When it comes to producing senior lacrosse players, the Coquitlam junior Adanacs have earned a reputation as a talent factory.

The four-time defending B.C. Junior A champions witnessed the game's graduation celebration this week when four of the team's veterans were selected among the first five picks of the Western Lacrosse Association's Junior Draft.

Beginning with power forward Ben McIntosh, who was chosen first overall by the Maple Ridge Burrards, the junior A's continued to stockpile the senior B.C. circuit with stellar talent.

For McIntosh, going first overall was a great way to cap his junior career.

"It's definitely an honour to go first, there was so much talent in this draft and so many skilled players graduating that it could have gone a number of ways," McIntosh told The NOW in a phone interview from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

McIntosh was part of a strong righthanded shooters group that were deemed potential No. 1 picks - including teammates Robert Church and Marty Dinsdale. Also in the top-pick conversation were lefthanded sniper Logan Schuss of Delta and Brandon Goodwin of New Westminster.

For Maple Ridge, what elevated McIntosh from a pretty heady graduating class was the complete package - talent, experience and the fit.

"I think the greatest asset that Ben brings is he's a natural creaseman, he plays a bit of a bigger role on the floor and goes to that greasy area at the net," Maple Ridge coach and general manager Daren Fridge said. "He'll create space for (Curtis) Dickson, (Tyler) Miotto and (second round pick Mike) Mallory."

Following New West's selection of Schuss, the Salmonbellies doubled-up on their first round bounty by taking Jeff Cornwall. The six-foot-three Coquitlam defender admitted that he didn't see it coming.

"Honestly, when my name was called I was a little surprised," remarked Cornwall. "Being a defensive player and being such a strong draft class I wasn't expecting to go so high. Playing with the class of '91 my whole life I had a different vision of what was going to happen, but I couldn't be more thrilled to be called third by New West."

The Burnaby Lakers couldn't have been happier that Church, an offensive powerhouse from the right side, was available at the fourth spot.

"We took the best player available," Burnaby

coach Rory McDade said. "With Church we're really excited."

That set up the senior Adanacs to take Dinsdale, who won the 2012 BCJLL scoring title. While it was a perfect fit - an offensive righthander from Coquitlam - Adanacs general manager Randy Delmonico admitted that it was tough seeing all the junior A's being picked by rival organizations.

"We're very happy to have Marty Dinsdale," noted Delmonico. "The role he's playing in Calgary is defensive transition guy, and he can stay out on offence. We were very disappointed that there weren't more Coquitlam kids there (at No. 5). The three righthanders were all really great players - Dinsdale, Church and McIntosh."

In all, 10 members of the 2012 Adanacs were selected.

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