The Burnaby Lakers believe size matters.
For a B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League team, that one component can play a big role when the hill to climb is so huge.
With one move, the team that finished last in 2015 grew by nearly a foot and packed on a lot of weight in preparation for the start of the 2016 season.
Burnaby shipped sniper Mitch McDole to the Langley Thunder for a handful of players, including second-year junior Connor McNeil and 19-year-old twins Parker and Pearson Willis.
The trade also netted the Lakers intermediate-aged Kalien Corona and Tyler Smith.
McNeil counted three goals and four assists in seven games with Langley last season, while the Willis siblings showed good hands during their first full junior season.
Parker Willis counted 10 goals and 19 assists in 19 games as a rookie, while Pearson Willis tallied seven goals and 17 assists over 18 games. As to size, Parker stands 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, while Pearson is 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds.
All three are lefthanders.
“They are big boys,” said Lakers general manager Brad Hara. “Size was an important consideration, but it wasn’t the only thing we were looking for.”
McNeil, a native of Chilliwack, was the fourth overall choice in the 2014 BCJALL midget draft. Two months ago, he was voted the MVP in the u18 tier 1 provincial field lacrosse final as he helped Langley top Coquitlam for the gold.
The Willises currently attend Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS as freshmen, joining fellow junior Lakers Damon Prince and Fox Nahanee, the latter who became property of Burnaby in a swap last month.
McDole was second in team scoring with 24 goals and 27 assists over 15 games as a freshman, after leading the Intermediate A circuit in scoring in 2014.
“He was a tough guy to give up but we were getting five solid players, young players, in return,” said Hara. “I think the players we acquired will replace (McDole’s) offence, and what we’ve added to the organization is size and depth.”
The season kicks off May 1 when Delta visits the Bill Copeland Sports Complex.
