The Nanaimo Timbermen picked five players from their own Junior A team in the 2024 WLA draft. (Gary Johansen)

By Dan Marshall

Local Drafting

Timbermen focus on homegrown talent in 2024 WLA draft

Feb 9, 2024 | 10:10 AM

NANAIMO — Six new players have joined the Senior A Timbermen in the 2024 WLA entry draft.

Five of those players are graduates of the Junior A Timbermen program with club president Chris Bowman saying the Tmen are proud to be able to promote from within.

“It’s great for our players to be able to continue their lacrosse careers as Timbermen. They have done an amazing job building the junior program and encompass what we want Timbermen players to be, hard working, driven, leaders that are great teammates.”

While Nanaimo had the fifth and sixth overall picks in the first round, the Victoria Shamrocks jumped in with the fourth selection and took long time Junior Timbermen lefty Jack Bowie.

The move gave the Timbermen the opportunity to take 80 point scorer Riley Arsenault who led Nanaimo Junior A in 2023.

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“I’m super excited,” Arsenault said. “I’ve played junior in the organization for five years and it was awesome so I can’t wait to keep that going”

Nanaimo’s only pick outside of their own organization was at sixth overall when they took left hander Keegan Kozack from the Delta Junior Islanders.

Kozack had 18 points in seven games in 2023 and also plays field lacrosse at Canisius College.

“I like playing the pick game and getting inside,” Kozack said. “I like supporting the other four guys on the court with me, and whatever Nanaimo needs me to do I’ll do it.”

Bowman was excited to add two offensive weapons in the first round.

“Riley is a big body that scored 40 goals last year. He will bring more offense and size to our right side. He has steadily progressed to be a more complete offensive player every year. Keegan is a big strong lefty that plays a great two man game and creates space for his teammates. He has a deft scoring touch both inside and outside.

The rest of the draft saw mostly defensive players join the club including Tosh Paziuk in the second, while Luke Ory was the third round selection.

Defenders Nolan Ross and Cam Gregory rounded out the Timbermen draft class of 2024.

The WLA schedule has not been released yet but the Timbermen will likely begin play in the final week of May or first week in June.

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