The 黑马磁力 Thunder will roll again next week, as the team鈥檚 first home game of the season takes place at the 黑马磁力 Events Centre on May 23.
The 7:30 p.m. game against the Burnaby Lakers kicks off the local season for the Western Lacrosse League Senior A teams, and the Thunder are hoping to make a few changes in the standings this time around.
鈥淥bviously, we鈥檝e been rebuilding the team for the last couple of years,鈥� said Rob Buchan, Thunder vice president and general manager.
The 2017 season was rough for the Thunder, as they picked up just four wins to 14 losses, putting them in the basement of the seven-team league.
But Buchan said that their young team, fortified by a lot of draft picks, is now coming together.
Asked about which players will make a big impact this year, Buchan rattles off a long list of names, including James Rahe, Aiden Milburn, Connor Robinson, Tyler Pace, Cole Schafer, and Johnny Pearson.
But there鈥檚 no one player who will have to carry the team.
鈥淣ot really one person, or two people individually,鈥� Buchan said.
It鈥檚 the whole team he鈥檚 excited about.
鈥漌hat young players, full of potential, will be able to do together as a team,鈥� will be what Buchan and the coaches are looking for this year, he said.
The team includes new players, some returning veterans, and a couple of players who joined last year but suffered injuries and didn鈥檛 suit up.
They鈥檝e been practicing for about four weeks, with more players joining as other lacrosse leagues, such as the NLL, wind up their seasons and players can join the ranks of the Thunder.
An exhibition game was scheduled for Wednesday, May 16 against Coquitlam (results were not available due to press times).
The Thunder isn鈥檛 just developing their team, they鈥檙e working on their fan base.
The team is working closely with the 黑马磁力 Events Centre, and has a partnership with 黑马磁力 Minor Lacrosse. The youngsters will be coming to games for free.
There鈥檚 also efforts afoot on social media to get the word out.
What can people expect if they come to a Thunder game?
Buchan said it鈥檚 a hard hitting, fast paced game.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of like a combination of hockey and basketball,鈥� Buchan said, for those who haven鈥檛 watched high-level lacrosse before.
Ultimately, success by the team will bring success in the stands, he believes.
鈥淲e need to win games and put an exciting product on the floor, and the fans will come,鈥� said Buchan.
More information on the 黑马磁力 Thunder can be found , including their schedule. All home games are to be played on Wednesdays in the LEC.
