Victoria Shamrocks Draft 7 Players including 4 from our Junior Program

For Immediate Release February 7, 2018

Victoria Shamrocks Draft 7 Players including 4 from the Junior program

Written by Beth Atkinson

Victoria– The Western Lacrosse Association 2018 draft of graduating Junior Lacrosse players was held Wednesday night and the Victoria Shamrocks drafted 7 players; Cole Pickup, Danny Smith, Alec Molander, Zac Christianson, Adam Golia, Tommy Scanlan and Rees Cullen. 

1st pick (4th overall) was Cole Pickup, 19 points over five games as a call up with the Seniors last season. As Captain for the Jr. Shamrocks, Pickup played 80 regular season games over 5 seasons and accumulated 334 points with a scoring accuracy of 98%.

2nd pick (9th overall) was Danny Smith as a result of a trade sending Evan Messenger to Coquitlam for the pick.  Smith was called up last season for the Seniors, playing 9 playoff games.  He also had 51 points in 50 games with the Jr. Shamrocks. 

3rd pick (18th overall) was Alec Molander from Comox, played with the Jr. Timbermen in 2017 where he had 68 points including 35 goals. 

4th pick (25th overall) was Zac Christianson played 55 games over the past 5 seasons with the Jr. Shamrocks including 44 points.  Zac is also the son of former Victoria Senior Shamrock’s player and head coach Walt Christianson.

5th pick (39nd overall) was Adam Golia from Mill Bay had 56 points over 4 seasons with the Jr. Timbermen and a versatile forward.

6th pick (49th overall) was Tommy Scanlan from the State of New York had 40 points over 15 games last season with Coquitlam.  He is a very talented shooter who really caught fire during the BCJALL playoffs and Minto Cup.

7th pick (53rd overall) was Rees Cullen from Saanichton, who played defence for the Jr. Shamrocks in 2016.  Cullen is a big rugged player who can go for both ends of the bench but primarily is a defensive player. He took 2017 off to fight forest fires.

Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch commented, “Obviously were very excited about what transpired tonight but it’s a little bitter sweet because it came at a cost. Letting go of an outstanding young player like Evan Messenger was a very difficult decision, because I have confidence that he will be a star in the WLA for many years to come. I thank him for his time with the Shamrocks and wish him and his family all the best. We are thrilled to welcome into the Shamrocks fold a number of bright young prospects who will fill out our local core for many years to come.” Welch concluded, “All in all it was a great night for the Shamrocks.”

The Victoria Shamrocks’ 69th season begins at home on Friday May 25 vs. the Burnaby Lakers at 7:30. Victoria Shamrocks season tickets start at just $49 for kids and be bundled with an adult for only $155.  Tickets can be purchased at Victoriashamrocks.com, phoning 250-478-ROCK (7625) or at the team store at 967 Langford Parkway.