The Maple Ridge Burrards added some depth up front this week with the addition of attacker Simon Giourmetakis. The Burrards parted ways with a third-round draft pick to sign the 22-year-old, who was drafted by Langley last year in the fifth round.
“He’s a solid kid, and he comes with great character references,” said Burrards coach and general manager Daren Fridge. “He fits that banger-type role, and he gives us flexibility, because he can play a lot of roles.”
At six-foot, 200 pounds, Fridge said he hopes the young utility player will give the team another option up front and help create space for the team’s other attackers.
Giourmetakis didn’t suit up for Langley last season, instead playing his senior year with the NCAA Division 1 Canisius College Golden Griffins field lacrosse team in Buffalo.
Giourmetakis was named a conference all-star after leading the Griffins with 34 points (22 goals, 12 assists) in 12 games, and had the top shooting percentage among all NCAA starters, with .511.
Originally from Edmonton, Giourmetakis was captain of the Edmonton Eclipse junior A team, where he put up 114 points in 32 regular season games in 2008 and 2009.
In 2010, Giourmetakis was part of the Minto Cup-winning Coquitlam Adanacs junior A squad, where he scored 14 points in eight regular season games, as well as four points in three games in the playoffs.
He’ll be in familiar company with the Burrards, who feature a strong contingent from the 2010 national championship team including Riley Loewen, Garrett McIntosh, and goaltender Chris Seidel, as well as recent draftees David Joyce, Tom Seeman and Brandon Bertoia.
The Burrards announced the trade Monday night at the 2012 Western Lacrosse Association junior draft.
There the Burrards picked up a number of young players, including David Joyce (first round, fourth overall), Daniel Amesbury (second round, 11th overall), Brandon Bertoia (fourth round, 25th overall), goalie Blake Duncan (fifth round, 32nd overall), Colton Porter (sixth round, 39th overall), Blake Mattinson (seventh round, 46th overall), Tom Seeman (eighth round, 53rd overall), Scott Constable (ninth round, 60th overall), Jonathon Rakic (10th round, 67th overall), and Devon Wilson (11th round, 74th overall).
Giourmetakis and the Burrards are slated to hit the rink for training camp in late April.
The Burrards open the 2012 Western Lacrosse Association season Sunday, May 20, at home at Planet Ice against the Coquitlam Adanacs. Game time is 6:45 p.m.
