There’s an old proverb that says ‘Go with what you know.’
New Westminster Salmonbellies general manager Dan Richardson was eager to take that advice on Monday, swapping out a talented stick with an uncertain arrival for a sure thing.
When he wasn’t able to get a commitment from 2016 Western Lacrosse Association junior draft first rounder James Rahe, Richardson turned to plan B.
Instead, the Bellies dealt the rights to Rahe to Langley for New Westminster native
Anthony Malcom in a swap of righthanders.
“(Malcom) has electric speed, he’s a product of New West and at the (2015) draft he was a player we really liked,” said Richardson.
“We didn’t get a chance to draft Malcom, but we did (get him) with this trade.”
Rahe was taken fourth overall in 2016, after finishing a four-year career by winning the Minto Cup as a member of the Six Nations Arrows. He spent most of his junior career with the Langley junior program.
In 2015, Langley snapped up Malcom with the third overall choice and New West took fellow junior Bellie Luke Gillespie fourth.
To get Malcom in a red, blue and white jersey was a perfect solution to a potential holdout.
While Rahe, at 6-foot-4 and a skilled shooter, was a good draft pick, Richardson said the uncertainty of his joining the team created a hole on the right side. Malcom will more than fill that void, said the New West GM.
“(Malcom) excels where ever he goes,” said Richardson. “He’s doing very well as a rookie in Buffalo (in the National Lacrosse League), he was last year’s co-rookie of the year with (New West netminder Eric) Penney, and from what I hear his family is excited that he’s going to play in his own hometown.”
As a first-year senior with Langley, Malcom counted 26 goals and 23 assists in 18 games.
“This was a trade that made sense for both teams and both players involved in the deal," Langley GM Rob Buchan said in a press release. "It sends both players back to their local markets where they grew up playing. (Rahe) is a big body that can not only score, but is a premier playmaker as well.
“It’s very difficult to trade a player like Anthony. He has been a first class guy on and off the floor and his athleticism, speed, and work ethic will make him a premier WLA player for many years to come."
As it turns out, Richardson played with his father, Dean, in the late 1970s. Malcom’s uncle, Tony, was also a speedy forward in the WLA during the 1980s.
Neither of them had Anthony’s finish, Richardson said.
“Both Dean and Tony had tonnes of speed and were great team players, but they didn’t have the touch Anthony has,” he noted.
“He’s so fast and he’s got a great shot. He reminds me a bit of (former Bellies scorer) Jordan Hall.”
Richardson said the trade rounds out a busy but productive offseason, with action picking up next week when New West hosts Maple Ridge on Monday, 7:30 p.m. for an exhibition test.
The regular season starts up for New West on May 21 when they visit Coquitlam.
“I think even though we made the WLA finals last year we didn’t stand pat (this offseason). We feel we’re better, quicker with nine to 11 new faces in the lineup.”
