The Ladner Pioneers have acquired National Lacrosse League star Ryan Benesch.
The 34-year-old Kitchener Ont. native is one of the most prolific scorers in the history of box lacrosse — compiling 1,010 points in 206 NLL games. Last season, he produced 97 points in 18 games between Colorado and Rochester.
The Pioneers purchased Benesch’s playing rights from the Oakville Rock of Ontario’s Major Series Lacrosse League. He will make his Ladner debut on Sunday night in Coquitlam and will play two more regular season games — July 11 at home against Langley and two days later in Nanaimo.
That game on the Island is shaping up to be a big one after the Timbermen handed the Pioneers an 8-5 loss on Wednesday.
Ladner (10-2-0) holds a slim one point lead, but Nanaimo (9-2-1) is 2-0 in the season series and have now defeated Ladner five straight games, dating back to the West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association finals last August.
“We were already in discussions with Oakville, but let’s just say it solidified the deal,” said Ladner head coach Ross Frehlick. “We were just not good on offence. We went mainly with seven guys and only about two of them showed up.”
The addition of Benesch gives the Pioneers a significant Ontario flavour as they not only try to return to the President’s Cup for the third straight year, but win it in a season dedicated to former player Thomas Haydon who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer last October.
Benesch joins Zach Herreweyers and Luke Wiles who were earlier required by the club.
NLL stars playing senior “B” is nothing new and has almost become a required ingredient to be a national champion.
Benesch won a President’s Cup when he played for Owen Sound in 2009. Last season, Nanaimo signed Saskatchewan Rush star Jeff Shattler and Cory Conway as President’s Cup hosts.
The Pioneers originally hoped some B.C. born WLA standouts would take the season off to help them with their President’s Cup push. When none of those potential signings materialized it was on to Plan “B” and turning their attention back east.
“We are trying to do something special for Thomas and this is what this season is all about,” said Frehlick. “We have 32 guys right now and seven soon won’t be with us when we have to take our roster down 25. We are hoping they will play with our ‘C’ team and then be back with us next year.”
The club has also reached agreement with the WLA Langley Thunder for veteran goalie Dan Lewis who will make his Pioneers debut next week.
Ladner last won the President’s Cup in 2004 when Haydon was a member of the team.
