Keegan Bal embraces the warrior mentality

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The Vancouver Warriors shocked the lacrosse world when they traded for 2023 National Lacrosse League MVP Christian Del Bianco at this year’s trade deadline. The trade sparked a six-game winning streak for the Warriors to close out their regular season and make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. At that time, they were known as the Vancouver Stealth. They lost to the Colorado Mammoth in the first round, 13–12. Only two players on this current Warriors squad were on that team, veteran defenceman Matt Beers and Keegan Bal. Bal only played three minutes in that game. It’s safe to say he’s come a long way since then.

Bal is the leader and focal point of the Warriors’ offence and is one of the biggest reasons the club won their first playoff game in franchise history. Growing up in Coquitlam, lacrosse was rooted in Bal since he was a kid. He says going to Coquitlam Adanacs games and being able to meet his lacrosse idols helped solidify his passion for the game.

“I grew up watching the Adanacs, and they had players like John Grant Jr, Josh Sanderson, Colin Doyle, that I idolized and being able to go to those games every Friday or Saturday night, and how accessible lacrosse is, being able to go in their dressing room, meet them, get autographs that was a big pull for me.”

Head coach and general manager Curt Malawsky often praises Bal’s incredible work ethic, and rightfully so. Bal starts training at five o’clock in the morning and credits his idol NBA legend Kobe Bryant, for where he got his training regimen from.

“I watched (Kobe’s) documentary growing up, Kobe Bryant’s Muse and I read his book that he wrote himself, and I think that had a big effect on how I approached the game in terms of the work.”

It’s safe to say Bal takes lacrosse pretty seriously. But like every other player in the NLL, he works a full-time job. So how does Bal maintain a career and play at an elite level?

“I think you choose your focuses in life, and you decide what you’re willing to give up and what you’re not. So for me, my life is lacrosse, my work and my family. I don’t really do anything else. I don’t have any hobbies. So from that standpoint, I choose to go all in on the things that I really love.”

Bal recorded back-to-back 100-point seasons, the first time that’s been done in Warriors history. He also recorded his 200th career goal and was named team MVP in back-to-back seasons as well. Across the league, he’s known as one of the most humble superstars. You can tell from his post-game interviews — he means all business, all the time. He still acknowledges his individual accomplishments but has a team-first attitude.

“I think (the accolades) are special because it’s proof of the countless hours and hard work you put in, but it’s not why you play the game. Obviously it’s a team sport and we are focused on winning.”

Keegan Bal is the longest-tenured Warrior. He has been through all the tough sledding this organization has endured and is now an integral part of this team in pursuit of a championship. Bal says it’s a special thing to play for only one franchise his whole career.

“As an athlete you might dream of playing for one franchise your whole career, but rarely is that a thing. For myself to be trusted by the Aquilini family and then this franchise for a long time that’s a really special feeling.”

Bal’s success over the course of his career shouldn’t come as a surprise with his work ethic and passion for lacrosse. The Warriors are going to need him to continue his stellar play if they hope to end this season with championship rings on their fingers.