Lacrosse Legends

Al Lewthwaite was a giant on the lacrosse floor in stature, strength and talent. But like Achilles of mythical antiquity, Big Al Lewthwaite had his weakness: a battered knee that hobbled his career. Born in New Westminster on October 15, 1950, Lewthwaite developed his box lacrosse skills in the Royal City’s Sapperton district, but by age 15 he was considered too big to continue playing at the Juvenile level. Instead, he lined up with the New Westminster Junior B team that captured the 1966 Canadian championship in Port Arthur. The following year, Lewthwaite joined the Junior A Salmonbellies, which made unsuccessful challenges for the 1967 and 1968 Minto Cups. Meanwhile, he found the Senior ‘bellies coveting his talents. In his first Senior contest in 1967 (he was not yet 17 years old) he scored two goals. After the 1968 Minto Cup series, he played a pivotal role in the ‘bellies’ National Lacrosse Association professional championship victory over Detroit. By 1969, Lewthwaite was 6’3”, 230-lbs, fleet of foot,