# New Westminster Salmonbellies

49°12′53″N 122°54′21″W﻿ / ﻿49.21472°N 122.90583°W﻿ / 49.21472; -122.90583
The New Westminster Salmonbellies are a Men's Senior 'A' lacrosse team located in New Westminster, BC. Their home arena is Queen's Park Arena. They compete as part of the Western Lacrosse Association and have won the Mann Cup 24 times, most recently in 1991. The 1968–1972 teams were collectively inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2004.
They won their first Mann Cup in 1915. Prior to 1932, they played as a field lacrosse team but in May 1932 box lacrosse was adopted for the senior league in British Columbia - and the Salmonbellies have been a box lacrosse team since then. The Salmonbellies have won the Mann Cup more than any other lacrosse team. They had won at least one Mann Cup in every decade since the inception of the trophy, before the 2000s.
Salmonbellie Alumni Paul Parnell, Wayne Goss, Eric Cowieson, Jack Bionda, Cliff Sepka, Dave Durante and Geordie Dean have all had their numbers retired by the team. There are more Salmonbellies alumni in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame than from any other team.
The Salmonbellie name arose from a taunt given by an opposing team's fan during an early game. The fan called the New West team "salmonbellies" referring to the fact that salmon was considered a lowly food at the time. But the players liked the name, concluding that the belly was the prime portion on the fish, so the name was adopted and has stuck for over a century. Curiously, the name is never spelled with a "y" even when one writes about an individual "Salmonbellie."
Salmonbellies vs. the World: The Story of Lacrosse's Most Famous Team & Their Greatest Opponents (Caitlin Press, 2013) by W.B. MacDonald, is an in-depth, illustrated book which shares stories of the players' lives, successes and heartbreaks.

## Founding

The New Westminster lacrosse club was founded on May 12, 1888, but did not play their first home game in the Royal City until June 8, 1889, a 3–1 loss to Vancouver.
It was stated in the May 11, 1888, issue of the New Westminster Daily British Columbian newspaper that "All lacrosse players are requested to meet on the cricket grounds this evening for the purpose of forming a lacrosse club."
On May 14, 1888, the Daily British Columbian informed that "On Saturday evening a meeting of lacrosse players was held and a club formed. Mr. Glover was appointed chairman pro tem and Mr. Lewis permanent secretary and treasurer. A committee was formed to draft rules and by-laws, and perform other duties in connection with the organization of the club. Practises [sic] will be held every Wednesday and Friday evening for the present, and it is to be hoped that every lover of the game will join the club and assist in making it a success in every way. It is the intention to try and arrange a match with Vancouver on July 1st."

## Mann Cup wins

* 1915–17
* 1920–25
* 1927
* 1937
* 1943
* 1958
* 1959
* 1962
* 1965
* 1970
* 1972
* 1974
* 1976
* 1981
* 1986
* 1989
* 1991

## Mann Cup MVPs

Salmonbellie Winners of the Mann Cup Most Valuable Player's Mike Kelly Memorial Trophy (Major/Senior A):
* 1943 Bill Wilkes
* 1944 Ike Hildebrand
* 1958 Norm McKay
* 1959 Jack Bionda (New Westminster O'Keefes)
* 1962 Jack Bionda (New Westminster O'Keefes)
* 1965 Les Norman
* 1970 Paul Parnell
* 1972 Paul Parnell
* 1974 Ken Winzoski
* 1976 Dave Durante
* 1981 Wayne Goss
* 1986 Geordie Dean
* 1987 Eric Cowieson (jointly held with Jim Meredith of the Brooklyn Redmen)
* 1989 Ben Hieltjes
* 1991 Geordie Dean

## All-time field lacrosse record

New Westminster Salmonbellies (Senior Amateur Field Lacrosse 1888-1931) :
| Season | Team | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PTS | PLAYOFFS |
| 1888 | New Westminster | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | did not play any games in 1888 |
| 1889 | New Westminster | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 9 | - | played challenge games in 1889 |
| 1890 | New Westminster | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 8 | Provincial Champions |
| 1891 | New Westminster | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 4 | |
| 1892 | New Westminster | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 24 | 21 | 6 | |
| 1893 | New Westminster | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 23 | 2 | |
| 1894 | New Westminster | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 19 | 12 | Provincial Champions |
| 1895 | New Westminster | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 14 | 10 | Provincial Champions |
| 1896 | New Westminster | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 16 | 28 | 2 | |
| 1897 | New Westminster | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 23 | 22 | 8 | Provincial Champions |
| 1898 | New Westminster | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 11 | 11 | Provincial Champions |
| 1899 | New Westminster | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 9 | 14 | Provincial Champions |
| 1900 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 8 | Provincial Champions |
| 1901 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 83 | 12 | 17 | Provincial Champions |
| 1902 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 85 | 14 | 14 | Provincial Champions |
| 1903 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 52 | 25 | 11 | |
| 1904 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | did not compete |
| 1905 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 130 | 36 | 20 | Provincial Champions |
| 1906 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 80 | 35 | 16 | Provincial Champions |
| 1907 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 60 | 35 | 12 | Provincial Champions |
| 1908 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 14 | 14 | won Minto Cup |
| 1909 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 29 | 8 | |
| 1910 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 31 | 43 | 2 | |
| 1911 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 30 | 55 | 6 | |
| 1912 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 35 | 70 | 9 | |
| 1913 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 53 | 43 | 8 | |
| 1914 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 53 | 34 | 8 | |
| 1915 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 11 | 10 | won Mann Cup |
| 1916 | suspended operations | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | retained Mann Cup; no challenges |
| 1917 | suspended operations | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | retained Mann Cup; no challenges |
| 1918 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 30 | 2 | |
| 1919 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 49 | 51 | 6 | |
| 1920 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 49 | 28 | 14 | won Mann Cup |
| 1921 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 23 | 13 | won Mann Cup |
| 1922 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 47 | 25 | 15 | won Mann Cup |
| 1923 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 79 | 23 | 20 | won Mann Cup |
| 1924 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 60 | 27 | 20 | won Mann Cup |
| 1925 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 65 | 51 | 18 | won Mann Cup |
| 1926 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 25 | 10 | |
| 1927 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 79 | 23 | 21 | won Mann Cup |
| 1928 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | no league play |
| 1929 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 25 | 12 | |
| 1930 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 63 | 27 | 17 | |
| 1931 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 14 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 91 | 41 | 24 | |
| New Westminster Salmonbellies (Professional Field Lacrosse 1909-1924) ||||||||||||||
| Season | Team | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PTS | PLAYOFFS |
| 1909 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 69 | 65 | 14 | won Minto Cup |
| 1910 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 52 | 38 | 16 | won Minto Cup |
| 1911 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 45 | 47 | 10 | |
| 1912 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 16 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 77 | 58 | 24 | won Minto Cup |
| 1913 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 47 | 32 | 10 | won Minto Cup |
| 1914 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 36 | 33 | 6 | won Minto Cup |
| 1915 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 91 | 68 | 14 | won Minto Cup |
| 1916 | suspended operations | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 1917 | suspended operations | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 1918 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 50 | 61 | 4 | |
| 1919 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 44 | 39 | 14 | won Minto Cup |
| 1920 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 83 | 71 | 15 | |
| 1921 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 117 | 103 | 20 | won Minto Cup |
| 1922 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 70 | 84 | 18 | won Minto Cup |
| 1923 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 15 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 84 | 69 | 16 | won Minto Cup |
| 1924 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 12 | 5 | won Minto Cup |

## All-time box lacrosse record

| Season | Team Name | Games | Win | Losses | Tie | GF | GA | Points | Playoffs |
| 1932 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 12 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 80 | 113 | 7 | did not qualify |
| 1933 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 245 | 150 | 36 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1934 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 356 | 295 | 28 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1935 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 4 | 20 | 0 | 310 | 375 | 8 | did not qualify |
| 1936 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 413 | 371 | 28 | defeated in BC Provincial Finals |
| 1937 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 28 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 543 | 380 | 44 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1938 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 421 | 378 | 30 | defeated in ICLL Finals |
| 1939 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 441 | 432 | 26 | defeated in ICLL Semi-Finals |
| 1940 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 408 | 419 | 14 | did not qualify |
| 1941 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 360 | 404 | 14 | did not qualify |
| 1942 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 23 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 269 | 227 | 30 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1943 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 286 | 222 | 24 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1944 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 380 | 256 | 37 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1945 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 321 | 345 | 18 | did not qualify |
| 1946 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 375 | 269 | 33 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1947 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 343 | 366 | 23 | defeated in ICLL Semi-Finals |
| 1948 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 297 | 316 | 18 | did not qualify |
| 1949 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 16 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 178 | 213 | 12 | did not qualify |
| 1950 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 30 | 12 | 17 | 1 | 384 | 451 | 25 | did not qualify |
| 1951 | New Westminster Commandos | 32 | 19 | 13 | 0 | 407 | 352 | 38 | defeated in ICLL Semi-Finals |
| 1952 | New Westminster Salmonacs | 32 | 19 | 13 | 0 | 447 | 366 | 38 | defeated in ICLL Semi-Finals |
| 1953 | New Westminster Salmonacs | 32 | 6 | 26 | 0 | 274 | 406 | 12 | did not qualify |
| 1954 | New Westminster Royals | 32 | 5 | 27 | 0 | 305 | 458 | 10 | did not qualify |
| 1955 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 32 | 6 | 24 | 2 | 295 | 376 | 14 | did not qualify |
| 1956 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 30 | 4 | 26 | 0 | 245 | 392 | 8 | did not qualify |
| 1957 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 30 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 291 | 282 | 30 | defeated in ICLL Semi-Finals |
| 1958 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 30 | 17 | 11 | 2 | 335 | 300 | 36 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1959 | New Westminster O'Keefes | 30 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 369 | 306 | 40 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1960 | New Westminster O'Keefes | 30 | 16 | 14 | 0 | 290 | 289 | 32 | defeated in ICLL Semi-Finals |
| 1961 | New Westminster O'Keefes | 30 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 356 | 246 | 51 | defeated in ICLL Finals |
| 1962 | New Westminster O'Keefes | 32 | 22 | 10 | 0 | 382 | 263 | 44 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1963 | New Westminster O'Keefes | 30 | 21 | 9 | 0 | 328 | 263 | 42 | defeated in ICLL Finals |
| 1964 | New Westminster O'Keefes | 32 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 336 | 298 | 37 | defeated in ICLL Finals |
| 1965 | New Westminster O'Keefes | 30 | 21 | 9 | 0 | 317 | 272 | 42 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1966 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 30 | 13 | 15 | 2 | 271 | 311 | 28 | defeated in ICLL Semi-Finals |
| 1967 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 30 | 13 | 17 | 0 | 284 | 329 | 26 | did not qualify |
| 1968 | New Westminster Salmonbellies (NLA) | 38 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 437 | 426 | 38 | won NLA pro championship |
| 1969 | New Westminster Labatt Blues (Snr A) | 18 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 306 | 107 | 34 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1969 | New Westminster Salmonbellies (WLA Pro) | 29 | 19 | 10 | 0 | 435 | 315 | 38 | defeated in Canadian Pro championship |
| 1970 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 30 | 22 | 8 | 0 | 423 | 320 | 44 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1971 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 31 | 22 | 9 | 0 | 384 | 295 | 44 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1972 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 36 | 25 | 11 | 0 | 430 | 382 | 50 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1973 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 25 | 7 | 18 | 0 | 317 | 384 | 14 | did not qualify |
| 1974 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 337 | 264 | 41 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1975 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 354 | 305 | 34 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 1976 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 358 | 309 | 29 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1977 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 307 | 289 | 24 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 1978 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 346 | 351 | 25 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 1979 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 30 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 396 | 370 | 35 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 1980 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 11 | 13 | 0 | 314 | 306 | 22 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1981 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 10 | 13 | 1 | 266 | 278 | 21 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1982 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 296 | 239 | 34 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1983 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 262 | 249 | 26 | defeated in preliminary round-robin |
| 1984 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 287 | 248 | 32 | defeated in Finals |
| 1985 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 11 | 13 | 0 | 226 | 214 | 22 | defeated Mann Cup |
| 1986 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 225 | 199 | 28 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1987 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 306 | 209 | 40 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1988 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 224 | 209 | 32 | defeated in Finals |
| 1989 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 282 | 192 | 42 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1990 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 223 | 180 | 34 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 1991 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 230 | 196 | 30 | Won Mann Cup |
| 1992 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 255 | 181 | 34 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1993 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 258 | 192 | 34 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 1994 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 20 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 223 | 164 | 32 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1995 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 25 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 274 | 186 | 44 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 1996 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 20 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 187 | 183 | 21 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 1997 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 20 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 174 | 179 | 19 | did not qualify |
| 1998 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 25 | 6 | 19 | 0 | 196 | 266 | 12 | did not qualify |
| 1999 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 25 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 220 | 225 | 23 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 2000 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 25 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 322 | 269 | 31 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 2001 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 20 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 222 | 201 | 21 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 2002 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 20 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 253 | 247 | 21 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 2003 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 20 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 229 | 263 | 13 | did not qualify |
| 2004 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 20 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 203 | 225 | 16 | did not qualify |
| 2005 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 17 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 215 | 188 | 21 | defeated in Semi-Finals |
| 2006 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 246 | 181 | 24 | defeated in Finals |
| 2007 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 18 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 217 | 167 | 31 | defeated in Finals |
| 2008 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 18 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 191 | 119 | 34 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 2009 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 180 | 141 | 28 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 2010 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 182 | 156 | 26 | defeated in Mann Cup |
| 2011 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | 18 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 165 | 137 | 24 | defeated in Finals |
| Total | 81 seasons | 2,039 | 1,152 | 854 | 33 | 26,642 | 22,447 | 2,337 | |