Tapper Protected by BLC Prior to 2026 MSL Entry Draft

By Mark Stehlin

The Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) league 2026 entry draft is scheduled for Saturday January 24, 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.

“Owen Tapper was arguably the best 2-way player on Whitby last year. His ability to play both ends of the floor gives him an advantage and allows him to use his speed in transition. Owen has also helped us a few times in the past as an underage affiliate and did not look out of place at all,” said Prout of his decision to protect Tapper.

Tapper is a Junior with the Robert Morris University (RMU) Colonials men’s lacrosse program. In the 2025 season he was named to the NEC First Team All-Conference and NEC All-Tournament Team. In addition, he played in 17 games making 16 starts.

A number of former BLC players have spent time on the RMU campus playing lacrosse with the Colonials, most recently Will MacLeod.  He left after his Junior year to enter the National Lacrosse League entry draft where he was chosen in the first round, 12th overall by the Halifax Thunderbirds. He is at the University of Guelph this year to complete his degree. In the past, players like Kiel Matisz, Kevin Brownell and Kyle Buchanan all wore the BLC jersey after playing for RMU.

“I have been at RMU for the past three years and am getting good playing time,” said Tapper of his time with the Colonials. 

“I like to lead on the field by example and we look to have a good squad this season,” added Tapper.

Tapper was on the Whitby Warriors team that won the 2022 Minto Cup, along with Littlejohn, Oldman and Kromer.

“I think my style of play as an aggressive defender is one of my strengths. I can be tough on and off the ball. When Shawn Williams coached me with the Warriors he pushed me to rush the ball up the floor on transition and that is something I worked on with the Warriors,” said Tapper.

“I am looking forward to joining BLC and achieve my goal to get to the next level, I am excited to continue to play to the next level,” added Tapper.

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 that will bring fans excitement for the 2026 season.