The big question mark in this year's Western Lacrosse Association junior entry draft is again Maple Ridge.
The Burrards have been known to go off-the-board when it comes to their first-round picks in recent drafts, and the lure of possible first-rounder Logan Schuss, a consensus No. 1 pick, adds little clarity to the matter in this year's player entry lottery.
Compounding the dilemma is Schuss' possible part-time availability in the summer box league this season following the crafty lefthander's second-round selection by Ohio in the recent MLL pro field lacrosse college draft.
A team like New Westminster, arguably the hardest hit by the MLL bug in past seasons, might be reluctant to select another part-timer at two or three, despite Schuss's lofty four-year numbers (161 goals and 192 assists) in junior A league and playoffs with the Delta Islanders.
That could land Schuss in Burnaby, where his older brother Carlton has also found a home.
But more questions than answers are raised on what the Salmonbellies might do with their second and third overall picks.
President and general manager Dan Richardson is keeping his cards close to his chest, maintaining that the New West club will choose the best available player that suits their immediate needs. But don't be surprised if that too proves to be a ruse.
New West's vulnerability on the back end was left visably exposed last season with the absence of defender Rory Smith. Coquitlam's Jeff Cornwall would be a healthy acquisition and a treat to watch in transition for the Bellies' traditional running game.
It might also be hard for New West to pass up on lefty Brandon Goodwin, a hometown boy and the junior 'Bellies team captain last season who has healthy offensive numbers and a good lacrosse pedigree.
If Goodwin should also slip, Burnaby might have an easier choice at No. 4 in deciding how to best shore up its left-side needs.
Coquitlam, too, will have a decision to make at No. 5. Two of the junior Adanacs' best snipers - Robert Church and Matthew Dinsdale - should still be up for grabs.
Either one would look good in a Laker jersey at No. 6 on a Burnaby team that has built itself into a contender with a strong nucleus of Tri-City talent.
But with an over-abundance of righties, nothing is certain when it comes to who might be Burnaby's second pick of the first round.
Burnaby general manager Paul Rowbotham went on the record saying the Lakers would draft righthanders if that was the next best in line, and then try to address their left-side needs through a player trade.
But all bets are off if Schuss is taken first overall by the Burrards. That leaves Burnaby, with no picks in Round 2, and a tough choice at No. 6 in order to address its shortcomings on transition.
If that scenerio comes into play, an off-the-chart pick might well be Saskatoon's Reagan Harding, an out-of-province player whose heart, commitment and ample stick skills come all bundled in a complete package ready for the taking.
Look to Langley to take giant righthander Tyler Digby, who still has one more year of NCAA football eligibility left, which lessens his stock among possible first-rounders, with the final pick of the first round.
With the first round done, Mike Mallory should open the second round going back to his Maple Ridge roots at No. 8.
The WLA junior draft will take place at the Langley Events Centre on Monday, Feb. 4, beginning at 7 p.m.
WLA DRAFT ORDER
Round 1:
1 Mapie Ridge
2 New Westminster
3 New Westminster
4 Burnaby
5 Coquitlam
6 Burnaby
7 Langley
