The Pacific North West Junior Lacrosse League had their 2024 All Star game in Parksville on June 22 and six Cowichan Jr B Thunder players were in attendance, including three rookies.
"With an increase of talent but no additional Junior A or B1 programs; the skill and athleticism in the PNWJLL has improved, creating some great lacrosse this season and an increase in attendance at many games," said the league during the roster announcement.
Cowichan's additions were Easton Jubenville, Addison Urquhart, and Jake Norman for Team Black, and Nate Akhurst, Xander McCaffery, and Kaelem Gray, for Team White.
When the final whistle blew, the score was deadlocked at 16-16 and a shootout was required to find a winner. Eventually Team Black came out on top.
The three rookies Cowichan sent to the event: Jubenville, Akhurst, and Urquhart, all found the score-sheet during the game.
Urquhart, the league's rookie scoring leader with 41 points in 10 games, led the way with three goals (one shootout goal), and three assists. Akhurst potted a pair of goals and a pair of helpers. Jubenville also pitched in with a goal.
"They did well of course," said Jr. B Thunder head coach Bill Sanderson. "We sent the three rookies that are putting up the bulk of our points this year and then a couple of last-year players (Kaelem and Xander). They've both been raised in the Cowichan Valley Lacrosse Association. They're all good kids."
With five more regular season games to go in the next couple of weeks, the Thunder aren't exactly where they want to be, but it's not for a lack of hard work.
"We've got a bunch of first-year players still getting into the groove," Sanderson noted. "We definitely have the potential to be one of the top teams though and our entire roster of players show up to every practice and show a willingness to improve."