Russ Heard will have his No. 9 jersey retired prior to the Western Lacrosse Association game between the Burnaby Lakers and the New Westminster Salmonbellies on Friday, July 5.
The Burnaby franchise, which Heard stoically supported for 13, mostly losing seasons, will retire his jersey number in a pre-game tribute to the future hall of famer.
Heard helped lead the Lakers to three of their four WLA playoff finals in his storied career.
He was one of the original Richmond Outlaws, which switched zip codes in the 1990s to become the Burnaby Lakers.
But perhaps unkindly, Heard never had an opportunity to experience a Mann Cup.
Burnaby's best-ever chance for a league title came in a Game 7 double overtime loss to the Coquitlam Adanacs back in 1993.
In that memorable journey to the '93 final, Heard marched the 12-12 Lakers past the Salmonbellies with a record-setting goal-scoring effort that still stands to this day.
In the seven-game semi-final series, Heard set five new WLA playoff records, scoring the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh-fastest goals ever, while also rewriting the record book with six goals in one playoff period.
Heard would not get another opportunity at a championship despite playing another seven seasons, including five more in Burnaby.
But the likeable 6-4 righthander put up career numbers that will one day place him in the hall of honour with other lacrosse greats.
In his 13-year senior A career, Heard stands 10th all-time with 646 assists in regular season play and his 1,021 points is in the company of the top-20 best players to ever play the game.
Heard is currently an assistant coach with the senior New Westminster Salmonbellies.
