With the NLL season ending, the PLL has been the main focus of the lacrosse world the last two months, but it isn’t the only professional lacrosse being played right now. The Western Lacrosse Association and Major Series Lacrosse are currently in their playoff seasons up north in Canada. Ryan Lanchbury has been having a really strong second season in the MSL and looks primed for a successful opening with the Georgia Swarm next season.
While it seems like it was many years ago, the Georgia Swarm took Ryan Lanchbury with the No.2 overall pick in the 2021 NLL draft. Lanchbury, who played collegiately at Richmond had an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19, decided to return to school and put the NLL off until the 2022-2023 season. Lanchbury had the best statistical season of his NCAA career scoring 40 goals with a career high 41 assists.
During the summer of 2021, he played in the MSL for The Oakville Rock. In five games as an MSL rookie, he scored 10 goals and 19 assists for a 5.8 points per game average. But it’s his play this season for Brooklin Lacrosse Club that has really turned heads. Lanchbury is currently 3rd in the MSL with 43 points in 11 regular season games. He trails Holden Cattoni (who is a veteran NLL player) and his Brooklin teammate Dyson Williams (who is the son of NLL Hall of Famer Shawn Williams). He’s always been a strong performer in the indoor game, even as a younger player he averaged 4.2 points per game as a Burlington Chief in Junior A lacrosse.
The Georgia Swarm may not necessarily be looking for added offensive help, they ranked 4th in the NLL in goals per game, but adding a Lanchbury with Lyle Thompson, Shayne Jackson, and Brendan Bomberry will be great for the soon to be rookie. With defenses focusing on other offensive stars, Lanchbury might have several opportunities at scoring chances next season. Even though Lanchbury has been an exceptional player at Richmond, playing box lacrosse compliments his style of play much more than the field game.
“It’s what I’m better at…in field lacrosse, athleticism is more important because there’s so much space to work. It’s a lot about beating your man, a little more one-on-one rather than a team game. That’s probably the weakest part of my game is the athleticism.”
– Ryan Lanchbury
There is always a learning curve when a player comes from college to the pros, and there still might be some “welcome to the league” moments when Lanchbury enters the NLL this coming season, but Lanchbury has been able to gain valuable experience in the MSL and has really shined this season. Playing with the likes of Lyle Thompson and Shayne Jackson will definitely make life a little easier for the Richmond grad, and with his success early in his professional box career, Lanchbury might quickly live up to the hype as a top draft pick and have a huge impact for the Swarm next season.
