WARRIORS SELECT FIVE PLAYERS AT THE 2025 NLL DRAFT

Vancouver, B.C. – The Vancouver Warriors selected a total of five players in the 2025 NLL Draft on Saturday, September 6, including Mic Kelly 19th overall (round two), Nathan Miller 31st overall (round two), Jaden Laberge 58th overall (round four), Ben Gagnon 72nd overall (round five), and Boris Maksimenko 86th overall (round six). 

 

Kelly, 22, appeared in 14 games during the 2025 season with the Denver Pioneers (NCAA) posting 35 points (27-8-35) and five caused turnovers. In 60 games across four years at Denver, the 6’2”, 210lbs transition player posted 94 points (30-64-94) and 11 caused turnovers. Kelly also suited up for the Boston Cannons after being drafted 12th overall into the PLL and put up five points (3-2-5) and three ground balls across five games. A Towson, MD native, Kelly was named a USA Lacrosse Magazine Third Team All-American, the BIG EAST Preseason All-Conference, and the BIG EAST First Team, all in 2025.

 

“He's a phenomenal athlete, kind of like Ryan Terefenko, or Connor Kirst,” said Curt Malawsky, General Manager and Head Coach, Vancouver Warriors. “Very athletic, very physical, and can get up and down the floor. We’re super excited to see him at 19th overall.”

 

Miller, 21, played in 14 games for the Coquitlam Jr. A Adanacs in 2025, posting two points (1-1-2). The 6’3”, 190lbs defenceman also appeared in 10 playoff games, registering two points (0-2-2), and six Minto Cup games, recording three points (1-2-3), helping Coquitlam capture their second consecutive Minto Cup. A Coquitlam, BC native, has posted 10 points (2-8-10) and eight penalty minutes across 33 career games with the Adanacs, adding three points (1-2-3) and four penalty minutes in 17 playoff contests and three points (1-2-3) in 10 Minto Cup games. 

“He's a Coquitlam product and a two-time Minto Cup champion,” said Malawsky. “I've watched him play in some really high-end, important lacrosse games for national championships. 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. To have him there at that time, I thought it was a big pickup for us.”

Laberge, 21, suited up for 17 games with the Delta Islanders (Jr. A) during the 2025 season, posting 15 points (5-10-15) and eight penalty minutes. He also appeared in 10 games with the Grizzlies Lacrosse Club (ALL West), scoring nine points (3-6-9) and four penalty minutes, as well as one game with the Maple Ridge Burrards of the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA). In 59 career games with Delta across five seasons, the 5’11” transition player has registered 42 points (13-29-42) and 61 penalty minutes. The Maple Ridge, BC native has also played in 21 career ALL West games with the Grizzlies Lacrosse Club, posting 19 points (4-15-19) and six penalty minutes.

“I've known Jaden for a long, long time. I coached him in minor, which is a cool story. He had a really good junior career in Delta and in the ALL,” said Malawsky. “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 great first pass out of his own end. He really gets transition going and plays with an edge. It's a big pickup for us.” 

Gagnon, 21, played in 12 games with the Langley Thunder (Jr. A) during the 2025 season, recording seven points (4-3-7) and two penalty minutes, as well as six games with the Shooting Eagles Lacrosse Club (ALL West), registering four points (1-3-4) and four penalty minutes. In 56 career Jr. A games, split between the Langley Thunder and Burnaby Lakers, the 5’9”, 165lbs defenceman has scored 49 points (25-24-49) and 22 penalty minutes. The Maple Ridge, BC native has also suited up for 18 career ALL West games, all with the Shooting Eagles Lacrosse Club, posting 15 points (4-11-15) and eight penalty minutes.

“Ben Gagnon is another Maple Ridge product. He played Langley Junior A and having these local products and playing the B.C. Junior Lacrosse League is huge for growing the game,” said Malawsky. “A left-handed defenceman and transition guy, another guy that can stay and play offence if he needs to and is very reliable. He’s had a great career so far in the ALL and had a really good five years of junior lacrosse. We're excited to be able to get him.”

Maksimenko, 18, appeared in 16 games with the New Westminster Salmonbellies (Jr. A) in 2025, posting an 8-7 record with a 9.89 goals-against average and an .813 save percentage. The 5’10”, 170lbs goaltender from Port Moody, BC has suited up for 33 career Jr. A games, all with New Westminster, holding a 14-16 record with a 10.36 goals-against average and an .806 save percentage.

“Before we picked him, we called Christian Del Bianco, and Christian said nothing but good things about his work ethic,” said Malawsky. “I watched him play Junior A this year, he had a good year, and his ceiling is really high. He's got three more years of junior lacrosse here, and it was great to draft another local guy.”