Season in Review - 2013
Though we fell short of our ultimate goal of hoisting the Minto Cup, the 2013 season passed with no shortage of achievements by a young and very exciting Fuel Junior A Adanacs team.
Through the 2013 season, we finished in first place in the BCJALL with a 16-5 record. We swept the Victoria Shamrocks after our first round bye in the playoffs, outscoring them 36-19 in just three games. Though, we had to play all five games of the provincial finals, we came out on top, beating New Westminster to win the league for the fifth consecutive year.
Starting goaltender Davide DiRuscio earned the Monty Leahy Trophy as the top goaltender in the BCJALL for the second season in a row. Robin Lowenberger picked up the Best Defensive Player Award and goaltender Pete Dubenski, who came over from Nanaimo at the trade deadline, nabbed the Al Boles Trophy as most inspirational player. Over on the bench, head coach Neil Doddridge was the recipient of the Doug Hazelwood Trophy as the BCJALL coach of the year in his first year with the organization.
Three Adanacs were named to the BCJALL All-Star teams. Davide DiRuscio and Robin Lowenberger were selected as First All-Stars and Michael Messenger earned a spot on the Second All-Star team.
During regular season, Chase McIntyre led the team in scoring with 75 Points (20 G, 55 A) in 19 games. Goalie Davide DiRuscio finished with a save percentage of 82.18 and an impressive goals against average of 7.55 over 18 games.
In playoffs, Steven Neufeld led the team and the league in scoring with 29 Points (14 G, 15 A) in 8 games and went on to be named the BCJALL Playoff MVP for the year. Wesley Berg landed in second place in the league in playoff scoring with 28 points (12 G, 16 A) in just 6 games.
At Minto Cup, we opened with a win against the Okotoks Raiders from Alberta, but fell short against the Ontario champion Whitby Warriors and twice versus our local rivals, the New Westminster Salmonbellies, once in round robin play and once in the tournament semi-finals.
Seven of our players will graduate this year. There is no question that Matt Delmonico, Davide DiRuscio, Tyler Garrison, Sam Goodman, Steven Neufeld, Reid Reinholdt, Vinny Ricci and Kody TeKanawa will each continue to have an impact in the world of lacrosse. We are thankful to have had them all suited up in purple and gold, even if only for a month or two, and wish them great success. No matter where they go, they will always be Adanacs.
They are leaving behind many of their younger and equally talented teammates. The 2014 season is guaranteed to bring with it another exciting team to watch.
Finally, our successes would not be possible without the love, admiration and support of the extended Adanacs family. To all of the executive, staff, players, parents, families, friends, sponsors and fans: thank you. This would never be possible without you! Everybody's an Adanac.
See you next season!