Two Port Coquitlam athletes have made the jump to the top professional league for North American lacrosse.
On Friday (Jan. 7), it was announced that Keegan Bell and Clark Walter earned promotions to the active rosters of their respective National Lacrosse League (NLL) clubs.
Both had been listed on each team's practice roster prior to the call.
Bell ventured to Rogers Arena with the Vancouver Warriors, who selected the 24-year-old transitioner in the fifth round of the 2019 draft and signed a two-year deal in June 2021.
The WLA Langley Thunder alum did not officially suit up in the contest that saw the Warriors lose 18-15 to the Colorado Mammoth.
Meanwhile, Walter flew across the continent to join the Saskatchewan Rush as they take on the Albany FireWolves tonight (Jan. 8).
The 23-year-old forward was taken 43rd overall by the Rush in the 2020 NLL Draft and signed a two-year contract in September 2020.
Both Bell and Walter have been developing their game in the newly formed Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) West Division — an official affiliate campaign of the NLL —that sees four teams in the boxes at Langley Events Centre.
It's inaugural season began in December and Bell currently leads the ALL with two short-handed goals.
In just two games with Sea Spray LC, PoCo product has notched five points with three goals and two assists.
Walter has only suited up for one match with the ALL West Division-leading Grizzlies LC, who stand at 3-0 as of this publication, but contributed in a big way with five points himself - also three goals and two assists.
He is an alum of the Port Coquitlam Saints and also took the college route in representing Limestone University (South Carolina) in NCAA Div. II field lacrosse between 2017 and 2020.
Walter helped Limestone win the 2017 NCAA Div. II title and was named a Div. II All-American in 2019 after scoring 53 goals.
