Lakers add elite D-man

The Burnaby Lakers made a significant upgrade to its back end with the acquisition of 6-4 defender Matt MacGrotty from the Coquitlam Adanacs.

The New Westminster native comes to Burnaby in exchange for Lakers forward Steven Neufeld and a second-round draft pick in 2018. Neufeld has not played a game with the Lakers this season.

Burnaby is the third Western Lacrosse Association team for MacGrotty, who helped the Langley Thunder go to the Mann Cup in his 2012 rookie year.

The defensive-minded MacGrotty has compiled a total of four goals and seven assists in the summer league but had 50 points as a junior A Salmonbellie in New Westminster. 

MacGrotty also played part of two pro seasons with the Rush franchise in the National Lacrosse League, scooping up 19 loose balls in five regular season games.

In university, MacGrotty started every game in his last three seasons at Bryant and was named to the Northeast conference all-star first team. He was also a conference all-academic selection.

While at Bryant, the senior captain graduated with a career 21 caused turnovers, the second most in the history of the school's field lacrosse program.

MacGrotty will be in the Lakers lineup tonight when Burnaby hosts the Langley Thunder at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. Game time is 7:45 p.m.