The Warriors of Vancouver

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The Vancouver Warriors season is now officially concluded, and we can look back on how it went. You may have been scared or worried around the halfway mark of the year as they were near the rock bottom of the standings, at an abysmal record 2-8. Another blooper season was ahead for us Warrior fans, and things were not looking too good for our future. Not making playoffs is a common theme here around Vancouver sports but Head Coach Curt Malawsky is a hometown native and he wants to keep lacrosse in this city, doing whatever it takes.

Momentum had shifted and the Vancouver Warriors picked up the slack and ended up going on a 5 game win streak and winning 6 of their last seven before the final game of the regular season. Those big wins were not just against weaker teams, but they took the motivation they had, they used to grab some big wins over big big names like the defending champions, the Buffalo Bandits. There was a strong chance that this could be that time to shine for Vancouver sports as the Canucks already punched their ticket to the playoffs, and the Warriors looked to follow it up. 

 

Unfortunately, the Vancouver Warriors fell short in a tightly congested battle with the San Diego Seals, losing 16-9. This meant the Warriors would have missed the 2024 playoffs by just a tiny strand of hair. Their final record at the end of the season was 8-10, in which four teams had the same record but only one of them was able to get in. After the loss in San Diego, Curt Malawsky never dwells on losses but only focuses on what’s next in their story. 

“We’ve been on a real good run here winning 6 of the last 7, but you understand what the standard is to be an elite team in the National Lacrosse League…losing stinks but you have to learn from losing. Never ever question our guy’s heart, never ever question their work ethic, and never ever question their passion and how much they care about the front of their shirt. Next time we are in a position like that, a do or die game, it’s a different level. You always have to lose before you start to win… and I think that’s something the guys will take away from it. Should be proud of the run we made” said Malawsky.

If the Warriors began to heat up a tad bit earlier into the season, then we would be watching both Canucks and Warriors playoff games at Rogers Arena, and that would be electric and we will just have to wait for next year.

Missing the playoffs is always less than ideal, but there are positive takeaways from the Warriors season. For instance, the Warriors have not been able to pick up eight or more wins in a season, dating back to 2017, but now that is all different with this year. Curt Malawsky has brought a whole new level of competition back to his hometown, leaving fans like you and I, glued to our seats or standing in the party zone during the whole game. Lacrosse has never been such a lively experience at Rogers Arena until this year, as the barn always was packed and the crowd never let up. I attended 3 games this season, two as a media member, one in the crowd and each of those times I went, I was always so tuned into the game as the music never stops playing and the fans never stop cheering. Head Coach and GM Curt Malawsky is more than proud to have lacrosse in Vancouver.

“We had a really good run and I think we legitimized lacrosse here in Vancouver. We’ve had some tough, thin years and I like to think that fans could appreciate the way we play, the effort, the passion, the dedication, the selflessness, and the support. I don’t think we’d make that run without the support of the fans and I’ll remember those last few games at home and all the fans that were there. We got draft picks in the bag coming…and we’ll try to put a good product forward for the province of British Columbia” said Malawsky. 

The Vancouver Warriors are building towards the future with their young draft talent already making waves on the turf field. Braiden Laity and Owen Grant are two of the young studs that have been able to make their name big when playing. They both have had stellar seasons, even both of them picking up a rookie of the week nod in back to back weeks. Just a couple years back, in 2021 is when we drafted one of the hardest working and dedicated players on the team, with the 4th pick, the Warriors selected Adam Charalambides. If you have seen this guy play, then you would be left in awe with his ability to create open shot opportunities, and move the ball with flawless perfection. Charalambides has been a key factor to the Warriors success this year as he was second on the with points, finishing off two shy away from the 100 point mark, with 98. This was almost double his previous amount of points last season, when he scored 59 points. 

Assistant captain Keegan Bal was tearing up Rogers Arena, and every city the Warriors visited. I can not even count how many games this young star has picked up an hatrick, because there would be way too many to count. Bal was 5th in the whole league in goals scored with 49 shots finding the back of the net. Bal hit many personal milestones throughout the year, as he scored more goals in this season then he has in any other, and the same guess with assists. This was Bal’s first time being a 100 point scorer, and he was one of the most, if not the most, entertaining players to represent the Vancouver Warriors. Bal will continue to be a bright young star for us in the next coming years and use his seniority to help lead the next generation of Warriors players.

Curt Malawsky is a really big reason that the Warriors got themselves into the position that they were. Malawsky is coming off an impressive season with the Calgary Roughnecks, winning the NLL Head Coach Of The Year award. He needed to find a new home this year, and luckily his hometown team, the Vancouver Warriors, had an empty void in the head coach slot. Malawsky is proud to be the bench boss for Vancouver and proud to lead a squad of many talented stars. 

“(They) never quit, stay in the fight is our mantra…I just liked how the guys cared about each other. You know the sacrifices they made for each other. It’s what they did in that room that turned the season around and you know being a part of a group of young men that really care about something and care about each other, really cared about the front of the shirt. I’m really proud of those guys in the room… we had a good run” said Malawsky.

If you are a Vancouver Warriors fan, then do not be too worried that we missed the playoffs this year, because if this is any insight into how well the Warriors will play next season and the years following, then we are in for our treat. Curt Malawsky continues to revitalize the lacrosse landscape in the province of British Columbia, and you better make sure you head to a game next year, tickets are cheap, and watching the Warriors is priceless enjoyment.



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