Had a concussion not cost Brett Dobray nearly half the season, Langley Junior Thunder general manager Brock Rose is convinced that Brett Dobray could have captured even more league recognition.
Dobray was leading the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League in scoring after a dozen games before a concussion sidelined him for the rest of the regular season. He did return for a pair of post-season games.
Until his injury, the 18-year-old rookie sniper with the Thunder had notched 26 goals and 46 points. At that pace, he would have contended for the league scoring title, rookie of the year consideration and perhaps even been a nominee for most valuable player in the league.
His 26 goals were still tops on Langley.
Dobray was the recipient of the league’s most sportsmanlike player award when the winners were announced on Friday.
“I think Brett is on pace to be considered one of the elite players in our league,” Rose predicted.
What sets Dobray apart is what all elite players have working in their favour: superior vision and an ability to see a play develop before it happens.
“Brett just sees things so rapidly and he can develop things that other people cant even anticipate happening.”” Rose described.
“Just think of all the super star players in any league: they are dealing with a pentium computer chip that operates faster than everybody else. They see the play develop well before anyone else and that is Brett.”
Dobray said although he would trade having played a full season over winning an award, it is a nice recognition.
“It is nice that everybody still noticed me and the type of player I am,” he said.
The 18-year-old has played the game since he was five, moving up through the ranks of the Langley Minor Lacrosse Association.
Playing the game was a given as he followed in the footsteps of his father Paul, and his uncles.
Dobray said he loved it right away, especially as a goal scorer.
“Every time you score a goal, it is an exciting feeling,” he said.
And scoring goals have never been a problem for Dobray.
He led the B.C. Intermediate Lacrosse League in 2011 with 68 goals and was second with 99 points in 23 games.
Despite his proven track record for finding the back of the net, Dobray was still a little surprised for his immediate success at the junior A level.
“The guys are obviously bigger and stronger (at this level),” he said.
Dobray, who graduated from Langley Secondary in 2011, is hoping to land a field lacrosse scholarship to a U.S. college.
He will be back next season for his second year with the junior A Thunder.