Littlejohn One of Four Juniors Protected Ahead of Draft

By Mark Stehlin

The Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) 2026 entry draft is scheduled for Sunday January 25, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at BarDown GastroPub at Iroquois Park Sports Centre. Prior to the draft, all seven teams in MSL are permitted to protect up to four graduating juniors from their centres. Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC) General Manager, Gavin Prout protected four members of the Whitby Warriors Junior A squad; Lucas Littlejohn, Owen Tapper, Jack Oldman and Ben Kromer.

“Although these were our four protected graduating Juniors there were so many great players coming out of Whitby I wish we could have protected them all!  I think all the graduating Warriors will have a successful and long tenure in this league when given the chance,” said Prout.

“It was clear to us that Lucas’ stats and leadership speaks for itself. Last season, he led the Junior A league in regular season points (20 games, 49 goals, 69 assists for 118 points, 18 points ahead of Justin Tavares in second). Lucas also led the University of Richmond in points last year. He is an amazing athlete, extremely smart lacrosse player and a consummate professional at his young age. Lucas has helped us in the past as an underage affiliated player and I am looking forward to seeing him continue to improve with the BLC,” added Prout of his decision to protect Littlejohn.

Littlejohn is a Junior with the University of Richmond Spiders men’s lacrosse program. In 2025, he was named to the 2nd Team All Atlantic 10 and, with 40 goals, he led his team in scoring.

“We lost a couple of key pieces, but I think that the team here in Richmond looks good for the 2026 season,” said Littlejohn.

“As a Junior it is my turn to show leadership because at this school only Seniors are captains, so I have to be ready for when my time comes,” he added.

“I try to do all the little things right; I don’t mind mucking it up and can be gritty with loose balls. I like to think that I can contribute with point production,” added Littlejohn when asked what BLC fans can expect of him as a player.

He played four years with the Whitby Warriors and one of his biggest thrills was being a member of the Minto Cup champion team in his rookie year, 2022.

“I was given some great coaching in my four years with the Warriors and learned from some of the older guys like Parker Pipher, Brock Haley and Adam Poitras when I first joined the team. As time went on, I was freed up to play more offense and that paid off to improve my game,” said Littlejohn.

“The Brooklin Lacrosse Club has deep roots in the Durham Region, and I am excited to be able to carry on that legacy. I’ve been called up to play a few games, so I know the players in the system, and I am ready to bring my skills to the table,” he added.

The BLC management, coaching staff and executive are working hard during the off-season to ensure the formation of a successful team on and off the floor and look forward to bringing fans excitement for the 2026 season.