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In sports, playing on a team is all about being a part of one big family; Building brotherly bonds that help foster chemistry throughout the year in hopes that together you can reach the ultimate goal. Not too often though do those bonds mean as much as when you actually get to play with your own family.

The Sutter brothers of the NHL spent much of their careers playing on opposite teams. Jack Nicholaus has played many rounds with his son Steve and now they are helping the game grow as developers. Paul and Gary Gait could be the most famous lacrosse family ever to play the game. Fortunately they were able to play on the same team from minor lacrosse to their first few years in the old MILL.

Fast forward to 2000; during the early stages of the Victoria vs. Burnaby Junior A rivalry, and along comes a fresh faced 19 year-old. Who was he? Well he was the beginning of a long line of brothers that would carry the Lakers’ torch for 8 years; Milan Gajic. Now in the early Gajic years, not many people knew what to expect from him and were hoping that his love of hockey wouldn’t get in the way of his lacrosse career. Well it didn’t, for the time being, and he was able to help lead his team to three consecutive BCJLA titles as well as a Minto Cup.

This started the cycle of four, count ‘em four Gajic brothers- Milan, Nenad, Ilija and Alex, who would pull on the green and white of the Burnaby Lakers and help lead them to Western and Canadian Junior glory. They are born leaders, playing the game with class, sportsmanship and pure passion. They are not the biggest nor are they the dirtiest players on the floor; that’s not their style. The Gajic brothers play the game as it is meant to be played; with all out hustle and passion. All the while doing it with a Ric Flair-like swagger. They can be flashy at times, Alex Gajic is probably the slickest one of the family, but generally they just go out there, battle every shift for their brothers and do what it takes to win.

With the Mann Cup getting under way in two days, the Gajic family will now try and stake their claim to a Mann Cup trophy in hopes of starting a new dynasty in the Salmonbellies organization. I know brothers Milan and Alex will be cheering them on even if there might be a hint of brotherly envy. With their brothers in the stands supporting them and their brothers on the floor battling beside them, Nenad and Ilija are taking the next step to greatness. But that’s what they have been doing since they picked up their first lacrosse stick!

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