THE CANADIAN PRESS
2009, 02-27
New Westminster - Head Coach  Bob Salt has agreed to a contract extension  and will get another crack  at taking the New Westminster Sr Salmonbellies to their 25th Mann Cup Title in this their clubs 120th anniversary season.
Salt, who was entering the final season of his current deal, was given a one-year contract extension Friday by general manager Dan Richardson that will keep him with the WLA team through 2009 season..
"I'm thrilled to be back and the fact that Roysie (Troy Poelzer) and  Kenny (Ken Thomas) have signed one year extensions as well bodes well for our chances in the upcoming 2009 season. " All of our players from our Mann Cup 2008 Finalist squad have committed to coming back, so were all here and ready to go.
"I don't intend to let this opportunity  slip by" Salt went on to say from the Press Conference at Schanks Sports Bar in New Westminster." We recently added veteran Scott Stewart and geez, what can I say that already hasn’t been said about young Curtis Manning, the kid can play."
In front of a large supportive Bellies Faithful and local Media Salt, Poelzer and Thomas took a myriad of questions regarding the 2009 squad.
The Salmonbellies steamrolled through the WLA going a combined 25-1 during league and WLA playoffs for 2008. Making their first Mann Cup appearance in over a decade the young Bellies were swept by the Veteran laden Club from Brampton
Assistant Coach and GM Kenny  Thomas told the crowd " Were gonna need a bigger boat, were very excited to get  the season underway, our training camp opens up in less than a month, and our guys are hungry, and that’s a good sign"
Poelzer was asked about his defence by an AP beat reporter " Timber, chop, chop, chop, their beauties aren't they, their young, young , full of……. You get the picture. Our average height on our back end is about 6'5" - 6'6", Big Dave Morgan is  our leader back there, he's a beauty isn't  6' 11" , how would you like to go one on one with him. He's a beauty." 
Richardson, told the media scrum " We have everyone coming back now, our coaches , all of our players, our recent recruits and of course our young guys from the draft, all the pieces are their to make a nice run here in '09." "Our season ticket drive is approaching our target of  over 100 season tickets sold before May 1st , people in New Westminster  are very supportive, and they want to do anything to help, we get phone calls, emails, twitters,  letters, all in support of our club, it's very pleasing to see", he said.
Asked if that was it, are their anymore signings, trades, and Richardson's answer was " we will do what ever is possible, everything moving forward is under review, our Goal from myself, our coaching staff, our Board of Directors, players and Volunteers is to be hoisting a Mann Cup , our 25th Mann Cup on the wooden floor at Queens Park In the first 2 weeks in September 2009.
"We have a bunch of new name sponsors , that I think our fans will recognize and appreciate. Companies are approaching us and wanting to offer assistance to Bring the Cup home, which is nice to see", added Richardson. City Hall, Parks and Rec, Queens Park staff have all bent over backwards to accommodate our club. We play in the best Lacrosse Specific stadium in Canada on the best surface you can play on the Green Wooden floor of QPA.
Home Opener is May 21st vs Coquitlam Adanacs, New West Minor Lacrosse appreciation night, players , parents and siblings of NWMLA players all get in free.
July 16th vs Victoria is the other big promotion for the year its to honor our Canadian Armed Forces and families were calling it Seats for Soldiers.
Season tickets and Family Flex passes are available online at www.salmonbellies.com.