Delta’s Messenger Selected By Stealth

Covering the Delta Islanders Junior A Lacrosse we see several talented players advance through the Delta Lacrosse system and excel their game to new levels.

Such was the case for the 2015 NLL Vancouver Stealth at this season’s draft held at Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville where the Stealth started the draft with the 19^th pick overall.

In total the Stealth selected eight (8) players at the 2015 NLL draft and as Stealth Head Coach Dan Perreault stated “We were very happy the way the draft unfolded.”

He continued “We looked at some of the left-handed offensive players and were able to draft a few that we had our eye on. We were excited to get the players we wanted.”

The Stealth first selection in the second round 19th overall was forward Jordan Durston (21) and calls Wallaceburg, Ontario home.

He is coming off a Minto Cup Championship season with the Six Nations Arrows in the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior “A”.

His stats through 19 games saw him (Durston) manage 64 points (24 goals, 40 assists) along with 43 PIM’s.

Following the draft Durston stated “It is amazing to be a part of the Stealth organization and it’s just a crazy feeling right now and I’m really excited to be picked by Vancouver and I hope to step into the line-up and make an impact.”

The 21^st selection saw the Stealth select Shayne Adams ( left-handed forward) from the University of Detroit Mercy. Adams calls St. Catharines home and played for hometown St. Catharines Saints (Ontario Lacrosse Association Senior “B”), where he recorded seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) and two (2) penalty minutes.

Playing Junior “A” he recorded 263 points in 84 career games split between both St. Catharines and Six Nations.

Two picks later they grabbed (forward) Connor Brown (20) from Halton Hills of the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior “B”  that saw him finish second in league scoring with 115 points (51 goals, 64 assists).

The next selection was Riley Campbell (33^rd overall) and was a member of the Peterborough Lakers of the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior “A” dressing in 20 games, registering 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists). 

The fourth round was where they selected local player Evan Messenger was selected 39th overall and played with the Delta Islanders Junior  A club this past season and was a power-house for the club.

In 16 games this past season, he recorded 62 points (26 goals, 36 assists) and in a total of 56 career regular season games with the Islanders, Messenger piled up a whopping 195 points (87 goals, 108 assists).

Head Coach Dan Perrault stated “Evan is a very good athlete and being from the West, I had a chance to see him play a lot. He is a lefty with a very good skill set and is a young guy with a very bright future.”

With two picks in the fifth round, the Stealth selected Ryan Wagner out of Niagara (Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior “B”) and Keegan Letourneau, a member of the Six Nations Arrows (Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior “A”).

The Stealth’s last pick in the draft was lefty forward Blake Curry at #49 from Seneca.

Congrats to the Vancouver Stealth on the selections and we look forward to our conversation with Doug Locker on the selections and what lies ahead for the Stealth.