The Burnaby Lakers looked all over Metro Vancouver to add young talent to its swamp.
The team selected seven new members of its BC Junior "A'" Lacrosse League team from the 2024 under-17 draft last Saturday, Jan. 13.
Ryan Sheldrake was the Lakers' first pick, hearing his name called fourth overall and was on hand at the Langley Events Centre for the occasion.
The lefty currently a member of Fusion West field lacrosse development program as a midfielder and has played Tier 1 for the Abbotsford Warriors minor club.
"Ryan has always been an exemplary player and never once complained about playing with a club that wasn’t Tier 1," a social media statement reads from the association.
"Ryan always took pride in being a leader and mentor on any team he played with."
Burnaby also selected Alexander Cartwright of Vancouver in the first round in the seventh spot.
The right-handed defender, like Sheldrake, also develops his game with Fusion West lacrosse and currently attends Templeton High School.
The rest of the Lakers' 2024 BCJALL Draft picks were as follows:
- Max Larsen (Surrey)
- Second round, 12th overall
- Kaden Urquhart (Maple Ridge)
- Third round, 20th overall
- Michael Hibbert (White Rock)
- Fourth round, 25th overall
- Deon Gonzales (Maple Ridge)
- Sixth round, 43rd overall
- Xander Dong (Vancouver)
- Sixth round, 44th overall
Last year, Burnaby fell short of a playoff spot with a fifth place finish in the 2023 eight-team season standings and a record of 9-12.
The schedule for the 2024 season will be announced in the coming weeks, the BCJALL said.
