Tan readies for physical challenge of junior lacrosse

Easy to coach, eager to learn and always asking how he can improve.

That is the description of Corin Tan from one of his former coaches.

“Usually you can tell him to correct something once and the next time out there, he will fix his mistake,” explained Jordan Gabriele, his coach in 2019 at the Midget level with the Burnaby Lakers Minor Lacrosse Club.

Tan was a sixth-round pick (44^th overall) of the Langley Junior Thunder at the 2021 BC Junior A Lacrosse League Draft.

Tan is a five-foot-seven, 130-pound left-handed forward.

“Corin is a very talented offensive player with good athleticism, great IQ and understanding of the game,” Gabriele said. “He has great hands and athleticism.”

Despite his size, Gabriele said Tan is not afraid to go to the tough areas to make the play.

“He’s not the biggest player, so seeing him battle in the corners for loose balls or cut to the middle and get in the dirty areas is always nice to see as a coach,” Gabriele said. “He doesn’t show fear when he is playing.”

The 16-year-old Tan has played the sport since he was about five years old after discovering it at a sports camp at Burnaby Lake Arena.

“I fell in love with lacrosse the first time I played and told my mom (right away) I wanted to join a team,” he said.  “With my size and frame, I focus my game to be based on speed, agility and precision.”

Tan played the majority of his minor lacrosse with the Burnaby Minor Lacrosse Club and while he may be known for his offensive instincts, he was the Best Defensive Player for his Peewee B team in 2015 and in 2019, helped Burnaby win bronze at the Midget A1 level in 2019. He had switched associations to the Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse Association last year.

With no games to play over the last year, Tan has focused on working out to getting stronger as he prepares for the physicality of the junior game.