They knew going in the big names would be off the board long before they’d get to the microphone.
But the New Westminster Salmonbellies still exited last week’s Western Lacrosse Association junior draft with a couple of good catches, players they believe will help in the battle to build on last year’s Mann Cup run.
They also snagged a talented faceoff specialist in an earlier free agent signing – but more on that later.
New West used the 19th pick overall on righthander Nick Jensen, a six-foot-two Richmond native who toiled for both Delta and Coquitlam in the junior A circuit last season.
Although his junior numbers reflect a role player, Jensen has the make-up and skills that can work within the team’s strong framework, New West general manager Dan Richardson said.
“We like him. He was one of a few guys we thought could fall to us,” said Richardson. “He’s got some size and moves the ball up the floor well. Logan (Schuss) coached him and gave us good feedback on him.”
Jensen tallied two goals and nine assists over 12 games in his graduating year. Over eight playoff games with the Minto Cup-bound Adanacs, he netted five goals in eight games.
His role and production grew in the postseason, where Jensen counted 10 goals in 20 games over three years of playoff action.
The ’Bellies didn’t have their own first pick, having surrendered that in the deal a year ago that brought in Brett Mydske, Joel McCready and Nathan Stewart.
That cost them the fifth pick overall, the spot where Langley grabbed Coquitlam native Eli Salama, who Richardson said was in their crosshairs as well, and plays a similar game as Jensen.
Not having selections in the first two rounds wasn’t as tough a predicament as many theorize, since the draft was seen as top heavy, with New West natives Connor Robinson and Drew Belgrave expected to be long gone before the senior ’Bellies pick.
Robinson, a two-time junior league MVP, was tapped first overall by Langley, while Belgrave, who like Robinson played with the senior squad during last year’s Mann Cup and is currently a rookie with the National Lacrosse League’s Toronto Rock, was scooped up by Nanaimo with the third pick. Coquitlam selected Sam deGroot with the second choice.
Idle until that 19th selection meant they could only watch and cross their fingers. Richardson said they felt confident that they’d get a couple of players at least from their top-15 list.
“I don’t think you need to be much of a historian to know that we have a good track record finding diamonds in the fourth and fifth rounds,” added Richardson. “You need to have strong leadership, good character kids who listen to them, and the time to learn the league.”
With the first pick in the fourth round, New West scooped up local boy Jordan McKenzie, a right-side defender who chipped in three goals in 16 regular season games. He is currently attending Marquette University on a scholarship. The club’s next three picks also came from the junior ’Bellies ranks: Nick Chaykowski (26th), Mitch Stokes (33rd) and Colton Bykowsky (40th).
Richardson said both Chaykowski and Bykowsky were selected with an eye on them joining the roster in a couple of years.
Bykowsky notched 23 goals in 20 games in his second season in New West colours, while Chaykowski contributed eight goals in four junior games this past season.
Stokes, at six-feet tall and 175-pounds, is someone who Richardson projects as a versatile depth player.
New West wrapped up the draft by selecting Coquitlam’s Jared Pozzobon and former jr. ’Bellie Mitch Flintoff.
As to addressing specific needs, Richardson said one area the new coaching staff asked for reinforcements was acquired a week earlier when he signed free agent Tyrell Hamer-Jackson.
A 2015 second-team junior all-star, Hamer-Jackson was taken 24th overall by Maple Ridge in 2017, but got his release last year to play senior B. A whiz in the faceoff circle, the New West native is expected to take more of the draws and freeing up Mike Messenger for a larger role on the floor.
“Our coaches coming in wanted a face-off specialist, and (Hamer-Jackson) was available. (Maple Ridge) were hoping to get him back but he was a free agent. I told (Tyrell) that if he wants to go to the NLL, who are adding two teams in the next few years, he has to build his game.
“You can’t make it to the NLL just as faceoff guy. He’s going to get an opportunity to develop his game around the floor. (Hamer-Jackson) is the type of guy you hate to play, because he’s an agitator.”
New West will open the regular season May 24 when they host Maple Ridge at Queen’s Park.
