West Coast Woodsmen Lacrosse Travel Teams

John Olson

2023 Head Coach

I am looking forward to the unique opportunity of coaching boys from different associations, bringing them together as a team through practices and games, and giving them a new perspective on the game.  

I have coached some of the boys in box and or field lacrosse, through Team BC PeeWee, or Ridge Meadows, so I am familiar with most of the Woodsmen, and will work to get to know the rest of the team shortly.     

As mentioned, I have been a coach for both box and field lacrosse in Ridge Meadows since my boys started in the club in 2010.     I began my coaching experience as a teenager, helping my dad coach my younger brothers.  From there, I coached a U17 team in Burnaby in 2001, and a Midget A1 team in Burnaby in 2002.  I took some time off of coaching until 2010, when my oldest son Jack began playing lacrosse.     I now currently coach the Maple Ridge Secondary Junior Varsity Field Lacrosse team, I began as head coach last season (2016/17).     

My box lacrosse playing experience began in Burnaby when I was 5 years old, and continued in Burnaby until 2000.  Along the way, some minor lacrosse highlights include playing in the Jack Crosby tournament twice, and winning the Bantam and Midget A1 Provincial Championships.    I played 5 years of Junior A lacrosse for the Burnaby Lakers, playing in 5 Minto Cups, winning 2.  I was drafted 1st Overall in the WLA Draft in 2000 and played for the New Westminster Salmonbellies for 4 seasons.  I was also drafted 4th Overall to the NLL's Toronto Rock in 1999, where I sat out for 2 seasons to career prep, and eventually landed with the Vancouver Ravens in their first season in 2001.  I was traded to the Calgary Roughnecks in 2001 after 4 games with the Ravens, and played there until 2005. The highlight of my time in the NLL was being a part of the 2004 Champions' Cup winning team.     

My field lacrosse playing experience includes playing for the Burnaby Devils from U12 to U19.   I made team BC U19 as a 15 year old back in 1995, and earned a field lacrosse scholarship to NCAA Div 2 New York Institute of Technology.       

Again, looking forward to the challenge of bringing this group together to compete at the Oregon Classic tournament in July.       

Marcello Gonzales

2025/2026 Head Coach 

Like you, I am here to see all these young players develop and exceed in their lacrosse game. By doing that I adapt to each player’s individual learning style and challenge each of them to improve their lacrosse skill level and knowledge.  

My lacrosse playing experience began in Port Coquitlam in 1985 but took a backseat for a few years until my son Daytin started playing in 2004.  Missing the game, I started coaching Daytin and his teammates.  Daytin now plays NCAA Div 2 in South Carolina, while 10 other players I have coached went on to NCAA Div 1 and 2 teams on scholarships and 2 have signed with the NLL.  

With 14 plus years of coaching competitive levels I have a passion to motivate and watch the players achieve their goals, while also prioritizing and strategizing to be the best team. 

I am excited to have this opportunity and look forward to developing the next group of West Coast Woodsmen.