Deals add Phillips brothers, Watson

Langley Thunder's Connor Watson drives to the net during Western Lacrosse Association action versus Nanaimo last month. Watson returns to the Thunder after having played his junior lacrosse in Langley He is one of three new players brought in by the team in a series of trades. Ryan Molag photo

A pair of trades with the Burnaby Lakers have brought three new players to the Langley Thunder, including two former Thunder junior standouts.

The Thunder acquired brothers Gordie and Stuart Phillips from the Lakers in exchange for Kordell Primus, Tyson Johnson, Chase Schiavon and a 2031 first-round pick. The move comes on the heels of a trade last month that saw Langley acquire Connor Watson from Burnaby, with Ben Gagnon and Finn Halladay going the other way.

“All three are proven competitors who will strengthen our lineup and help us continue building toward our goals this season,” said Thunder President Ken Buchan.

Watson played intermediate and junior lacrosse with his hometown Thunder, helping Langley capture the 2016 BC Intermediate Lacrosse League provincial championship. In his final two Junior A seasons, he recorded 41 goals and 118 points in 38 games before being selected by the Lakers in the first round (third overall) of the 2021 Western Lacrosse Association Draft.

Stuart Phillips captained the Junior Thunder and, in his final season, won the BC Junior A Lacrosse League's John Urban Award as the Top Graduating Player. He was selected by the Senior Thunder as a Territorial Protection pick in the WLA Draft but was later traded to Burnaby as part of the future considerations from an earlier Langley deal.

Both Watson and Stuart Phillips are right-handed forwards who should aid the offence while Gordie Phillips is a right-handed defender also adept at taking face-offs and sparking the transition game.

Gordie Phillips was selected by the Nanaimo Timbermen in the second round of the 2018 WLA Draft and has since played for Nanaimo, Maple Ridge and Burnaby. During his time with the Lakers, he earned league recognition on multiple occasions, winning the Value, Sportsmanship and Volunteerism Award in 2023 and sharing the Unsung Hero Award the following season. He was also named the Arena Lacrosse League West Most Valuable Player in 2022.

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