It’s official: Victoria gets pro soccer in 2019
GAME DAY: VICTORIA AT NANAIMO, 7 P.M.
The Victoria Shamrocks are getting an engine overhaul, from front to back, for a pair of weekend Western Lacrosse Association games.
Defenceman Steve Priolo brings his all-around, two-way game back to the Shamrocks, beginning tonight in the Island derby at Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo against the Timbermen, and Sunday at 6 p.m. at The Q Centre, against the defending WLA champion New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Also in the lineup this weekend will be Rob Hellyer, one of the most prolific offensive talents currently in the sport, with 154 goals and 426 points in 89 career games with the Toronto Rock of the professional NLL. The undersized but dynamic 25-year-old from Lion’s Head, Ont., amassed 145 points in just 44 games in Senior A with Oakville of the Ontario Major Series. He had 449 points in 122 Junior A games over four seasons with the Orangeville, Ont., Northmen and led them to the Minto Cup national junior championship in 2012.
The Shamrocks inked Hellyer in the off-season while Priolo’s return was announced Friday.
This will be Priolo’s third season in Victoria after the imposing six-foot-five, 235-pound defender helped lead the Shamrocks to the Mann Cup national title in 2015 and was named WLA second-team all-star last year.
“Steve Priolo brings experience and a physical presence, and leadership both on and off the floor,” said Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes.
The 29-year-old from St. Catharines, Ont., is getting married this year.
“I play for the Shamrocks not only for the Island lifestyle, but for the feeling of family that the Shamrocks give me,” said Priolo, in a statement.
He turned to lacrosse after playing basketball for the University of Windsor Lancers.
Priolo was a dual-sport star, in hoops at Holy Cross Secondary, and also in Junior A lacrosse for his hometown St. Catharines Athletics.
It was after his freshman basketball season in the CIS (now U Sports) for Windsor that he was selected 21st overall by the Buffalo Bandits in the 2009 pro NLL draft. He transferred to play field lacrosse at Brock University and has been focused on lacrosse since, going on to win gold with Canada at the 2015 box lacrosse world championships in Syracuse and Buffalo, New York.
The Shamrocks opened the season with a 13-11 home victory last week.
“The week off since has given us time to adjust some stuff, particularly on the power play,” said Heyes.
Nanaimo, which has missed the playoffs 10 consecutive seasons, is 1-2 to start the 2018 season. Defending league-champion New Westminster is 2-0. That gives the Shamrocks a bit of everything to contend with in their back-to-back weekend set.
“Nanaimo is improving, they have won a game and played New Westminster tough in a loss, and there is more parity around the league,” said Heyes.