The New Westminster Salmonbellies and the Burnaby Lakers have finalized a five-player trade involving some snipers.
The Salmonbellies have acquired forward Tyler Pace and defender Patrick Shoemay in exchange for Keegan Bal, Tyson Kirkness, and Isaac Richmond. A news release from the Salmonbellies said Bal and Pace are recognized offensive stars in the National Lacrosse League but neither competed in the Western Lacross Association last season.
“This is one of the biggest trades in the WLA in recent years,” Salmonbellies president and general manager Ray Porcellato said in a news release. “It’s incredibly tough to part with a cornerstone player like Keegan Bal and young talent like Tyson and Isaac, but we loved the chemistry Patrick brought to our roster during our Mann Cup run in 2023, and we know Pace is a proven offensive leader.”
Bal, a former Junior Salmonbellie, was part of the squad that battled the Six Nations Chiefs in the five-game Mann Cup series in 2023. As of Feb. 7, Bal led the Vancouver Warriors in goals (17), assists (22) and points (39).
Porcellato said the move reunites Pace with his fellow Calgary Roughnecks’ teammate Haiden Dickson, giving the right-handed offensive duo a chance to build on their NLL chemistry this summer.
Dickson did not suit up for the Salmonbellies during the 2024 box season, opting to play Senior B for the Ladner Pioneers.
“We’re excited to see them on the floor together,” Porcellato said. “You can’t put a price on chemistry.”
Pace, who played NCAA lacrosse in Denver, was drafted by the Calgary Roughnecks in the 2017 NLL entry draft.
Last summer, Pace played Senior B lacrosse with Ladner, where he helped lead the Pioneers to their third straight President’s Cup under the guidance Chris Hackel. (Hackle, who was recently named the Salmonbellies Assistant general manager, played 21 seasons in the Western Lacrosse Association, including the 2003 and 2004 seasons with the Salmonbellies.)
In the 2023-24 National Lacrosse League season, Pace tallied 24 goals, 50 assists, and 39 loose balls with the Roughnecks.
“He’s accustomed to playing in high-powered offences under elite coaching,” Porcellato said. “He moves the ball well, scores in multiple ways, and understands what it takes to win championships.”
Shoemay returns
Shoemay, a core member of the NLL San Diego Seals’ defence, has yet to see action in 2024-25 but Porcellato said he had a standout 2023-24 season, recording 116 loose balls, 16 caused turnovers, and 14 blocked shots.
“He was a major factor for us when we acquired him in 2023, and it was tough to see him return to Burnaby under the terms of that deal,” Porcellato said. “Quite frankly, we felt he belonged in a Salmonbellies uniform, and it’s great to have him back for good.”
In March 2023, the Salmonbellies acquired Shoemay for the 2023 season as part of a three-player deal with the Lakers. Like then, the Salmonbellies have once again secured Shoemay’s WLA playing rights for one season.
Porcellato said the trade provides Isaac Richmond with the opportunity to play alongside his younger brother, Silas Richmond, who was selected first overall by the Lakers in the recent WLA draft. While he’s excited about the incoming talent, Porcellato thanked the departing players for their contributions to the team.
“We pride ourselves on fostering a family atmosphere, which makes saying goodbye difficult,” he said. “Keegan, Tyson, and Isaac poured their hearts into this team, and we can’t thank them enough for their contributions.”
