glenn Clark, Nanaimo’s Junior A coach, is the bench boss in Albany and he has Junior Tmen goalie Justin Geddie as well as Senior A players Hiana Thompson and Brent Mitchell in the fold.
Jon Phillips, Tyson Roe and Conrad Chapman are playing in Las Vegas in the first year of the new Desert Dogs franchise.
Georgia, Toronto and Panther City each have two players who suited up for Nanaimo’s WLA team in 2022.
Bowman said preparations for the 2023 Nanaimo lacrosse season are well underway with securing Frank Crane Arena dates, finding housing for the players and the WLA draft in February.
“Our program is very reliant on the draft. We’ve built our program through the draft. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure we get the players who are the right fit to join the Timbermen.”
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