Martel returning to Langley roots

A former standout of the Langley Junior Thunder program is back in black.

Ahead of the 2026 Western Lacrosse Association season, the Senior A Thunder have acquired Ryan Martel from the New Westminster Salmonbellies in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2028 WLA Graduating Junior Player Draft. The left-handed forward also competes in the National Lacrosse League with the Vancouver Warriors.

An Aldergrove native, Martel spent his entire junior career with Langley, finishing with more than 40 goals in each of his three seasons and totaling 140 goals and 301 points in 55 career games. His play earned him both the BC Junior A Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year honours in 2017 and the Bob Reid Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2019.

Martel also helped Langley capture the BCLA Intermediate A Provincial Championship in 2016. He was selected by the Burnaby Lakers in the 2020 WLA Draft, played the 2022 season with Burnaby, and was later dealt to New Westminster. In his WLA career, Martel has recorded 53 goals and 129 points in 42 regular-season games, along with eight goals and 12 points in 11 playoff contests.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ryan back to Langley and the Thunder organization,” said Thunder General Manager Remo Spagnuolo. “He’s proven at both the junior, senior and professional levels, and he brings a combination of skill, competitiveness, and leadership that will make us a better team right away. His familiarity with our organization and his continued development at the professional level makes him a great fit for what we are building.”

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