Ken Wood may need to trade in his trademark straw fedora for a pith helmet.

The former vice-president and general manager of the Coquitlam junior A Adanacs is returning to the sport, this time as the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League president.

He was confirmed in that position during the B.C. Lacrosse Association's annual general meeting last month.

"This should be exciting, I'm really looking forward to helping steer the league in a more profitable direction," the Coquitlam resident told The NOW. "Awhile back I was asked if I'd consider serving as president. I gave it some thought and have agreed to do it."

Wood ran the junior Adanacs program - which included all four A and B junior and intermediate clubs - for eight years before turning over the reins after the 2011 season.

He is eager to roll up his sleeves and working with the league governors and a new commissioner - when one is found, that is.

Wood replaces Al Lang, who held both positions during the past season after the resignation of commissioner Don Scott.

Wood was first offered the commissioner's post - which deals with on-floor items such as disciplinary issues and scheduling - but chose to accept the president role where he could use his business experience to take on the league's administrative and corporate sponsorship challenges.

"Let's face it - you don't have a lot of people lining up to fill these volunteer positions," said Wood. "There will be a lot of meetings, but I'm looking forward to it."

Despite moving on from the Adanacs a year ago, he spent the past eight months chairing the league's strategic development committee, which looked at ways the eight-team circuit could improve its fiscal foundation.

"We did the strategic plan and I served as the chair," noted Wood. "The role of the president is to look after more of the administrative duties for the league, how to raise money through sponsorships, partnerships, recording trades and players' lists, and being the main contact for the league for the media."

While the league has benefited from an increase in on-floor parity over the past two seasons, attendance continues to be a struggle league-wide. Raising the circuit's profile through promotion and linking with corporate sponsors are areas where Wood feels he can best help.

"Definitely on the corporate side, nothing is happening. The sky's the limit right now."

The BCJLL governors also voted to reinstate the Junior Entry Draft for 2013, after a two-year hiatus after a contentious vote by B.C. lacrosse members. Eligible players will be midget graduates from Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island associations that are not home to junior A franchises.

Wood was a huge proponent of the draft

in its previous province-wide incarnation - which was cancelled after four years when interior and northern junior B clubs voted to quash what they considered a talent raid.

"For the period we had it, you started to see the payback

when teams like Langley and Delta used the draft to bolster their programs. It was an important tool to help divvy up available talent."