Jr. Bellie Grads Much Covetted In 2009 WLA Draft

In another great example of the Jr. Salmonbelllies organization’s ability to prepare players for 'the next level', three of the first five picks in the recent Western Lacrosse Association Draft were 2008 Bellie grads. Further evidence of this preparation for a lacrosse future can be seen in the fact that all of the Jr. Bellies eligible for the draft were in fact drafted. In the first round of the draft, 2008 Bellie’s captain Curtis Manning was selected second over-all by the Senior Bellies. Kyle Belton was selected fourth over-all by the Langley Thunder, who then selected current San Jose Stealth and Jr. Bellie grad Alex Turner with the fifth over-all pick. L-R Alex Turner, Curtis Manning, Max Gallant Draft observers could not re-call the last time so many Jr. Bellies’ were selected in the first round. Adam Foss was the next Bellie selected when he went to the Senior Bellies in the fourth round. Kyle Starchuck to Langley, Sean Tessarolo to the Maple Ridge Burrards and Ben Johnson to the Victoria Shamrocks were the Jr. Bellies selected in the fifth round of the draft. In the sixth round Max Gallant was selected by Langley and James Poelzer was chosen by the Senior Bellies, to round out an extremely positive draft. In a nice touch the ever affable Alex Turner stopped by the table where a number of the Jr. Bellies staff were gathered to thank the staff for all their support and encouragement over his three seasons with the club.