Aged up rookie righthander Tyler Vogrig had a real coming-of-age start to his B.C. junior A lacrosse career.
The 18-year-old first overall draft pick of the Burnaby Lakers was a breath of fresh air after last season’s 1-20-0 finish.
The freshman talent finished 10th in B.C. league scoring and was sixth overall in points per game average following a 33-goal, 67-point debut in junior A.
“I came here to make a difference,” said Vogrig, “and the coaches here are helping me make that difference.”
All-tournament in debut
Grade 9 Burnaby Central student Emma Regan was named an all-tournament all-star following Canada’s national team title win at the inaugural CONCACAF under-15 girls’ soccer championships in the Cayman Islands in August.
The 14-year-old converted Mountain United FC midfielder was moved to the back line and became a stalwart on defence, starting in five of Canada’s six games, including a 4-1 shootout win over Haiti in the championship final.
“Every game I think I got better,” said Regan. “It’s a great experience to represent Canada. If I can do it again, I will, of course.”
New skaters on the block
Brianna Delmaestro and Timothy Lum of Burnaby posted the best Canadian junior ice dance score in 2014 following a gold-medal performance at the Skate Canada Challenge in December.
The newest Champs International Skating Centre pair posted a best-ever 141.64 points at Skate Canada, bettering their previous personal best – achieved in a silver-medal performance at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovenia in September – by more than 10 points.
“(Timothy) definitely brings a lot of energy to our sessions,” said Delmaestro. “It makes things fun.”
A soccer career ahead of him
Young soccer talent Damiano Pecile of Burnaby got a huge boost in his career, earning a tryout invitation with AC Milan in August.
The 12-year-old midfielder helped the Burnaby Selects under-13 Metro league team win a provincial team title, while also representing Canada on Team West at the Danone Nations Cup world final in Sao Paulo, Brazil in November.
“It’s like a dream come true, going to Brazil and respresenting Canada and playing in front of thousands of fans,” Pecile said.
No surprise here
Canadian national team star Christine Sinclair was named Canada Soccer’s female player of the year for the 12th time and 11th in a row since 2004.
The national women’s team captain, played every minute in Canada’s 11 international matches this year and will headline the team as hosts at the 2015 women’s World Cup, which begins in June.
Sinclair also scored seven times for the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League last season.
“Christine has been a remarkably influential figure for women’s football … throughout the years,” said Soccer Canada president Victor Montagliani in a press release.
