The New Westminster Salmonbellies signed something old and something new to their 2015 Western Lacrosse Association roster.
The senior A Salmonbellies received a commitment from former rookie of the year Logan Schuss to play all 18 regular season games this year, while former defensive player of the year Ian Hawksbee and last season’s top D-man Jeff Cornwall will also be back to further bolster the Fishmen’s back line.
Alexis Buque will return between the pipes for the ’Bellies after a debut pro season with the NLL Colorado Mammoth.
New West’s No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft Reid Reinholdt will finally get to make his WLA debut with the ’Bellies after a year out because of injury.
Reinholdt currently leads the No. 1-ranked Division II Limestone College field lacrosse team with 27 total points in eight games this season.
New to the Salmonbellies are two just signed Ontario imports – defender Broedie Birkhof and offensive lefthander Shane MacDonald.
Birkhof is a 6-3, 215-pound defender from the Jr. A Burlington Chiefs, who will remind Queen’s Park fans of a young Rory Smith, said Salmonbellies president and general manager Dan Richardson.
Birkhof led the Ontario junior league with 112 penalty minutes.
MacDonald is s 6-1, 205-lbs. sniper, who was a fifth overall pick of the Minnesota Swarm of the NLL this season.
MacDonald scored 27 goals, including a team-high eight power play markers, and garnered 55 points in 17 games for the junior Brampton Excelsiors last season.
“Shane is a bonafide top-five offensive player with an absolute cannon for a shot from the left side,” said Richardson.
“Broedie brings toughness, grit and sandpaper. Both are very excited to join the Salmonbellies.”
The ’Bellies open the WLA season at home against the Coquitlam Adanacs on Thursday, May 28.
Season tickets are available at the Queen’s Park ticket office or online at www.salmonbellies.com.
