Armed with Hazelwood Construction as a title sponsor for this season, the Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen are gearing up for the 2024 campaign. (Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen)

By Ian Holmes

Important development

Title sponsor stabilizes Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen

Apr 10, 2024 | 4:21 PM

NANAIMO — A local construction company is helping to build on the success of a resurrected local lacrosse program.

One season removed from players and the business community rallying behind the club’s revival, Hazelwood Construction Services signed on as the Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen’s title sponsor for the 2024 season.

It’s a significant breakthrough for the team.

Veteran forward Doug Langlois, who doubles as the team’s president of business operations, said they’re excited and relieved to have additional financial security for their upcoming season.

“We’re a full step ahead of where we were last year and then bringing Hazelwood on board is huge for us to be able to continue to grow on that,” Langlois told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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A commendable player-led intervention saw the longtime lacrosse team return to the floor last year after a key corporate pulled out, sidelining the team for the 2022 campaign.

COVID restrictions shut the West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association down for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Being dormant for three years threatened the future of the club, however widespread support from the corporate community and their fans last season was crucial, Langlois said.

“More fans attended our games than anyone else in the league by quite a big margin and we’re hoping for the same turnout this year,” Langlois said. “Same on the business side, we had a ton of companies able to support us last year.”

The Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen enjoyed strong turnouts at their home games last season. (Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen)

The Senior B Timbermen compiled a 7-7 last regular season record, followed by a first round playoff loss to the Victoria Shamrocks.

Langlois, a forward who led the Senior B T-Men in scoring last season with 21 goals and 49 points in 14 regular season appearances, expects they’ll be a stronger team this year.

He said an infusion of new talent is expected to complement a base of returning players.

While acknowledging bringing back and sustaining the team is hard work and at times stressful, Langlois said they are well positioned for the future.

“We’re just trying to build on that and hopefully let it continue to grow,” Langlois said. “Minor lacrosse is thriving in Nanaimo, if we can provide another outlet for people to continue to play, that’s what we’ll do for years to come.”

A 16-game regular season schedule is offered this year in the five-team West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association, with five of the Senior B T-men’s first seven home games at the Nanaimo Ice Centre (NIC) before shifting to Frank Crane Arena.

The team opens the 2024 regular season on Wednesday, May 22 versus Victoria at the NIC at 7:30.

Prospective players, volunteers and corporate partners can reach the Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen at: Nanaimotimbermensrb@gmail.com, or reach out via the team’s regularly monitored Facebook page.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes