Young Thunder squad looks to take next step

Youth won’t lower the bar for the Langley Tier 1 Thunder heading into the 2026 season.

On the heels of a 14-4-0 record—good for second place in the 10-team BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League — and a semi-final appearance, the Thunder open their season on April 28, hosting the Port Coquitlam Saints at the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

“Last year’s team showed what Langley can be, and it’s our job to continue building on what they started and take that next step,” said Langley coach Connar Abrams.

Through training camp and the preseason, the group has already impressed.

“The level of compete they’ve brought has stood out,” Abrams said. “They’ve shown they aren’t a team that quits when the game isn’t going our way. That maturity and compete can take this group a long way.”

The roster looks much different this season, with just six regulars returning and only one third-year player among them. Of the remaining players, 21 of 22 are either rookies or in their second season of junior lacrosse. Players have five years of junior eligibility.

“This is a young team that can compete at a high level and fly around,” Abrams said. “There’s a lot to learn, and our goal is to get this group to compete at their best and push themselves to become one of the top teams in the league.”

Four of the returnees are on the offensive side, split evenly across the floor. Logan Claxton and Dallas Kilpatrick anchor the left side, while Jacob Glass and Owen Van Ryn operate on the right.

Claxton finished second on the team in both points (54) and assists (40) last season—his assist total also ranked second league-wide—while adding 14 goals in 16 games. Glass was Langley’s second-leading goal scorer with 23 goals and 32 points in just 10 games. He also split time with the club’s Junior A squad, adding five goals and 13 points in nine appearances.

Van Ryn contributed six goals and 21 points in 15 games, while Kilpatrick chipped in 10 goals and 20 points over nine contests.

One of the new offensive additions is Josiah Allen, the second-overall pick in the BC Junior A Lacrosse League Entry Draft. He’s described as a dynamic player capable of contributing at both ends of the floor, while also handling face-off duties.

The defence features two returnees – Colten Lifton and James McIntyre, as well Kiyoshi Copeland and Reece Bryde, who each saw time as call-ups for Langley in 2025, appearing in six and four games, respectively. They are joined by newcomers Ram Tomas, Carter Ramsbottom, and Alex Labrecque. Tomas and Ramsbottom were selected fourth and eighth overall in the draft, while Labrecque joins as an out-of-province transfer from Saskatchewan.

Tomas is described as an outstanding athlete who plays with relentless pace, while Ramsbottom is a strong, skilled defender comfortable pushing the ball in transition. Labrecque brings size, speed, and athleticism, with the ability to impact the game across the floor.

And in goal, the duties will be shared by a pair of rookies in Jensen McGregor and Hendrix Wenman.

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