The Langley Thunder have the western rights to Mark Matthews after they made him the fifth overall pick last season. However, his overall rights currently belong to Major Series Lacrosse’s Brooklin Redmen.
The Thunder have won the Western Lacrosse Association for two years in a row, and Matthews says he wants to play for them. However, Brooklin is refusing to release him.
Matthews has scored 37 goals with the Edmonton Rush this NLL season, setting a franchise record. The former number one overall pick has been as excellent as he has been expected to be, which is why Langley wants him so badly.
He expressed in an email interview to The Province that he has planned to play with Langley for two years now, but it’s up to Brooklin to release him. He says that he hopes he can play in Langley this summer.
Matthews is also a member of the New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse, so how Canadian box lacrosse will affect that remains to be seen. Brookin GM Wayne Colley says they are waiting for him in Brooklin with open arms.
The Thunder could use a scorer like Matthews since they won’t have Lewis Ratcliff this summer due to suspension.
