Former long-time New Westminster Salmonbellies captain Craig Stevenson still can't believe he's in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
The Ontario-born Stevenson was one of three Peterborough products, including veteran inductees Ron Jay and R.G. (Bob) Curtis, to be officially inducted into the hall of fame at the induction dinner in Burnaby on Nov. 17.
"It's a pretty amazing feat. But mostly I think about the guys I played with. I got to play with a lot of great players who helped me with this accomplishment," said Stevenson, who was inducted in the box player category.
Although, Stevenson never won a Mann Cup in his 17-year career, played mostly in New Westminster, he said he's never second-guessed his move out west. There he met his wife and raised a family.
As a junior in Peterborough, Stevenson won three Minto Cups, including a championship MVP in 1989 in final year.
He played three seasons with the senior club before being lured to the West Coast to play for the Salmonbellies.
"I still feel bad about leaving Peterborough, to be honest," said Stevenson, who described himself as a loyal team member. "I regret not winning (a Mann Cup), but I wouldn't let that take away from my career being a good one."
In the Western Lacrosse Association, Stevenson was named a league all-star four times and finished his career with the Salmonbellies in 2006 ranked 17th in all-time scoring.
Stevenson is currently ranked 18th among the top 50 all-time career playmakers in Canada senior A lacrosse with 743 assists " in league and playoff games. He finished his box lacrosse career with a total of 453 goals and 1,196 points.
One of the highlights of his career was garnering his 1,000th point in 2003, he said.
Stevenson is now coaching minor lacrosse with his son on the peewee Salmonbellies.
The New Westminster lacrosse club also placed current junior B general manager Murray Lehman into the hall as a builder.
Lehman began his long association with lacrosse as a bench official in the old Inter-City league.
His passion progressed into coaching and managing youth teams in Burnaby and New West, before he took the job as commissioner of the B.C. junior A league in 1981, which he held for nine seasons.
Lehman then held various administrative junior A positions with Coquitlam and New West, winning a Minto Cup with the '94 Salmonbellies.
Lehman also held a position on the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame board of governors, including chairman from 1994 to '99.
The 1928 New Westminster Salmonbellies team that won a gold medal as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam was named to the hall in the team category.
The Salmonbellie squad earned the right to represent Canada at the Games following its 10th straight Mann Cup in 1927.
With little financial support, the New West team had to play exhibitions at home and abroad to pay its way to and from the Games.
The Canadians were on the road for two months, compiling an overall record of 11-2, including their gold medal in Amsterdam.
The 1959 Brampton ABC Junior Excelsiors were also inducted in the team category.
Joining Stevenson in the box player category were NLL hall of famer Tom Marechek and Oshawa, Ont. pair Derek 'Jammer' Keeenan and Tom 'Slick' Wreggitt.
The induction dinner and ceremony was held at the Firefighters' Club in Metrotown.
