Thunder Eliminated From Championship Contention in the Semi-Finals

The 2013 season was widely believed to be the Langley Thunder Junior A coming out. This was the fifth year of a five year program organized by the Thunder management where the team was rebuilt using a combination of local talent and draft picks. The result was a team that was very competitive, balanced and deep. With the acquisition of goaltenders Spencer England and Tyler Glebe, the Thunder had solved the goaltending problems that had plagued the club in the past. Evidenced by the steady improvement in the standings and in wins, the planned had worked. Being knocked out in the semi-finals for the second year in a row demonstrated that the plan had stalled in reaching its ultimate goal of producing a champion.

In analysing the result this year it is clear that the Thunder could not overcome the tradition and player development capabilities of the two clubs that finished ahead of the Thunder this year, the New Westminster Salmonbellies who eliminated the Thunder and the Coquitlam Adanacs who finished first for the seventh year in a row. Both of these clubs have had very strong and successful minor lacrosse programs that, given the catchment area rules, have provided a steady stream of talent for their clubs without risk of losing local players to other clubs. Second, both programs have had a long history of success, therefore giving them an advantage in securing players to fill holes at the trade deadline. The Adanacs and the Salmonbellies simply have more to offer in players and draft picks to other clubs that are not in contention. In addition, good players in their final year of eligibility are far more likely to request a trade to these clubs.

The Thunder have to reset the clock on a new plan. The previous plan worked and no one should be overly critical of the result. The Thunder have a much better base from which to start than they did five years ago. The Thunder have some talented players returning including Brett Dobray, Johnny Pearson, and James Rahe who will be the core of next’s year team. There is talent on the Intermediate roster that will be available to the club next year. The Langley minor program has been steadily improving. There is a talented group of players emerging who are now playing Midget A1.

The Thunder are also gaining a reputation of excellence and professionalism. They also have one of the best facilities in the country to work from that will support the Thunder to becoming a prestige program.

There appears to be three keys to long-term success. They are first, reputation for success, second a strong minor association and third, a good player development plan. The Thunder have the ingredients of all three.