Warriors Continue to Build Through the Draft
The Vancouver Warriors used the 2025 NLL Entry Draft to strengthen the right side of the floor, adding depth at transition and defence while keeping their identity rooted in size, athleticism, and physical play.
Warriors’ Head Coach and General Manager Curt Malawsky and his staff looked for the best player available at each pick. They made five selections, including two second-round picks, targeting players who can contribute on both ends of the floor and bring versatility to the lineup.
By bolstering the right-hand side and adding players with ties to the local lacrosse community, the Warriors continue to emphasize a long-term approach, leaning heavily on homegrown talent, with four of their five picks coming from the Lower Mainland.
“We got the guys we wanted, we checked the boxes with Mic and got the three local products that we wanted. Adding Nathan Miller, a two-time Minto Cup champ is huge for us too. So overall, we're pretty happy with where we are, and it's going to be exciting to get the season going.” Malawsky said.
Mic Kelly was selected 19th overall in the NLL draft played in 60 career games for Denver University as an offensive midfield, finishing with 94 points (64G, 30A), and collected 37 ground balls and had 11 caused turnovers. The Towson, Maryland native is the only non-B.C. player the Warriors selected in this year’s draft.
The right-handed transition was selected 12th overall by the PLL’s Boston Cannons, scoring five points (3G, 2A) in five games.
"He's a phenomenal athlete, kind of like Ryan Terefenko, or Connor Kirst, just very athletic, very physical, and can get up and down the floor," Malawsky said.
Coquitlam B.C.’s Nathan Miller was drafted 31st overall and is a back-to-back Minto Cup champion with the Coquitlam Adanacs. Selecting the 6’3”, 190-pound defenceman keeps with the identity of the Warriors defensive group.
"He's an excellent player, physical, got great size, right-handed defenceman, kind of like our captain [Brett] Mydske, he's kind of like a succession plan for us,” Malawsky said.
Fourth-round pick Jaden Laberge hails from Maple Ridge, B.C. and played for the Delta Islanders (Junior A), Grizzlies Lacrosse Club (ALL West) and one game for the Maple Ridge Burrards in the WLA.
Malawsky coached Laberge in minor lacrosse and is another transition player that impacts the game on both ends of the floor.
"He's an athletic guy that can get up and down the floor, he could stay and play offence if he needs to and defends really well. He's got a great stick, and a great first pass out of his own end. He really gets transition going and plays with an edge. So, it's a big pickup for us," Malawsky said.
Ben Gagnon, 21, played with the Langley Thunder (Jr. A) and the Shooting Eagles Lacrosse Club (ALL West) during the 2025 season. The Maple Ridge product was the Thunder’s MVP this season.
Similarly to Laberge, Gagnon has been coached by the Warriors bench boss; Malawsky was an Assistant Coach for the Thunder this past season and bringing players into the fold that have an understanding of drills and systems is advantageous.
"Benny Gagnon, is a left-handed defenceman, transition guy, and another guy that can stay and play offence if he needs to, and is very reliable,” said Malawsky.
Goaltender Boris Maksimenko, 18, played for the New Westminster Salmonbellies (Jr. A) this season. The Port Moody, native was given the stamp of approval by a fellow goaltender with the Warriors.
"Before we picked him, we called Christian Del Bianco, and Christian said nothing but good things about his work ethic,” Malawsky said. “I watched him play Junior A this year, he had a good year, and his ceiling is really high."
With a blend of proven NCAA talent and accomplished players from Junior A and ALL West programs across the Lower Mainland, the Warriors’ 2025 draft class reflects a balance of immediate potential and long-term vision.