Busy deadline for Thunder as team adds five players for playoff push

It was a busy trade deadline (June 30) for the Langley Junior A Thunder as the team made a series of moves as they look to clinch a spot in the BC Junior A Lacrosse League playoffs.

The Thunder added Jack Dulong, Daniel Battistin, Wyatt Hofer, Deklan Morrison, and Scott Williams to the roster in three separate transactions. 

"We feel that all the players we added will fit in seamlessly," said Thunder General Manager Ryan Williams. "We didn't just add players for the sake of adding players; we evaluated our needs, talked about the character of the players we wanted, and felt these players fit the expectation."

Dulong -- who is from Nova Scotia previously played for the Thunder in 2024 -- before returning back east the past two seasons, most recently in Ontario with the Mimico Mountaineers. The trade was for future considerations.

Dulong is a lefty transition/defender with offensive upside.

"Jack has size and plays with an edge who can transition the ball and has the ability to put the ball into the net on the run," said Ryan Williams.

The other four players -- which came in a pair of trades -- are from within the BCJALL.

Battistin, Hofer and Morrison were with the Burnaby Lakers with a pair of 2027 third-round picks (one belongs to the Victoria Shamrocks) going the other way.

Battistin is a right-handed forward who can play either inside or out.

"He doesn't need the ball in his stick to contribute to an offence and will do whatever role is given to him," Ryan Williams said.

Hofer is a fifth-year defender who leads be example.

"He's vocal and always brings energy and spark to the dressing room. And most importantly, he has the ability to open up the floor via transition with his speed," Ryan Williams said.

Morrison -- a goaltender who previously played his first two seasons in the Thunder organization -- takes over for the back-up role for Marcus Khan who was later traded to the Coquitlam Adanacs for future considerations.

"Deklan is one of the better passing goalies in the league and is good at controlling rebounds," Ryan Williams said. 

And the final move made by Langley was acquiring Scott Williams from the New Westminster Salmonbellies in exchange for Jameson Reed, Cade Allen, a 2027 fourth-round draft pick (via New Westminster) and future considerations.

"He is another balanced player that can play with our without the ball and make a difference," the general manager said. "And he has a great shot and is always a threat with the ball."

Langley (8-4-1) has five games remaining in the regular season.

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