As Logan Schuss weighs his lacrosse options beyond his university career, his parents are expecting things won't be the same this coming summer.
For the past three years, Schuss has returned home from Ohio State University in early June to hold down a summer job, spend quality time with his family and resume his box lacrosse year with the Delta Junior Islanders. That plan could stay somewhat intact after the New Westminster Salmonbellies made him the second overall pick in last week's Western Lacrosse Association Draft.
The Bellies would get their top selection for the final month of the regular season and the playoffs, with plenty on the line this coming season as it's B.C.'s turn to host the Mann Cup national championship. However, everything is pointing towards Schuss putting his WLA career on hold for now and coming back to Ladner for nothing more than a quick visit.
The high-scoring left-hander was also taken 11th overall by the Ohio Machine in the recent Major Lacrosse League. The 12-year-old pro field lacrosse circuit features eight teams - seven in the U.S. and one in Canada - with all located on the east coast except for the Denver Outlaws. The Machine are based out of Delaware, Ohio which is just 48 km north of the OSU campus.
The MLL schedule also coincides with the WLA season, making it nearly impossible to play in both leagues.
"The plan right now is Logan to play for Ohio and see where it goes from there," said his father Ed Schuss. "What seems to drive this league is the equipment companies wanting to promote their products through the top guys coming out of the U.S. college programs. That's where the money is from although it's still not a lot."
Logan began his senior year at Ohio State last Saturday with a 10-point performance, including seven goals, in a 14-8 victory over Detroit. The Delta secondary graduate earned a full-ride scholarship to the Big Ten school and has gone on to become one of the most prolific scorers in the program's history with 165 points in 45 games. He is also thriving in the classroom as a Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and a All-Big Ten Academic selection.
The physical education major will be returning to OSU in the fall to finish his degree. He will also learn about another lacrosse option in October when the National Lacrosse League conducts its draft.
Schuss was part of a big night for the Junior Islanders program with nine graduating players selected. League MVP Mike Mallory was taken eighth overall by Maple Ridge, while defensive standout Cody Hawkins went 12th to the Coquitlam Adanacs. Other picks included: Hamish Brindel (3rd round, Burnaby), Matt Zinn (4th round, New West), Chris Jones (8th round, Maple Ridge), Sean O'Neill (8th round, Burnaby), Nick Kozuback (10th round, Burnaby) and Jamie Malanfant (11th round, Burnaby).
