Walt Weaver

The Richmond Roadrunners came out of nowhere to surprise everyone in their inaugural 1971 season. From a team that nearly folded the previous year in South Vancouver and relocated to Richmond to winning the Minto Cup in arguably the best junior lacrosse series ever played in Canada, the Roadrunners caught everyone off guard in an unlikely season for the ages.

No one saw it coming as coach Ron Phillips’ Roadrunners lost the season’s first five games. But Richmond lived up to its nickname with a feisty, young team built on speed led by the Tasker, Pinder, and Bregani brothers. The team began winning and finished the Pacific Junior A Lacrosse League season in second place with a 14-10 record. Crowds grew in size and craziness at Minoru Arena, christened ‘The Zoo,’ as Roadrunners fever caught fire.

After disposing of New Westminster in the semifinals, Richmond met heavily-favoured Burnaby Cablevision in the BC final. Moved to New West’s Queens Park Arena to accommodate the large crowds, the Roadrunners won the heart-stopping seventh game 14-12 in overtime, the fourth game of the series requiring OT.

The Minto Cup Canadian Junior A championship was also held at Queens Park and again Richmond was the heavy underdog. Electric crowds of 5000 fans saw Richmond and the Peterborough PCOs split the first six games. The series had it all: highlight reel goals, stellar goaltending, three more overtime thrillers, plus brawls, referees requiring police protection, even an octopus tossed onto the floor.

In Game 7 it took six goals from Richmond’s Walt Weaver, including two in overtime, for the Roadrunners to emerge victorious 13-11, marking western Canada’s first Minto Cup in nine years. Roadrunners goaltender Ted Gernaey was named the series MVP, while Dave Tasker led all scorers with 38 points.

Many credit the ensuing surge in BC minor lacrosse registrations to the widespread interest generated by Richmond’s stirring victory.

Written and researched by Jason Beck, Curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

Team Members: Stan Ackerman (public relations), Ed Ashcroft, Barry Atkinson, Chuck Bourne, Gary Bregani, Jim Bregani, Jack Buchanan, Bill Clearie, Randy Crowe (president), Roy Crowe, Larry Dean, Dave Durante, Mal Follis (secretary-treasurer), Ted Gernaey, Bob Holmes, Doug May, Grant Macauley, Harvey Olsen, Gord Osinchuk, Tom Penway, Larry Phillips (team manager), Ron Phillips (coach and general manager), Gerry Pinder, Ron Pinder, Mike Safianuk, Pat Safianuk, Butch Skirzyk (assistant coach), Mike Smith, Fred Sutton (equipment manager), Bob Tasker, Brian Tasker, Dave Tasker, Bob Taylor (trainer), Dave Taylor, Gil Tetrault, Lyle Trowski, Walt Weaver, Sandy Wheelhouse.

May 30, 2010

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

“Pride and Tradition” isn’t something taken lightly by the New Westminster Salmonbellies Lacrosse Organization. As one of the longest running and most established clubs in the country the ‘Bellies believe lacrosse is lived and breathed in their city, and their history proves it.

Walt Weaver with the famous original green wood floor behind him.[/caption]

Tuesday night on the famous green floor of Queen’s Park Arena, one of the ‘Bellies former stars and current executives will have his #6 jersey officially retired. Walt Weaver played five years total for New Westminster (1968-1972) and in the last three of those years led his team as captain. Playing a total of 105 games in his Junior career is a milestone he still holds, and it puts him fifth overall in Junior ‘A’ games played in the BCJALL.

In those five years Weaver put up an impressive 419 total points which leaves him second overall for the ‘Bellies, and tenth overall for all time Junior ‘A’ scoring. Weaver did manage to capture a Minto Cup title during his time in Junior lacrosse, but it was with the Richmond Roadrunners when they picked him up for their run at the cup in 1971.

Weaver got re-acquainted with his old club eight years ago; within a few years there was an opportunity to take over the Junior ‘A’ franchise with Forest Day, Bryan Jones, and current Alternate Governor Harry Ferguson, and the four decided to take a chance and see if they could put the ‘Bellies back on par with the big boys of the BCJALL. Weaver’s off the floor contributions have proven to be just as important as they were on the floor.

According to Junior ‘Bellies General Manager Doug Zack, the clubs current successes in all areas are largely due to Weavers easy going demeanour and savvy business sense. “That being said, Walt’s true passion is the ‘lacrosse’ side of the business,” Zack declares, “his experience and knowledge of the game is as relevant today as it was when he was playing.” Playing his minor and Junior days with Coquitlam, Zack grew up with a large distaste for the Salmonbellies, including Weaver. “They (the ‘Bellies) were the TRUE enemy, growing up I hated Walt along with all the other great Salmonbellies.

Ten years later as a Senior ‘Bellie myself, I recall hearing about the legend of Walt Weaver which made me picture him as this behemoth of an athlete.” Three years ago Zack came face to face with Weaver as he was being interviewed for the Assistant GM position. “It was then and only then did the ‘larger than life’ memory of Walt changed forever,” recalls Zack, “in my mind his physical stature may have changed, but not his stature. I still see him as one of the true legends of the game.”

Current co-executive Harry Ferguson was a referee for the years Weaver played in Junior and Senior lacrosse, and recalls a specific incident that made Weaver stand out in a big way. “In 1971 when he got picked up by the Roadrunners they were playing the mighty Peterborough Lakers at the fabled Queen’s Park Arena; as Walt was exiting the penalty box we ran into each other on the floor and I suffered six stitches from being hit with his stick, accidentally I assume!”

To heighten emotions even more, Tuesday night just happens to be the first time the Salmonbellies and Adanacs will face each other since the 2009 BCJALL finals which saw Coquitlam take game six in a tight 6-5 victory at Queen’s Park, advancing them to the Minto Cup.

Game time is 8:00PM at Queen’s Park Arena, with the retirement ceremony being held during the first intermission.

Playing on the Field lacrosse team which wasn’t as a high profile sport as the basketball or football teams were at the high schools level , but in box lacrosse in New west we had some of the most talented players and strongest teams in the lower mainland  so naturally that was carried over to our field team  . During my years playing HS field we won a few championships in the late 60’s against some strong Burnaby and Vancouver teams. Our dedicated coach was the late Doug Stout who was a great fan of box lacrosse committed his time coaching us in field game . 

Little did I know at the time that I would meet my life partner in 1967 , like many couples  in high school I first met my future wife Judi Jones in the upper hallway between Massey and Pearson I still remember seeing her for the first time as I was sitting on the ledge walking by me and my friends with her group and thinking I’d like to meet this gal, finally after a few weeks of smiling and a quick hello’s I got up the courage to talk to her and walk her home . Our first date was a school valentines dance which turned into a 53 year life time commitment 3 kids and 8 grandkids later we are still together. 

As the school is ready to come down and we can’t have a big reunion due to Covid I remember fondly some of my school friends but sadly a few have passed away many of them I still see .

 The fun times we had in class, getting 5 cent donuts every second Tuesday or a 20 cent hamburger in the old cafeteria , playing innocent tricks on some of the teachers remember Mr Jackson in shop ??

Our old school my be torn down but our memories of our school will be with us always. 

• Walt Weaver
• It’s another big lacrosse celebration for a longtime Ladner family that has given so much back to the sport for decades.
• Official ceremonies took place this week for the 2023 B.C. Sports Hall of Fame induction class, including the 1971 Minto Cup national junior champion Richmond Roadrunners. The GM and coach of that team was Ron Phillips.
• The longtime local resident led the Roadrunners on one of the most memorable runs in the history of the B.C. Junior “A” Lacrosse League (BCJALL).
• After the franchise had re-located from Vancouver to Minoru Arena that year, the Roadrunners stumbled out of the gate with an 0-5 record. That’s when the players began to buy into Phillips’ brand of lacrosse, playing feisty defence and relying on quick offensive breakouts.
• The team featured plenty of future Western Lacrosse Association stars including Dave and Brian Tasker, along with Dave Durant.
• Richmond would win 14 of its next 19 games to finish second in the regular season behind powerhouse Burnaby Cablevision.
• The Roadrunners took out New West in the semi-finals, setting the stage for a showdown with Burnaby in the championship series that eventually shifted to Queen’s Park Arena to accommodate crowds of more than 4,000. The memorable match-up went the distance with Richmond prevailing in game seven to earn the right to represent B.C. at home against Ontario champion Peterbrough in the Minto Cup.
• Phillips was able to add players to his line-up for nationals, including standout Burnaby goaltender Ted Gernaey and Salmonbellies star Walt Weaver.
• The additional weapons were needed as the Roadrunners prevailed in an epic series, highlighted by a 13-11 game seven victory in front of 5,000 fans crammed into Queen’s Park Arena.
• It was Phillips’ second Minto Cup, having been a member of the 1954 champion PNE Junior Indians as a player.
• Now, 89, he got a chance to catch up with some of his former players and staff at the hall of fame plaque unveiling ceremony on Wednesday and the gala banquet on Thursday night at the Fairmont Hotel.
• His family was also in attendance including his son Darcy, longtime president of Delta Minor Lacrosse and then the Delta Junior “A” Islanders. The latter tenure was highlighted by a run to the franchise’s first BCJALL title in 2016. Among the key players on that team was Ron’s grandson and Darcy’s son Jon Phillips, now a member of the National Lacrosse League’s Las Vegas Desert Dogs and the WLA’s Nanaimo Timbermen.