If the indications weren’t there before, the Maple Ridge Burrards made it obvious today: they are going for that elusive Mann Cup.
The WLA club has acquired dynamic scorer Matthew Dinsdale, who’s also known as Marty, for Matt Symes and a first-round draft pick in 2018. It’s another in a long line of moves new general manager Rey Comeault has made to help the Burrards defend their WLA championship and host the national championship series in their own barn this summer against the Ontario champions.
“I think he was kind of one piece where we felt we needed a little bit of an upgrade,” Comeault said. “But in fact we got a huge upgrade.”
Dinsdale, 25, is already an established threat in the WLA and joins one of the most explosive offences in the league. He matched his 24 goals with 24 assists in just ten games with the Adanacs last year, shooting 28 per cent on 86 shots.
Comeault has indicated he may not be done yet, and that other moves could be made later in the season as needs become more apparent.
“We definitely want to make a run this year… we’re in a really good position.”
Comeault also said it was tough to lose Symes and called him one of the most coachable kids he has ever been around in his time around lacrosse.
“I have not met a person more committed to his team,” he said. “He’s an outstanding individual.”
Dinsdale is expected to be in the lineup against his old team in Maple Ridge’s season opener on May 27 in Coquitlam.