The Stealth have moved to Vancouver bringing the National Lacrosse League their second team ever in British Columbia. I spoke with general manager Doug Locker about the move.1. How long has this been in the works?
Conversations began about two weeks after the NLL Championship game
2. What played into this decision?
It was an economic decision. We were growing at a much slower rate than we had hoped in Washington despite three Championship Game appearances. We worked with the Langley Events Centre and put together an agreement that really represents a great partnership with the building that we believe will give the franchise the long term stability we all wanted
3. Do you feel like Vancouver is a market that will thrive in the NLL?
I believe it’s a great market, and the time seems right to reintroduce the NLL.
4. Do you think Washington will ever get a team back?
I certainly hope so the sport and interest in box lacrosse are growing very rapidly in the region. We will continue our camps and junior stealth programs there because the interest is so high
5. How will this affect off season acquisitions?
Being 100 percent honest I haven’t spent much time thinking about that….all the effort has been working to try to get things prepared to launch. Obviously we are a western Canadian team so the preference would be on the west, but we are also committed to winning the Champions Cup and would be interested in any player who we feel would help us accomplish that
