Eight players with ties to the Delta Islanders organization were selected in last week's Western Lacrosse Association Entry Draft including one of the top junior "A" players in club history.
The Nanaimo Timbermen used the second overall pick to select Eli McLaughlin. The left-handed sharpshooter spent four seasons in Delta, highlighted by helping the club reach the league championship series for the first time in franchise history in 2012.
The Surrey native enjoyed two more productive years with the Islanders but was dealt at the league trading deadline each time - first to New West and then Coquitlam - as the club stocked up on prospects and draft choices.
Last summer, he led the Coquitlam Adanacs in playoff scoring in route to reaching the Minto Cup. McLaughlin is currently in his rookie season in the National Lacrosse League with the Colorado Mammoth where he has managed 15 points in six games. The Mammoth selected him fourth overall in the NLL draft.
"He's a potential star in this league, so it was a no-brainer to take him at No. 2," said
Timbermen head coach Kaleb Toth.
"He's just going to get better and better.
He's a very dynamic player who sees the floor very well and is doing great in the NLL."
Meanwhile, Mike Henry was selected in the fourth round by the Maple Ridge Burrards. Henry had 52 points last season while serving as team captain.
Sam Clare and Tyler Nett were picked in the fifth round by Maple Ridge and the Burnaby Lakers respectively. Clare, a standout field lacrosse player at Simon Fraser, saw brief time with the Islanders last season and also helped the Delta junior "B" squad win the provincial championship.
Defensive standout Mike Donaldson was taken in the sixth round by the New West Salmonbellies. Other selections included Greg Finley and Mike Avery being drafted in round seven and eight respectively by the Langley Thunder.
Rounding out the local contingent was the Coquitlam Adanacs using their ninth round pick to take Delta junior "B" standout Jordan Thauli.
With files from Scott McKenzie, Nanaimo Daily News.
