It will be one big 25th birthday celebration for Logan Schuss on Saturday and 1,000 fans will be taking home a special souvenir to mark the occasion.
The Vancouver Stealth are paying tribute to the Ladner lacrosse star with his own bobblehead night when they host the Colorado Mammoth - 7 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre. Schuss was acquired by his hometown National Lacrosse League team late last season and is just the second player the club has honoured with this promotion.
He was given 10 of his own as keepsakes and dropped by Delta Secondary School to present one to his former teacher Todd Allan.
"He told me I'm the first student in DSS history to have his own bobblehead,"smiled the Ohio State University graduate, who suggested Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton might not be too far behind. "It's a pretty cool honour for me and cool for the community to see a small town Ladner boy be able to make it to the top of his sport and get his own bobblehead.
"I will definitely be putting some away. My mom has collected everything imaginable from my lacrosse career over the years. It's all in a bunch of totes in the basement. It's going to be quite the man cave I have one day."
Local fans also have the option of taking the "Schuss Bus" to the game.
The Ravens have hooked up with The Dancing Pig for a three tier promotional package that includes everything from dinner, tickets and transportation from the Ladner restaurant. It was an idea brewed up by Schuss and Stealth commentator Brad Challoner, another hometown boy.
"We poked around the idea when we saw the game was on my birthday," continued Schuss. "It gives young kids a chance to get to the game and even those who might want to have a few beverages and not have to worry about driving.
"The funny thing is, when I was younger, my mom used to take players on my teams to games all over the Lower Mainland in the family van. That was the original 'Schuss Bus.'"
The Stealth are coming off a big 13-11 road win over the Saskatchewan Rush that evened their record at 1-1. It was the first game played in Saskatoon since the defending NLL champions relocated from Edmonton.
Vancouver rallied from an 11-8 deficit with five unanswered goals, including four in the fourth quarter. Schuss finished the night with a goal and three assists.
"It was one of the most exciting games I have every played in," said Schuss. "There is not much else to cheer for in Saskatoon other than a WHL team and the (CFL) Riders. "There was close to 10,000 and the arena was full of energy. There were fans yelling through the boards at us and they had the music as loud as it could, from the very first minute, with everyone standing up."
Once the NLL season has concluded, Schuss will once again play box lacrosse. He remains under contract with the Ohio Machine of the U.S. pro field lacrosse league and plans on heading south for a few games next summer when his schedule allows him too.
His wish list also includes playing for the Ladner Pioneers - the hometown senior B team that retired his dad (Ed Schuss) and uncle's (John Schuss) jerseys.
Unbeaten Colorado's lineup features Schuss' one-time Delta Islanders teammate Eli McLaughlin and rookie Jordan Gilles whom he coached last year as an assistant with his former junior team.
"With Eli and Jordan coming here it makes it an even more special night, Schuss added. "Three Delta Junior products on the field for the same game is pretty cool. It's going to be an exciting game and we want to give our fans a win."
For ticket availability Saturday visit www.stealthlax.com.
