NLL Insider

New West and Denver Pioneers ball player, Ilija Gajic

NLL Insider spoke with New Westminster Salmonbellies GM Dan Richardson last night, asking the question every fan wants to know with the Mann Cup only a few short days away.

Will their NCAA talent be allowed to play for Canadian lacrosse’s holy grail?

For those not aware, the Bellies, who will kick-off Game 1 against the Brampton Excelsiors this Friday night at the Powerade Centre, have a handful of players currently on their team that are also still on lacrosse scholarships in the US.

Ilija Gajic and Cliff Smith go to Denver, Bobby Snider plays for Bellarmine and Jordan McBride will be entering his sophomore season at Stony Brook. All four have played major rolls for this year’s WLA champs. In fact, Gajic was just named the West’s playoff MVP.

Richardson told NLL Insider that the team is still working out details with the NCAA and is unable to identify which players will or will not be allowed to play in this year’s Mann Cup.

The New West GM did say however, “We will in no way whatsoever jeopardize any one of our college athlete’s scholarships in any way shape or form.”

The fear is that the NCAA could rule the player’s ineligible if they play in the Mann Cup. Although considered an amateur title north of the boarder, the NCAA has a slightly different opinion of what type of athlete plays in the best of seven series. NCAA athletes in any sport are not allowed to compete in what the athletic association deems a professional sport/environment.

Richardson went onto say, “We have depth in each position and if they are not able to play , our other guys will have to step up and take their place.”

The Bellies, who were without injured forward Craig Conn and NLL MVP Athan Iannucci this past season, have shown that steppin’ up and taking accountability for their play was a major theme within the squad this summer.

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