Two Bellies Headed to Mann Cup

While the Salmonbellies’ loss to the Shamrocks in the WLA semifinals ended the team’s season, a new Mann Cup rule means that two Bellies are still going to play for this year’s national Senior A championship.

Will Malcom and Mike Messenger have been added to the Shamrocks roster as “call-up” players, under new provisions that allow up to 3 additional players to be added to the WLA's Mann Cup representative.

Bellies fans know Malcom and Messenger very well.  Malcom was this year’s WLA Most Valuable Player and a First Team All-Star.  The leftie attackman dominated in every offensive category, finishing the season with the league’s highest points (112), goals (52), assists (60) and points-per-game (6.2).  And Malcom managed a 4.4 ppg in the WLA semifinals against Victoria.  In the winter, Malcom is a member of the NLL Colorado Mammoth.

Mike Messenger is considered one of the best defensive players in lacrosse.  He's played in the Premier Lacrosse League in 2023 and 2024 as a short-stick defensive midfielder, then returned to the Belles each year.  This year, he played seven regular season WLA games, achieving an astonishing 69.9% face-off win rate.  Not only does Messenger dominate at the dot, he can also score in transition and is a force in the corners.  He earned 2.3 points-per-game, including a number of highlight reel goals.  Whether he’s delivering a hard hit, blocking a shot, recovering a difficult loose ball, or scoring a timely goal, Messenger always adds an inspirational ingredient to any team.  Messenger also plays in the National Lacrosse League as a longtime member of the Saskatchewan Rush.

The new provisions were added to the Mann Cu- agreement to improve parity at lacrosse's senior level.  The provision allows up to 3 players to be added by the Western Lacrosse Association representative, due to the lower concentration of minor and junior lacrosse across in BC.  While the Major Series Lacrosse league has the same number of teams as the WLA, there are far more minor players and feeder teams in Ontario, including 3 more junior A teams and 15 more Junior B.

From the perspective of the two clubs’ GMs and the WLA Commissioner, this is a win-win arrangement.  Chris Welch, GM of the Shamrocks said “Will and Mike are both elite players, and we’re very excited to add them to our lineup.  We’re grateful to the Salmonbellies for their help in making it happen.” Bellies GM Ray Porcellato sees an upside in the move for both the league and his team.  “Anytime you can give players experience at the championship level, it's a good thing.  And, these new policies are going to help the West overall, which is vital for ourleague.”  Commissioner Paul DalMonte and the WLA Board of Governors have been working toward the new rule over the last few seasons, so it is a millstone moment to see  western teams working together to bring the Mann Cup to BC.

In order for players to be added to the Western team’s roster , both the lending team and the players must agree to the call up and only the WLA competitor can add players. The players’ rights remain with their regular team after the Mann Cup.  The rules allow up to three players to be added, but no word on whether the Shamrocks expect to add anyone in that third spot.  

The 2024 Mann Cup will be played against the Six Nations Chiefs at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve.  The best-of-seven series begins Sept 6.  Broadcast information is not yet known but will be posted here when announced. 

Both of this year’s Mann Cup competitors had undefeated regular seasons (Victoria 18-0; Chiefs 11-0), with both experiencing two losses in their league playoffs.  Both teams feature some of the game’s best players, and most are expecting a very hard-fought series.  The Chiefs last won the Mann Cup in 2023, while the Shamrocks last hoisted the Cup in 2015.  The series will mark the ten-year anniversary of the last visit by Victoria to the ILA in 2014.  That series saw the Chiefs emerge with a 4 games to 2 victory.  

Winning the Mann Cup in the East has proven a challenge for western teams, with the last example dating back to 1986 when New West beat Brooklin.  The addition of two Salmonbellies all-stars should give the Shamrocks a fighting chance of renewing that feat in 2024.