NLL Insider

In Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) action, Victoria looks to be back to its old form after an off year in 2007. The Victoria Shamrocks (4-0) and the New Westminster Salmonbellies (3-0) have both been perfect out of the gate.

Lewis Ratcliff (10g, 12a) is tearing it up. He now has 10 goals and 22 points in four games played and leads the league in scoring. Shamrock teammates Ryder Bateman (6g, 9a) and Kelly Hall (4g, 10a) also sit Top 4 in league scoring, while Tyler Heavenor (5g, 3a) sits fourth in team scoring.

Ratcliff, now of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Toronto Rock, is the marquee name you know. He’s been a top the scoring list in the pro ranks the last few consecutive years, finishing tied for second in NLL scoring last season, after Top 5 finishes in both 2006 and 2007. 

Hall, of the NLL Calgary Roughnecks has also been a steady performer. In 2005, he actually led the NLL in powerplay goals. This season Hall finished with 40 total points as Calgary advanced to the Western Division title game.

Bateman and Heavenor, on the other hand, sat out the last NLL season when Portland decided to go a different direction with their line-up. The two local products will be key guys to watch this year.

“It happens,” said Bateman on the NLL situation. “I’ve got to move on. I didn’t get down on myself this year about being released. It’s not because of my play it’s more about politics.”

“You’re more cohesive as a team, I think, playing with guys you know,” added Bateman about playing this summer back in Victoria with local players he grew up competing with.

Victoria captured the Mann Cup most recently in 2003 and 2005. Bateman was a member of both of those teams and Tyler Heavenor was there in 2005. The Rock will be looking to get back to the Mann Cup championship again this year.

NLL All-Star Nick Patterson (.87 SV%), of the NLL Minnesota Swarm, is the starter in Victoria. Chris McKay, also of the NLL Edmonton Rush / NLL Arizona Sting (stay tuned), captains the defensive end.

New West (3-0) has been led early this season by rookie goaltender Tyler Richards (.87 SV%) and forward Jordan McBride (5g, 8a). The Salmonbellies will also welcome back youngster Jordan Hall, of the NLL New York Titans, after he finishes MLL field commitments.

New West also features Chris Gill (5g, 7a) and Nenad Gajic (1g, 5a) of the NLL Colorado Mammoth, among other pro players. However, they will likely be without 2008 NLL MVP Athan Iannucci, and Craig Conn who continues to deal with his knee injury.

Other big names not in the WLA this year include Colin Doyle, who played last season for the Adanacs, and Dan Dawson, who suited up with Victoria. Both of those guys will be with Brampton in the Major Series League (MSL).

The Salmonbellies finished first during the regular season last year, and defeated Nanaimo in the post-season before bowing out in four straight games to the Coquitlam Adanacs. Coquitlam represented the West at the Mann Cup last year, and they will again be strong this season. 

Coquitlam (2-1) is third out West, and rookie Dane Dobbie (8g, 5a) is leading the Adanacs in scoring. Selected No. 4 overall in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft, Dobbie sat the majority of the season in Calgary, but their franchise hopes he’ll make an impact in the pro ranks as early as next season.

“Coquitlam’s got a lot of talented offensive players that are real good NLL players. I’m learning every time I go out there and it’s awesome,” added Dobbie. “I’d like to have a good summer. It’s definitely a start.”

Around the rest of the WLA, Langley (1-1) and Maple Ridge (1-3) have captured wins while Burnaby (0-3) and Nanaimo (0-3) remain winless.

Check back every Wednesday for a closer look at WLA action, league scoring leaders and standings.

An All-America at Simon Fraser and a decorated Jr. A player for Coquitlam, Kojima began covering lacrosse in 2003 and started working for Inside Lacrosse in 2007. Email him at steve.kojima@nllinsider.com or go to www.laxfuj.com .

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