Steve Goodwin and his crew of coaches came into this season with a new philosophy.  Get faster.  With the addition of 6 rookies the Salmonbellies headed to Nanaimo for the 2013 Season Opener.  Nanaimo had just come off an impressive win for their season opener against Burnaby and  was riding high for their home opener against the Bellies.

27 seconds into the game, new acquired Chet Konezcny#4 scored his first goal as a Salmonbellie and the first for the 2013 Salmonbellie campaign.  As the league is trying to curtail fighting there were times throughout the game that retaliation was on the minds of many of the Bellies.  When captain Nenad Gajic #10 was driven headfirst into the boards the team led by brother Alex #87 was quick to respond but was able to penalize the Timberman with goals rather than fists.  Alex was named the first star with his 3 goals and 3 assist outing joined by Tom Johnson #8 who had 3 goals and 2 assists. Jordan McBride #11 added 2 goals and 4 assists while Jeff Cornwall #23 added his first goal in his rookie season in the WLA along with goals from Captain Nenad and Junior A call up Quinn Smith.

The third star of the game and named the “Hardest Working” Salmonbellie was rookie Regan Harding #66. 3 goals and an assist along with winning 12 of 18 faceoffs, Reagan gained the respect of his fellow Bellies and coaches with his tenacious play throughout the game.  As is tradition all rookies clean and unload the bus on away games.  This time one of them was wearing the prize golden championship “Hardest Working” belt.

The Rivers Reach Pub in New Westminster will be streaming the Salmonbellies game in Nanaimo on Sunday May 19, 2013.

320 Sixth Street,
New Westminster, B.C. Canada V3L 3A8

COME DOWN AND SUPPORT YOUR BELLIES AND ENJOY SOME GREAT FOOD AND A FANTASTIC ATMOSPHERE AT THE RIVERS REACH

Home Opener is May 23rd at 7:45 pm at Queens Park Arena vs Victoria Shamrocks. New West Minor Lacrosse Appreciation Night – All players, parents and siblings to New West Minor Players get in free for the Home Opener! 

New Coaching staff…New players…New Attitude and now the new 2013 season is upon us.The Salmonbellies open their season on the road this Sunday, May 19, in Nanaimo.  As they conclude their final practice before the start of the season there are definitely some changes and improvements to this year`s team.  First year players look to make an immediate impact for the team.  Keegan Bal (25), Regan Harding (66), Jeff Cornwall (23) and Matt Zinn (42) will be in the lineup for the season opener while other first year players, Reid Mydske (41) and Logan Schuss (14) will be arriving shortly to this new faster Salmonbellie team.  Follow the game on twitter or through the league`s webcast on www.theboxrocks.com

The New Westminster Salmonbellies and Victoria Shamrocks have reached an agreement that will exchange players Rory Smith and Chet Koneczny.

With Rory Smith the Bellies also send their second round pick in 2014, but the deal also has some conditions.  If Rory Smith plays for the Shamrocks in 2014 or 2015, then New West will receive Victoria’s first round pick in 2016.  If Rory Smith does not play for the Shamrocks, Victoria will retain that 2016 pick and the playing rights to Rory Smith will revert back to New Westminster that year. 

Beginning in 2009, Smith spent three seasons with the Salmonbellies, but played for the Six Nations Chiefs of Major Series Lacrosse last summer.  Koneczny has spent the last three seasons with the Shamrocks.  

Saturday  May 4^th

Queens Park Arena Lobby

10:00am to 12:00noon

We will have some players and coaches on site to answer your questions, autographs , picture opportunities.

There will be door prizes exclusively available to our 2013 season ticket holders, coffee , cake and much more.

And your season tickets will be available for pick up.

Stay up to date on your Salmonbellies by following us at our site www.salmonbellies.com and our facebook and twitter feeds.

Couple things that you need to remember  :

 - Seat selection is done by  the following way :

Returning season ticket holders automatically get their reserved seats from last year.

1. If season tickets have not been renewed those seats become available on a  first come first serve basis.
2. If  you purchased your tickets under a different name last year, you will have to let us know in advance to avoid any confusion on May 4^th 
3. If we make a mistake, please be patient, were doing our best were all volunteers and we will make sure we try and fix any mistakes to the best of our abilities

Frequently asked Questions

Can I send someone to pick up my season tickets as I will be unavailable on May 4^th.?   Answer – Yes We will need the name of the Seat Holder and  a receipt if possible

1. Will you mail our season tickets to us if we cant make it on My 4^th ? Answer – No, unclaimed season tickets will be placed in Will Call and available at Queens Park Arena on game days (Thursdays) or at Queen Park Offices Monday to Friday 10:00am til 3:00pm.
2. Our the 2013 Salmonbellies Tickets Dated? Answer – Yes each ticket is dated for each game game.
3. Will our games be webcast this year ? Answer – Yes  we will be webcasting all of our home and away games , stay tuned to the Salmonbellies webpage for further exciting news.
4. Who owns the Salmonbellies ?  Answer – The Salmonbellies are the last of the Seven teams in the WLA that are owned by the Community. We are owned by the Community, our fans, businesses, sponsors , and season ticket holders. We operate under the BC Socities Act with a Board of Directors  and Executive who volunteer their time to run your Salmonbellies.
5. How can I help the Salmonbellies ? Answer – Were always looking for additional Sponsors, Rink Board Ads, Jersey Sponsorship, Program Ads and Game Day Volunteers to assist in making our club the best run club in the league. Being the only Commuinity owned team is an important part of our 124 year Heritage. It’s the Salmonbellies way. If you would like to support the Salmonbellies financially or thru volunteering , please email   ‘generalmanager@salmonbellies.com’.

New Coaches…New Players…New Outlook….

The Salmonbellies took Queen’s Park Arena for their first on floor practice to the start of the 2013 season.  Coach Steve and his coaching staff led the team in some new drills and are looking to make this year’s Salmonbellies faster and more aggressive with or without the ball. Great energy by both coaches and players.   As President and GM Dan Richardson watched on you could see the excitement from him as well with the outlook of this year’s team.  Make no doubt about it this year’s go is nothing less than taking the division and hosting the Mann Cup.

New Helmets…New Outlook and even for Bubba….a new look beard!

The Second Annual Cops for Cancer charity hockey cup challenge was held on March 20, 2013.  After last year’s shoot out win by the NW Salmonbellies, the challenge for the cup this year was being talked about with much anticipation.  We caught up with Coach Clayton Richardson before the game to get his thoughts on the game and how the players were mentally preparing for this year’s contest.  Even though the event was for a good cause off the ice, the players on both teams were coveting hoisting the prized cup at the end of the game.

What started off as a close even match with a tie at the end of the first period soon took a direction with the Salmonbellies taking their hockey playing to another level.  With goals from Kyle Ross (97) Wade Dewolfe (2) Kevin Lunnie (47) Shayne Bennett (15) Nenad Gajic (10) Kevin Richardson (88) Sean Robinson (28) and Nate VanOosten (4) and superior goal tending by Jody Nedlak (33) the Salmonbellies were hoisting the cup for the second year in a row with a 9-3 victory.  Although Coach Hawksbee was quick to recognize that this year’s team had and displayed “superior coaching” he relinquished the player of the game award to Wade Dewolfe.  The big winner however were all the fans that came and contributed to help raising $1800 for the cause.  Great fun, Great Cause and a great rivalry for the cup has taken on a new meaning.

Speaking of Cups…..

THE SECOND ANNUAL COPS FOR CANCER HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NEW WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR NEW WESTMINSTER SALMONBELLIES IS ON MARCH 20, 2013 AT QUEENS PARK ARENA.

THE INAUGURAL GAME SAW OUR SALMONBELLIES TAKE THE CUP WITH A SHOOT OUT WIN AFTER A VERY COMPETITIVE GAME THAT WAS TIED AT THE END OF REGULATION TIME.

THE EVENT IS BACK AND WE’RE EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S CHARITY EVENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

LAST YEAR’S EVENT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL AND WE HOPE TO TOP THOSE PROCEEDS WITH A LARGER TURNOUT THIS YEAR. FREE T SHIRTS AND OTHER GIVE A WAYS, MINOR HOCKEY GAMES BETWEEN PERIODS AND OF COURSE COPS VS BELLIES ON THE ICE.  COME OUT AND HELP SUPPORT THIS GREAT CAUSE.  $5 MINIMUM DONATION HELPS YOU AND ALL OF US

“MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

CENTERVILLE, MASS. — Following a record-tying performance in the first game of the season, Lake Erie College senior attacker Keegan Bal (Coquitlam, B.C./Centennial Secondary) was named Offensive Player of the Week by the East Coast Athletic Conference Division II Men’s Lacrosse League Monday (March 4).

Bal tied a school, single-game record with eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) and recorded his second career five-goal game in the Storm’s season-opening 16-8 win at Mount Olive on Saturday.

With the score tied at 6-6 at halftime, Bal scored all three LEC goals in the third quarter, including the last one when the Storm was down a man, to give his team a 9-7 lead going into the final period.

His other five-goal game came in the final game of the 2012 season against Molloy, giving him 10 goals and 15 points over his last two contests.

Bal is the first Offensive Player of the Week in the inaugural season of the ECAC D2 Lacrosse League. He currently ranks third in the league in total scoring.