Junior A Thunder hand out year-end awards

Bailey Vanichuk was a double winner as the Langley Thunder Junior A lacrosse team handed out its year-end awards.

The team wrapped up its BC Junior A Lacrosse League season earlier this month, finishing with a 5-15-1 record.

Joining Vanichuk (Langley) in earning recognition from the team’s coaching and management staff were Graysen Balatti (Maple Ridge), Ben Gagnon (Maple Ridge), Curtis Goode (Langley), Stuart Phillips (Coquitlam) and Chase Schiavon (Kelowna).

The Thunder lose seven players – including Goode and Phillips -- to graduation next season.

Most Valuable Player: Ben Gagnon

Gagnon was one of only two players to suit up in all 21 games this past season and was an offensive threat out of the back end, finishing with 11 goals and 13 points. He also played on both special teams’ units.

“Whatever was asked, or whatever was needed, Ben really stepped up and did the job for us. We are excited to see his game continue to develop over the next two seasons.”

Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year: Bailey Vanichuk

Vanichuk led Langley with 21 goals and 47 points in 18 games and was described as always giving 100 percent effort and someone who does whatever is asked of him.

“Guys with his effort and compete level are hard to come by.”

Cody Malawsky did earn an honourable mention for the Offensive Player of the Year Award as he scored 14 goals and 27 points in just seven games after missing the start of the season while away at school. Malawsky’s playing rights for the rest of the summer were traded away at the BCJALL trade deadline, but he will return to the Langley organization for the 2024 season.

Defensive Player of the Year: Chase Schiavon

This was Schiavon’s first year with Langley and the defender made an immediate impact both on and off the floor.

“He plays a solid defensive game with a very strong physical presence and very few penalties.”

Schiavon was also traded at the 2023 deadline for the rest of the summer season, but his rights revert back to the Thunder for 2024.

Unsung: Curtis Goode

Goode has spent his entire five-year junior career with the organization and has done whatever has been asked of him by the team.

“Year after year, he’s been used more and more and relied on consistently as one of our key workhorses. There is no quit with him.”

Most Improved Player: Graysen Balatti

In just his second year at the junior level, Balatti has progressed to become one of the team’s key defenders, with his minutes steadily increasing over the course of the season.

“His confidence, leadership and his game have all improved and we can’t wait to see what he brings moving forward.”

Graduating Player: Stuart Phillips

Phillips joined the team late this past season as he was away at school, but in just six games, he managed to score 14 goals and 31 points, leading the team with 5.2 points per game.

Named captain for this season, Phillips was an offensive force for the Thunder. Going back to the 2022 season and including playoffs, Phillips scored 59 goals and 140 points in 31 games in a Langley uniform.

“He was a leader on the floor and showed the other guys who are newer to the league where they need to be if they want to succeed.”

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