Port Coquitlam is undoubtedly a major pipeline for some of the top lacrosse players in Metro Vancouver and across B.C.
Jacob Dunbar, who suited up with the Saints for three seasons in junior 'A' lacrosse, was recently taken first by the Burnaby Lakers in the 2023 Western Senior 'A' Lacrosse Association (WLA) graduating junior draft.
This comes 18 months after the now 22-year-old was selected in the first round, 13th overall by the San Diego Seals in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
Since then, he's played three games at the highest level of North American lacrosse, recording two assists in that span, and re-signed a one-year deal with the Seals in August.
In 2021, Dunbar's last season with the PoCo Saints, he recorded 29 goals and 38 points in eight games - a shortened BC junior 'A' season (BCJALL) as a result of the then restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The South Surrey product was then traded in December that year to the Nanaimo Timbermen.
He amassed 48 points in 11 regular-season games, including 31 goals, and added 15 more in 12 playoff tilts. Nanaimo ultimately fell in the BCJALL semi-final series to the Langley Thunder.
Barring any setbacks, Dunbar will head back to the lower mainland for the 2023 WLA campaign starting later in the spring.
He's set to join a Burnaby Laker franchise that's on the mend from a 4-14 record last year, which included only one win in its final 10 games.
His time at the professional level may certainly help the green and black, as well as his international experience.
Dunbar was part of Canada’s gold-medal team at the 2019 International Indoor Junior Lacrosse world championships in Mississauga, Ont.
Coquitlam Adanacs
Meanwhile, the Coquitlam Adanacs picked four players in the 2023 WLA Draft, coming off their first playoff appearance since 2013.
- Drew Kask = Second round, 10th overall
- Dylan Robinson = Second round, 13th overall
- Ryan Suzukovich = Fourth round, 27th overall
- Kobe McComber = Fifth round, 34th overall
The purple and gold finished second in the 2022 regular season standings with a 12-6 record, which included eight wins out of nine games on their home floor.
- with files from Mario Bartel, Tri-City News
